TOGETHER

On my way to what's next...

2012-01-26T14:31:00.001-06:00

... in a quick read of facebook updates, I saw this post. I asked my friend, William Boyd Chisum, if I could share it here.

I can remember a time that churches and pastors, when informed of an individual or group that God was using in a mighty way to reach the lost, would cross rivers and move mountains to try and get them into their church for a service. They didn't hold to the idea back then that "they themselves" were the only one God could use to reach the lost in their community, or inspire their church members to a closer relationship with God. The movement of the Holy Spirit should trump ego every time.~just saying (don't expect to get many comments..but those of us in the evangelistic ministry have ALL seen this)

Boyd is man of deep faith, and an outstanding Gospel musician. Having led Worship, and performed, in a variety of churches, his is a helpful perspective.

Wherever and whoever you are, if you're a Christian, then how is God using you to show and tell people about Jesus? Who will you invite to worship God with you this Sunday?

I’m working on Sunday’s sermon about trusting God.

2012-01-26T11:21:00.000-06:00

"Trust: God is Making a Way for You"

Worshiping together, we will hear Exodus 14. It is a story about remarkable trust; about a faithful people’s willingness to walk through walls of water, confident that as God led them, they wouldn’t get swept away, their enemies wouldn’t win, and that the best was yet to come.

We trust Jesus for our future, believing in His promise of the reality of Eternity. We’ve honestly sung, “Trust and Obey”

So, why is it sometimes so hard to trust His loving power and presence in the here-and-now?

Trust. Belief. Each, both, are influenced by our experience, and our expectation.

Which do you think comes first? Why?

United Methodism 101 online course registration open through Tuesday, Jan. 31

2012-01-25T15:21:00.005-06:00

Lifelong United Methodist?
New to United Methodism?

Whether you’ve been a United Methodist for five decades or five weeks, you maybe surprised at all there is to discover about our denomination.

United Methodism 101 isdesigned for new church members and anyone else wanting to know more about thedenomination and its history, teachings and structure.

In this course, you will learn more about United Methodist:

•	History
•	Structure
•	Beliefs
•	Ministries

About the Course
The course includes four modules, each with many interactive features. Eachmodule takes about one hour to complete. Move through the modules at your ownpace. Course preview.

Pre-register
No participants will be admitted once the course begins, so please pre-register beforeWednesday, Feb. 1.

Course Details:

Cost: $9.99

Dates: Feb. 1 – March 14

Credit: Upon successful completion, learners are awarded 1 SACEM CEU.

The dinner was good, the ministry inspiring

2012-01-24T18:39:00.001-06:00

Several of St. Philip's filled a table at Sunday's dinner hosted by Southwestern University for Kamina Methodist University (KMU).

The Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker was Rev. "Guy" Mande Muyombo, Director of KMU.

It was a great evening about an inspiring ministry making a significant difference in the world. We are praying to discern how St. Philip's can help support Kamina Methodist University.

Tomorrow's Sermon

2012-01-21T18:50:00.002-06:00

Our hands are only so big; our grasponly so wide. Even as we use both hands, our arms can bear only so much weight.

Our lives, like our hands, can holdonly so much. We learn to put things down, then pick others up, sometimesunsure about what needs holding next, trying to find and keep a right rhythm.And, then we resort to juggling – only to discover that our coordination can’tkeep everything up. We disappoint ourselves, and others, by what we drop.

In those moments when we aresurrounded by what remains of over-extending our reach and our purpose, it ishealing to remember that “release” is a gift from God. It is a comforting giftof the Holy Spirit when you are freed of what keeps you from living the lifefor which God make you. It is a powerful act of your discipleship when yourfaithfulness helps another person to discover how Jesus can bring release intoany situation, in any life.

Tomorrow as we worship Godtogether, my sermon series continues about S.T.A.R.T.2012 Strong learning about the key word “Release.” Come learn about how Godwill loose what you need to let go, and how God wants to use you to releaseothers.

A letter to you from Allie Klein

2012-01-18T11:57:00.000-06:00

In April of 2005, we welcomed Bishop Ntambo Nkulu Ntanda as as special Guest to St. Philip's. The Bishop of the North Katanga Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church taught us about our shared ministry with the people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). His visit inspired an outpouring of prayers, love, and support from St. Philip's that included our giving soccer balls, and Scouting Handbooks to children in the DRC. We also gave 90+ bicycles to the clergy in the North Kantanga Conference (the roads they travel unsuitable for cars).

We continue to help support ministries in the DRC through the connectional ministries of The United Methodist Church. Since Rev. Buchele joined our Staff Team, we've expanded our relationships in Africa working with several ministries in Ghana.

We've received a letter that reminded me to pray for the people of the DRC and their needs. It's an invitation to add presence and power of gifting to our prayers.

Dear St Phillips UMC,

Hello, my name is Allie Klein and I am writing this letterto invite the greater Georgetown community to a fundraising dinner thatSouthwestern is holding on January 22^nd at 6pm. Over the pastfew months I have had the pleasure of organizing this fundraiser for studentscholarships at Kamina Methodist University located in the Democratic Republicof the Congo.

KMU is a young United Methodist-related university whereemerging Congolese leaders can receive a world-class education without leavingthe Congo. This is a very rare educational opportunity considering that thereare so few institutions of higher education located in the Congo. Currently,600 students are enrolled at KMU. This number has been increasing since a groupfrom my hometown church, Highland Park United Methodist, financed theconstruction of dorm space. Now there is room for more students, butadditional financial resources are needed to support tuition. It only costs 400dollars a year to finance a student at KMU, a figure that I personally findshocking in comparison to US college tuitions. DR Congo is considered one ofthe most underdeveloped nations in the world, and many different types of aidefforts exist. I believe financing higher education is the most importantform of aid because it empowers people to develop their own country.

Please join us to hear Rev. Mande Muyombo, graduate ofAfrica University in Zimbabwe and St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City,KS, speak about his ministry in the Democratic Republic of the Congo asdirector of Kamina Methodist University. I believe this project embodiesSouthwestern’s core purpose of, "fostering a liberal arts community whosevalues and actions encourage contributions toward the well-being of humanity."I hope the community of Georgetown will join the students of Southwestern tohear Rev. Mande speak and gain a broader cross-cultural insight of thesurrounding world.

Would you please forward this invitation to persons orgroups in your church who may be interested in attending.

Sincerely,
Allie Klein
Southwestern ‘14

Because of generous underwriting support, the dinner is freeto the public. Please make a reservation to join us on January 22, 6:00pm, in the McCombs ballroom in the McCombs campus center on the Southwesterncampus using this email: KaminaMethodistUniversity@gmail.comFor more information about the dinner or the project pleasecontact me at mailto:KleinA@southwestern.eduor the Southwestern Chaplain at mailto:Religiouslife@southwestern.edu.

And bring your friends!

I'm going to join Allie for dinner on Sunday night. I hope to see you there, too.

Coordinated Church Meetings Night Begins

2012-01-11T19:11:00.000-06:00

From Guest Blogger:

Rev. Steven Buchele, our Associate Pastor

One of the Goals adopted by the 2011 Church Council was a coordinated Church Meeting Night that would combine many of the regular meetings so that they met on the same night. The reason was practical, to streamline the governing process so that Ministry Teams meeting at the 7:00 pm hour could make decisions that could be affirmed or ratified by the Church Council, meeting at 8:00 pm.

On second Thursdays, Administry Teams (Staff-Parrish Relations Committee, Board of Trustees, and Finance Committee) and specific Ministry Teams (e.g. Missions-Outreach, Connecting Ministries, Worship-Design, etc.) meet at 6:30 pm with a time of Worship that celebrates the Lord’s Supper in the Historic Chapel.

At 7:00 pm, each Teams in their respective location. At 8:00 pm on designated months, the Church Council convenes, and decisions that were made in previous meetings that need Council action, can be presented.

The hope is that this allows our leadership Teams to move in a more coordinated manner. This scheduling also helps us to be better stewards of our resources.

The fourth Thursdays of each month are encouraged for additional, or alternative meetings if needed.

Please understand that the implementation of this Goal is a "work in progress,"and the way we understand the Council’s Goal of a coordinated meeting night today, may not be the way we understand it in the future. It is an incremental experiment, one that we will refine or abandon if it is not proven to work for our ministry teams and the Glory of God.

What does a disciple of Jesus look like?

2012-01-10T12:09:00.000-06:00

What does a disciple of Jesus look like? I know that Christians couldanswer, “Look in the mirror.”

Since our doing is the being that is living our believing, howdo we describe what we look like a followers of Jesus?

These past two Sundays, beginning the year together worshiping God,we’ve shared John Wesley’s Covenant Renewal Service voicing the CovenantPrayer,

I am no longer my own by yours. Put me to what you will, rank me withwhom you will. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for youor laid aside for you, exalted for you or brought low for you. Let me be full,let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely andwholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal. And now,glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you are mine and I amyours. So be it. And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified inheaven. Amen.

A disciple looks like someone in whose life this prayer is answered.

We’ve also shared in Reaffirming our Baptisms, touching the water in theBaptismal Font and remembering our Baptism and being thankful for all theChrist continues to do in our lives. A disciple look like someone whose livingcontinues to reveal Emmanuel – God with us.

The United Methodist Church’s VitalCongregations Project refers to Matthew 22:36-40, saying that a disciple of Jesus

worships regularly;
helps make new disciples;
is engaged in growing in their faith;
is engaged in mission; and,
shares by giving in mission.

What do you say? What does a disciple ofJesus look like? What do you look like?

Thanks for sharing your answers, your descriptions, as a comment.

Ways to hands-on help

2012-01-06T09:01:00.000-06:00

Focus on Local Service and Mission Opportunities

“Use your freedom to serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13, New Living Translation)

Focusing on Local Service and Mission is a refinement and continuation of a 2011 goal in which we recognize the passion that St. Philip’s has for causes that serve the community. In 2012, we will look for opportunities to use our skills/talents/experience to meet the needs of the community by offering four opportunities for the church to serve the community as the hands and feet of Christ.

Austin Disaster Relief Network is one of our Missions Outreach partners. The needs listed below offer opportunities for St. Philip's to live our 2012 Goal to "Focus on Local Service and Mission." Thanks for prayerfully considering how you can help. Please, share with us - by comment on this blog, or contacting our Church Office - how you will participate.

Thanks!

JANUARY CLEAN-UP OPPORTUNITIES in BASTROP

NEW VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Dear Bastrop/Spicewood Volunteers,

Officials are projecting that Bastrop Relief efforts like most likely take 3-4 years to rebuild every home.
In Spicewood, most likely over 1 year. Unfortunately, 790 families did not have insurance and FEMA
only provided a maximum of $30,400 (minus any other relief expenses already given to a family).
This leaves the church, ministries, and local community to come up with the remaining dollars to
rebuild every families home (an additional $40k in materials per home with volunteer labor) and
volunteer labor force to keep costs down. In order to accomplish this God-sized task (all things
are possible with God!), ADRN is asking every volunteer to commit in this new year, minimally
one day over the next two months to the following clean-up efforts (love in action!):

1. Debris & Ash Clean-up: We will be cleaning up approx. 2-3 homes per weekend until the
end of January. Please click here to sign up for one or more Saturdays in January, to help us clean
up debris and ash from a home in Bastrop.

2. Chainsaw Clean-up: ADRN is establishing a team to do tree cutting and general brush removal
tasks, starting sometime in mid-late January. We will need volunteers that can operate chainsaws
as well as general laborers who can assist the chainsaw operators in removing and transporting
small trees and limbs. To volunteer, please email ADRN Bastrop/Spicewood Project Coordinator,
John Banks at banksjg01@yahoo.com.

3. Home Construction: If you have some building skills or are interested in learning construction
skills, you are perfect for this task! ADRN is joining with the Bastrop/Spicewood Long-Term
Commities tasks force of professional builders who are commited to help supervise/teach basic
construction skills so general volunteers will have an opportunity to serve in Bastrop and learn
valuable new skills. Every home will be built from the ground up so so every phase of construction
is needed (and can be taught). Help us build a resource base by contacting ADRN soon to inventory
what skills we have to offer those in need. Most likely, home construction will begin sometime in
February. To volunteer, please email ADRN Bastrop/Spicewood Project Coordinator,
John Banks at banksjg01@yahoo.com.

Abundance rejoices.

2011-11-30T04:00:00.000-06:00

"Atthis festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge," said the gentleman, takingup a pen, "it is more than usually desirable that we should make someslight provision for the poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the presenttime. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands arein want of common comforts, sir."

"Arethere no prisons?" [Asked Scrooge.]

"Plentyof prisons. But under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheerof mind or body to the unoffending multitude, a few of us are endeavoring toraise a fund to buy the poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. Wechoose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenlyfelt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?"

-From AChristmas Carol, by Charles Dickens

“We choose this time, because it is a time, of allothers, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. [Italics mine.] There is a different sentiment to our seasonalgifting.

Abundance rejoices.I heard it as persons talked about the joy of delivering the Thanksgivingmeals. St. Philip’s, you fed fifty-nine (59) families a holiday feast. I heardit – from members of some of those families who sought me out to thank youfor helping them have a holiday that they could not have had without you.

Abundance rejoicesin this edition of Money Matters, asyou read about how lives are transformed through your sharing Christ’s caring.

Abundance rejoicesgiving as you do each November through December, helping St. Philip’s meet allof its ministry commitments for the year.

Thank you for your faithful, generous, and consistentgifting!

Educators. I'm thankful for their presence.

2011-11-22T08:12:00.001-06:00

Discipleship includes 5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: Presence

[In this season of gratitude, I'm thinking about people for whom I'm thankful, persons who provide a service that eases, enhances my life. You have some in your life, too. So, between now and Thanksgiving, let's share this space to share stories about who they are, and what they do that causes us to thankfully think of them. Each day, I'll post a "I'm thankfully thinking of ________" story. Post your's as a comment.]

I'm thankfully thinking of educators.

I'm grateful for the presence of teachers and professors who helped me to learn, who opened my mind to new ideas and new ways of thinking. Their presence in my classrooms from Kindergarten through graduate studies encouraged me to appreciate and use God's gift of the ability to reason, to consider, to reflect, and to critique. They continue to guide my learning to new insights.

Questions

Who are you thankfully thinking of today?
What does s/he do that causes you to think thankfully of her/him?
How are your sharing your faith with that person?

Sam Bass Fire Department. I'm thankful for their service.

2011-11-18T06:50:00.001-06:00

Discipleship includes 5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: Witness

[In this season of gratitude, I'm thinking about people for whom I'm thankful, persons who provide a service that eases, enhances my life. You have some in your life, too. So, between now and Thanksgiving, let's share this space to share stories about who they are, and what they do that causes us to thankfully think of them. Each day, I'll post a "I'm thankfully thinking of ________" story. Post your's as a comment.]

I'm thankfully thinking of...

The Sam Bass Fire Department, the courageous men and women who are the first-line emergency responders in our neighborhood. These dedicated professionals are also personable, caring individuals who work well together. They are among the best people that you could have with you in a crisis. I'm appreciate their willingness to serve for others' well-being.

The Witness of saying, "Thanks!"

Sometimes, expressions of gratitude meet with a surprised response. When you hear something like, "You don't need to thank me; I'm just doing my job," you can respond with simple statement of faith. I like to say, "Your caring service reminds me of how Jesus cares. If you're not connected with a faith group, please come be my Guest at St. Philip's this Sunday."

Yes, 'witnessing' to what God is doing in your life really can be that easy.

Questions

Who are you thankfully thinking of today?
What does s/he do that causes you to think thankfully of her/him?
How are your sharing your faith with that person?

Thankful for their service? Tell us about it!

2011-11-17T11:31:00.001-06:00

With Thanksgiving a week from today, I'm thinking about the turkey. Diana, Lauren and I look forward to sharing the feast. With Wesley, home from college, and Diana's mom, visiting for the holiday, we are planning the meals to be special family times.

In this season of gratitude, I'm also thinking about people for whom I'm thankful, persons who provide a service that eases, enhances my life. You have some in your life, too. So, between now and Thanksgiving, let's share this space to share stories about who they are, and what they do that causes us to thankfully think of them.

Each day, I'll post a "Thankfully thinking of ________" story. Post your's as a comment.

Thankfully thinking of
I'm thankful for the staff of the Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District. I live in this "MUD," and I'm thankful for the men and women whose work ensures that my home has water, and that waste water is appropriately processed. I appreciate their efforts that help to keep my neighborhood attractive and enjoyable for its residents and guests.

Service as discipleship
St. Philip's Members (and, committed Guests) will have the opportunity in December to select a Ministry Team on which to serve for the following four (4) months. We living our 2012 Church Goal of "UPS" - utilizing persons serving - to help each Member live the discipleship expression of Service.

Our goal (and expectation) is that each Member will faithfully participate in one of the ministries of St. Philip's, affirming that every member is minister.

Watch our Church media for details.

A easy house-warming present

2011-11-16T08:18:00.001-06:00

A easy house-warming present

A story on the front page of today's Austin American-Statesman confirms what many of us suspected: people want to live in Texas. the Census Bureau reports that Texas is the prime destination. This means that if you don't already have new neighbors, then you probably soon will.

Are you ready to welcome them? An easy house-warming present is the gift of an invitation to come to St. Philip's with you. Strangers grow into friends when you invite them to Worship with you, to attend your small group with you, to join you at the table for dinner at our weekly Sacred SPACE meals (chili is on tonight's menu).

Questions

Who can you invite this week?
Who will you invite this week?

Give an "I'm thankful for you!" gift

A week from tomorrow is Thanksgiving?! A way to honor those persons who ease and enhance your life, is to give an "I'm thankful for you!" gift in their honor to St. Philip's.

When you provide our Finance Office with your gift, provide us with the name and address of the one you are honoring. S/he will receive a letter from the Church informing them that as s/he makes a difference in your life, s/he is making a difference in the lives of others through the ministries of St. Philip's.

"I'm thankful for you!" gifts need to be received no later than November 30. Contact Linda Bohlen, our Finance Minister, for more information.

So, how's your gifting?

2011-11-09T08:06:00.000-06:00

“Tryingto guess the future of interest rates has always been a great way torenew humility. Whenever I think interest rates can’t possibly golower, they drop again. More important, my 30 years of searching forgood fortunetellers has yet to produce results. The future is a greatequalizer.” -Scott Burns¹

Anyguessing about the future can renew humility. What we know in Jesusis that God unfolds the future, continually giving us what we needand giving us more than enough for ourselves so that we can give forothers.

So,how's your gifting?

Today'sDailyBible Reading,Matthew25, reminds me that your gifting to St. Philip's shares Christ'scaring “with the least of these” as we feed the hungry, welcomesstrangers, clothe (especially 'coat') the chilled, help providemedical care, and offer relief to prisoners. We do that locally,partnering with helping agencies, and globally through ourconnectional – shared – ministries supported through our UnitedMethodist Apportionments. Jesus says that when we've given to“the least,” we've given to Him.

So,how's your gifting?

Curiouswhy I thank members of St. Philip's for their faithful, generous,and consistent gifting a man observed that some Church Members seemto give very little, doubting that they were being at all 'generous.' That invited a conversation about generosity, and we explored how itis both about quantityand qualityof giving and living.

So,how's your gifting?

Discussinghow St. Philip's (like many churches) comes into the final weeks ofeach year wrestling with the anxiety of whether or not we will havethe resources available to do all that God is calling us to do here,a women talked about families who pay more each month to their TVservice provided than they give to the Church. That invited aconversation about how easily we can be influenced to confuseentertainment, which is self-receiving, with entertaining, which isto show radical hospitality – even to the 'least of these.'

So,how's your gifting?

Thankyou for your faithful, generous, and consistent gifting. And, thanksfor you extra giving – in quantity and quality – that will helpSt. Phillip's to end 2011 fiscally strong.

WorshipingGod together as St. Philip's this Sunday, you will learn how you cangive yourself to someone else in honor of the One who gave Himselffor you.

1 http://assetbuilder.com/blogs/scott_burns/archive/2011/11/02/when-will-cd-yields-start-to-rise.aspx

Praying your "I can't ____________."

2011-10-24T08:39:00.000-05:00

Praying, we center ourselves with God. We trust in God's loving care of us to the extent that we do trust. In a similar way, we believe to the extent that we believe. God's presence does not depend on our belief, nor does God impose God's love on us. Our trust, our belief, opens our souls to receive and accept what God is about in our lives and in the world.

From yesterday's 9:30 Worship Service, a Sermon take-away was to pray specifically about one of your "I can't's - something in life that your first response to is "I can't."

Explore with God how to change your response to acknowledge that "God can." Open yourself to the faithful reality of your response ability. Look and listen for God's direction in reshaping how you are able to respond in different ways to a situation.

Zombies and Vampires

2011-10-23T06:53:00.001-05:00

As the TV commercials and other ads for local haunted houses have increased this past week, I've resisted mentioning that I'll talk about zombies and vampires in this morning's Sermon.

As I catch up on the overnight news, I'm wondering if I made the right decision. Since many people in our world are struggling with how to live, they're probably wrestling with the ideas of what happens to them after they die.

As I've wrestled with Psalm 90 (today's Scripture Lesson; and, the text from which I'm preaching) about Understanding Eternity, I learned that as God has made our very existence, God also lets what we do with our time be entirely up to us - your's is to choose.

With Psalm 90, I've listened to and studied John 14 because that's the clearest teaching that Jesus gives about life after death. Read it. Clearly, when believers die, we don't become zombies. Or vampires.

Ah, I hear the question coming: What about non-belivers?

God's love will spare anyone from deading [we really can't that living] like that. God wouldn't inflict anyone deading like that on the rest of us, either.

I'm looking forward to worship God with you this morning!

[Photo of Zombies: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Herrick/gallery2. Photo of Vampire: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vampire_world_bank_protest16.jpg.]

"Generous for Transforming the World"

2011-10-02T07:28:00.004-05:00

Worshiping God together this morning with St. Philip's, we are going to see and hear why God is extravagantly generous to the world.

This post's title is also the title of the Sermon that I will preach this morning.

Earlier this week, I asked my twitter followers and fb friends for at least one (1) reason why they are generous. As you read their replies, think about why you are generous.

They replied:

Because it is the right thing to do?

Because generosity begats generosity?

Because a world in which most people are generous is a much nicer place to live and that needs to start somewhere?

I would like to note a couple of things: 1) Generosity should not be only pre-mediated. 2) Generosity should be a 7 day a week way to live. 3) Generosity in the little things can be as important as generosity in the big things.

Because I want to be.

Because I want my kids to see it and learn.

Because it feels good.

Because all I have belongs to God who will choose how I use it. Living with an open heart and open hand is awesome!

Guilt.

If you want to be alliterative, how about this.. Because of the GENeration(s) that preceded us.. Most of us get our values from those who reared or influenced us.

Because Jesus tells me to.

Because of Gods generosity to me, I also can be generous to others!

Because I feel blessed and want to bless others!

Because it makes the world nicer, for everybody. Because it is pleasing to the spirit and begets in kind. And because a generous spirit actually helps me to mellow and cope better -- it's more forgiving of inconvenience, it's easier on the blood pressure, it does not expect pay-back, but is generous when it's given. It's just friendlier, all round. And makes me friendlier -- to others and myself. Generous is expansive. Extend your hand in generosity. Stinginess is binding, even constricting. Close your hand in holding back. Except in matters of the waistline, it's much more pleasant, for me, to be generous. And a pleasant spirit is easier on everyone!

To whom much is given; much is required.

You are generous, sir, because you are willing to meet a friend for tea on short notice, just because he needs to talk!

SV and I give generously because 1. We can. 2. Choices we make in order to give re-frame who we are as Christ's follower. 3. To make a difference in one person/family/group/place.

Gee, I guess you could say that we've been generous with our opinions on this subject . . .

"A Christmas Carol" Sponsorships Available

2011-09-28T19:23:00.001-05:00

A Christmas Carol
by Charles Dickens

(As Condensed by Himself, for his Readings)
with
Dale Schultz as Charles Dickens

Friday, December 2, 2011, Seven o’Clock in the Evening

St. Philip’s Family Life Center

As a Christmas Gift to the Community, no Admission charged.
A suggested individual donation of $10.00 is a gift to the mission of St. Philip's.

Sponsorships are gifts that defray the costs of this production.
They are are now being received in three levels:

Impresario

$100.00, acknowledged by a full-page advertisement in the Playbill;

And, receives a joyous proclamation as the show begins

Producer

$50.00, acknowledged by a half-page advertisemnet in the Playbill

Director

$25.00, acknowledged by a quarter-page advertisement in the Playbill

Please, direct your inquiries to:

Dr. Dale Schultz, 512.244.2175, or drdale@stphilipsumc.org

Please, direct your Sponsorship to:

St. Philip’s United Methodist Church

16321 Great Oaks Drive, Round Rock TX 78681

Sponsorship commitments and funds are due no later than November 15.

St. Philip’s is hearts opened and mind enriching in making

disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Extravagant Generosity. Really.

2011-09-28T16:43:00.000-05:00

Business people (especially CFO types) may wonder how weChristians do it, how we sustain and grow the ministry of the Church withoutmembership dues or fees. Even the ones who are Christians can’t fully explain‘how’ it works when a person or family makes and keeps the faith commitment toTithe and, in spite of economic down-turns, still has enough and usually atleast a little more.

Since several of you have asked, I suspect that others arewondering, about how to calculate your Tithe, here’s a formula:

Your income x .10 = God’s Tithe.10%. And, yes, that really is the biblical minimum guide for our gifting,because it all really does belong to God.

Living God’s extravagant generosity requires faith. No doubtabout that. Realizing – really knowing– that everything belongs to God, and we are entrusted as stewards withthe assets in our care requires faith. No doubt about that, either.

To those who have thanked me for St. Philip’s annualFinancial Stewardship Campaign: you’re welcome.

To those who have asked me why we do this year after year: Someone has yet to offer a moreeffective way to help Church Members intentionally consider how the Gospelinforms, shapes, and guides their gifting in an expression of discipleship thathelps the financial leadership be good stewards in the planning of mission andministry.

It’s the Members of St. Philip’s – each of whom promisedwhen they joined to faithfully participate in the ministries of the church bytheir prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness – that we ask to completean Estimate of Gifting form and bring it to be consecrated – set-part andblessed – this Sunday as we worship God together.

[As Rev. Steven Buchele reminded me, “Another way to thinkof it is that God wants us to keep 90% of what is provided.” Steven, thanks!]

We continue because the needs continue

2011-09-23T10:27:00.000-05:00

St. Philip's continues to give witness to God's extravagant generosity in risk-taking mission as we respond to the needs of victims of the recent wildfires...

Dear St. Philips:

Thank you for your wonderful response to our call for helpfor the "adopted" family from Bastrop. We met with anincredibly appreciative family on Wednesday, we prayed with them, and wevisited with them. They went back to Bastrop on new tires that youprovided them, with 4 boxes of clothing, new supplies, and a very substantialamount of gift cards that will be of tremendous benefit to Daniel, Joline,Nathan, and Royce. It was an emotional, moving moment for them and us,and one that I will probably never forget. I thank God for your support,and the way that you helped that family.

We now move forward with our second family from AustinDisaster Relief Network. The situation is slightly different from thefirst family, but the need is still great. The family lives in Paige,mother is Angela, father's name is James, daughter's name is Jamie, and son isJames Jr. Their house burned down, but they have received a very smallamount from FEMA - not near enough to rebuild their house. They areliving in a hotel until October 10, at which point they will move to a traveltrailer. Their dream is to rebuild their house, and request our help withthat dream. To that end they request gift cards from Home Depot, Walmart,and HEB (the HEB gift cards will allow for food savings to be reinvested inrebuilding the home). Daughter's lap top is very important to her studies- it was destroyed and a "second hand" lap top is on the wishlist. Father lost his steel toed boots (size 9 1/2 - 10), slightly wornboots would be a help. Full size blankets are also a request. Daughter is very avid reader (liked the series "Twilight"), so booksthat 14 year old girls would enjoy would be helpful.

Again, we have the funds, what we really need are volunteersto go purchase or get from their home closet or garage, and be reimbursed fortheir expenses on the new purchases. Please know that you can call me withquestions or concerns at 992-8401. May God bless you, and thank you forall you do.

Richard LaCagnina Jr.

Missions/Outreach Ministry Team Leader

"Presence' touches, transforms lives. Where are you?

2011-09-20T16:23:00.001-05:00

Discipleship includes 5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: Presence

Rich Alcorn, thanks for taking this photo (below). After our 9:30 worship Service this past Sunday, Richard LaCagnina (center) answers questions from dozens of Church Members who want to serve on our Wildfires Response Team and share Christ's caring with our adopted family.

Today, I'm sharing this space with Richard as he updates us on our Wildfires Response...

Dear St. Philips:

The response has been sensational to our request for assistance with our adopted family. My sincere thanks for your response and your support. Couple of updates to anyone interested in assisting:

1. Our first opportunity to share the gifts provided by our church is this Wednesday afternoon. I anticipate further contact with the family after Wednesday, but that will be the first opportunity to share our gifts.

2. Update to the pant size for Daniel - the pant length is 32.

3. We have had somewhat of a shift in strategy for the gifts we are providing. If you are planning on purchasing clothing for the family, may I suggest a gift card instead? There are reasons behind the request, including flexibilty for the family on their needs, reduced risk of purchasing clothing they can't use, space and storage that they don't currently have, and the possibility of future use by a second adopted family (once current family needs are temporarily in place). My suggestion is Wal-Mart or HEB. If you are providing slightly used clothing from your home, the need still exists.

4. We mentioned specific requests Sunday for cell phones and tires for the family, those have been purchased, and are no longer on the list.

Thank you

Richard LaCagnina Jr.

Missions/Outreach Ministry Team Leader

St. Philip's, your prayers and gifts for our adopted family - and, with all of the families displaced by the wildfires - are beautiful and powerful expressions of Christ's presence with them.

WILDFIRES RESPONSE: WHAT'S NEXT

2011-09-18T06:00:00.002-05:00

Richard LaCagnina, our Missions/Outreach Ministry Team Leader, reports that we are working with Austin Disaster Response Network in responding to the wildfires. We have "adopted" a family whose home was destroyed in Bastrop.

Please, pray for:

Daniel (Dad)
Joline (Mom)
Nathan (8-year-old son)
Royce (5 year-old son)

With funds received, we are working to secure immediate needs.

You can help. We need persons who will serve as our Response Team to purchase specific items, and deliver them to our adopted family (currently staying in Giddings).

Call Richard LaCagnina, 512.992.8401 to serve on our Response Team.

Also, you can help by giving new, or gently worn (clean, please) clothes. Sizes:

Dad: Size 9 1/2 wide shoes; 34" pants; "Large" shirt
Mom: Size 9 1/2 shoes; 18-20 pant; "Large" shirt/blouse
8 yr.-old: Size 6 shoes; 'husky' size 12 or 13 pants/shorts; "Large" youth size shirt
5 yr.-old: Size 13 shoe (youth); size 5 pants/shorts; "Small" youth size shirt

Bring the clothes to our Family Life Center, placing them in the marked areas.

Call Richard LaCagnina, 512.992.8401 to serve on our Response Team.

God often gives us unexpected opportunities to witness to our faith.

2011-09-16T15:21:00.002-05:00

Discipleship includes 5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: Witness

God often gives us unexpected opportunities to witness to our faith. For example, last Friday morning, Scott telephoned. He and his family are active members of St. Philip's. He is an executive with a major insurance company, supervising a significant portion of the claims from the local wildfires.

Planning a September 11 Memorial Service to be broadcast in Bastrop County, he asked if I'd record some "words of comfort." Being created and expressed from a corporate entity in a secular setting, we talked about it needing to be "the Gospel without being the Gospel" (my words). I was humbled to be asked, and honored to have the opportunity to extend St. Philip's ministry.

Here's the text of my recording:

Good morning, my name is Dale Schultz.

I invite you to stop with me for a few minutes on this Patriot’s Day to

look back, look around, and look ahead

as we share the tenth anniversary of 9.11.

Looking back.

We remember the horror of this morning, ten years ago.

We remember where we were and what we were doing

when we learned of the attacks on our Country

and the victims in New York, in the Pentagon, then in a field in Pennsylvania.

Our hearts hurt for them, and for their families.

Looking around.

Our American spirit has claimed each place where the horrible happened as a sacred space, memorializing the ones who died

and honoring the ones who lived through those uncertain hours.

We are proud that we would not allow tragedy to triumph.

We rebuilt, repaired, and renewed our commitment to freedom, peace, and justice.

Looking ahead.

We are too smart to be naïve that the ‘war on terror’ is forever won.

We will continue to be diligent, aware, and responsive to threats against our life and future.

We will work together to create, secure, and sustain

the best for ourselves, our children, and our shared life together.

Closest to home, we know that today’s soot and the smell of smoke will not linger.

We are hurting; yet, we can ease each other’s’ pain.

We are scared; yet, we can give each other courage.

We are angry; yet, we can offer each other joy.

We are tired; yet, we can ease each other’s burden so that everyone can rest.

We may feel hopeless; yet, we can inspire in each other: purpose.

With American spirit and Texas tenacity

we will rebuild our homes, repair our lives, and renew our commitment

to live in strong and dynamic communities.

We will work with each other, neighbor helping neighbor,

strangers coming alongside to help and becoming friends.

We will fill each Patriot’s Day with memories of new determination,

new beginnings, and new life.

Neither terrorist attack nor wildfires can rob us of our future.

God bless you. God bless Bastrop County. And, God bless the United States of America.

You noticed the last line? I'm sorry, Scott, but I couldn't not offer that blessing. It's who I am. As I recorded the message, I felt their eyes looking over my shoulder from the picture on the shelf behind my desk.

I decided that you could edit out the blessing, and use the rest of the recording.

As Paul Harvey would say, "And now the rest of the story..."

Some courageous businessmen and businesswomen decided to play my message in its entirety - including the blessing. They bravely witnessed to their faith. Scott, thanks for your faithfulness.

Question

What will you do to witness to your faith today?

2011-09-16T15:20:00.000-05:00

Discipleship includes 5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: Witness

God often gives us unexpected opportunities to witness to our faith. For example, last Friday morning, Scott telephoned. He and his family are active members of St. Philip's. He is an executive with a major insurance company, supervising a significant portion of the claims from the local wildfires.

Planning a September 11 Memorial Service to be broadcast in Bastrop County, he asked if I'd record some "words of comfort." Being created and expressed from a corporate entity in a secular setting, we talked about it needing to be "the Gospel without being the Gospel" (my words). I was humbled to be asked, and honored to have the opportunity to extend St. Philip's ministry.

Here's the text of my recording:

Good morning, my name is Dale Schultz.

I invite you to stop with me for a few minutes on this Patriot’s Day to

look back, look around, and look ahead

as we share the tenth anniversary of 9.11.

Looking back.

We remember the horror of this morning, ten years ago.

We remember where we were and what we were doing

when we learned of the attacks on our Country

and the victims in New York, in the Pentagon, then in a field in Pennsylvania.

Our hearts hurt for them, and for their families.

Looking around.

Our American spirit has claimed each place where the horrible happened as a sacred space, memorializing the ones who died

and honoring the ones who lived through those uncertain hours.

We are proud that we would not allow tragedy to triumph.

We rebuilt, repaired, and renewed our commitment to freedom, peace, and justice.

Looking ahead.

We are too smart to be naïve that the ‘war on terror’ is forever won.

We will continue to be diligent, aware, and responsive to threats against our life and future.

We will work together to create, secure, and sustain

the best for ourselves, our children, and our shared life together.

Closest to home, we know that today’s soot and the smell of smoke will not linger.

We are hurting; yet, we can ease each other’s’ pain.

We are scared; yet, we can give each other courage.

We are angry; yet, we can offer each other joy.

We are tired; yet, we can ease each other’s burden so that everyone can rest.

We may feel hopeless; yet, we can inspire in each other: purpose.

With American spirit and Texas tenacity

we will rebuild our homes, repair our lives, and renew our commitment

to live in strong and dynamic communities.

We will work with each other, neighbor helping neighbor,

strangers coming alongside to help and becoming friends.

We will fill each Patriot’s Day with memories of new determination,

new beginnings, and new life.

Neither terrorist attack nor wildfires can rob us of our future.

God bless you. God bless Bastrop County. And, God bless the United States of America.

What will you do to witness to your faith today?

Needing space - sacred space

2011-09-15T12:54:00.000-05:00

5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: Service

With a nod to Capt. Kirk, space may - or, may not - be the final frontier.

It’s the weekly morning when I narrow my focus toward the coming Sunday and I’m distracted by the enormity of this week. So I’m reminding myself of the basic of project management about eating an elephant one bite at a time. If you’re not having that kind of week, too, then you’ve probably have had one, so you can relate to my need to settle, even briefly, into a space where I can give my full attention to whom I’m with and what I’m doing.
Space. Yesterday evening begin the first season of St. Philip’s “Sacred SPACE.” As 80 persons shared dinner, then moved into a variety of classes, I was reminded that one of the vital services of the Church is to provide ‘space’ for the relationship-building and faith learning of spiritual formation.
We do that well on Sunday mornings, providing opportunities to Worship God, and Sunday School classes for all ages. Both set a beat in each week. Our new Wednesdays’ programming is a helpful addition. Those pulses of our lives as the Church together set a rhythm for our discipleship, for our daily living as Jesus followers.
Questions:
Where and when are you keeping a ‘sacred space” in your life”
With whom are you sharing it.

Before this weekend ends, make a plan

2011-09-11T18:11:00.000-05:00

A Guest post from Mary Powell, our Adjunct Spiritual Director:

Please prepare your own family for evacuation as we know the fire danger may not be over for weeks to come. Discuss with the entire family where you will meet away from the house (at our church or a school?) should you be separated at the time a problem arises. Collect the items listed below that can be placed by your door to be loaded and/or carry them in your car for the duration of imminent danger.

Wildfire Evacuation Checklist

This list in PDF format

Dawn, 9.11.11

2011-09-11T06:39:00.001-05:00

Across this land, dawn lights a day of mixed emotions. Each citizen of the United States has different needs in remembering.

The past possesses only the power we grant. It has shaped the present as we have allowed.

We could have cowered from the attacks on 9.11; instead, our national resolve was to live seeking first the peace and justice that characterize our freedom, knowing that peace requires persistent work, and that justice, to be truly just, must supersede our sentiments and inclination for revenge.

²⁵ “Therefore, I say to you, don’t worry about your life, what you’ll eat or what you’ll drink, or about your body, what you’ll wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds in the sky. They don’t sow seed or harvest grain or gather crops into barns. Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than they are? ²⁷ Who among you by worrying can add a single moment to your life? ²⁸And why do you worry about clothes? Notice how the lilies in the field grow. They don’t wear themselves out with work, and they don’t spin cloth. ²⁹But I say to you that even Solomon in all of his splendor wasn’t dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If God dresses grass in the field so beautifully, even though it’s alive today and tomorrow it’s thrown into the furnace, won’t God do much more for you, you people of weak faith? ³¹ Therefore, don’t worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ ³² Gentiles long for all these things. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore, stop worrying about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." -Jesus (Matthew 6:25-32, CEB)

What in your home is a visible witness to your faith?

2011-09-09T13:44:00.000-05:00

5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: Witness

One day, Tonya Martin shared a picture of her newly-decorated wall on her facebook page. Tonya, thank you for allowing me to share your story.

So, here's the back story on the cross mural:

My eat-in kitchen space is rectangular and I have a long space on the back wall that I have been struggling with how to "decorate" it. It's kind of an awkward expanse of bare space. I have looked and looked at artwork and other solutions but nothing seemed quite right. SO, I was in church by myself during the Communion service where the sermon was about Breaking Bread. You asked the congregation to think about what reminders we have of God in the place where we break our bread - and I thought to myself, "None." I am still early in my faith journey, although I have been a baptized Christian for many years. I do not always speak freely about God, nor do I have religious reminders displayed in my home. But lately I have been more drawn to meaningful Bible verses, religious symbols and the like. My 2 1/2 year-old daughter bought me a new Bible for Mother's day (her idea) - I definitely think that God has been reaching out to me and I am listening more. He spoke to me loud and clear that day in church. As I thought about my response to your question, followed by the sentiment of "how sad," it just hit me - "Of COURSE!" The solution to decorating the wall was clear to me, and I knew my husband would be thrilled. I would find some framed art with a Bible verse that I liked, and surround it by different kinds of crosses... it just seemed too simple and like, "Why hadn't I thought of this before?"

The artwork says "May the Lord bless you, keep you, and give you peace." The crosses are all different, and I carefully selected each cross thinking about my family. After I put it up, we each picked out a favorite, and we talked about what the cross symbolizes.

My children face that wall when they eat every meal. I see that wall every time I walk into my house. It is settling, it is beautiful, and it somehow speaks to everyone that sees it. I love it, and I love that I was inspired by your words. It has special meaning to me because of that. Because I was sitting in church on Communion Sunday and the Lord chose to speak directly to me that day - and better yet, I was listening!

_______

Question

What in your home is a visible witness to your faith?

1,386 and 9.11 and choosing our focus

2011-09-08T16:35:00.000-05:00

5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: Service

I usually like to include a picture in my posts (occasionally a video) for the power in the visual. I’m not using one today as I write about 1,386; and, 9.11. Instead, I’m scrubbing a brain stain*.

1,386 homes destroyed in Bastrop County by the wildfires. That’s the number being cited today; and it doesn’t include the losses in other counties. I’ve seen enough pictures of fire today. Too many of us in central Texas live under a smoke-tinged sky.

9.11, even as we call it Patriot Day and look to remember something horrible in a healthy way has forever seared mental images of the flames in the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field. I’ve seen enough pictures of fire today.

You have, too, because we distinguish them from candles’ flickers and hearth-sides’ gentle glow. There is too much raw destruction with death in its wake. Our compassion and grief, like our memories, sees with the heart. Our eyes need a rest; so, there are no pictures in this post.

Please, don’t confuse this omission as a turning away. I’m simply choosing to look at the ways that we are serving the first-line responders, and the families displaced by the fires. And, I’m looking at how we serve Christ as we choose to love and live like Jesus, all the while knowing that there are persons with whom we share this fragile planet who wish us dead for no other reason than we are citizens of United States of America.

1,386. Really, 1,386+.

9.11, with life as we knew it forever changed.

Our serving will continue. It expresses who we are. It is how we choose live.

Questions

On what images are you choosing to focus today?
How are you helping in response to the Texas wildfires?
As we approach the tenth anniversary of 9.11, how are you remembering something horrible in a healthy way?

* A friend gave me the phrase, “brain stain,” to describe an image so potent that, once seen, leaves a difficult-to-clean memory residue.

Please, we need socks. Help a firefighter.

2011-09-06T17:04:00.000-05:00

As of this posting time, there are no fires in the Brush Creek community; however, the situations with the various fires are rapidly changing. I suggest you search the Austin TV stations, then bookmark them for later reference.

Thanks to whomever shared this link; its a helpful visual from the Texas Forest Service Fire Activity.

Our response and relief to the wildfires is posted on the homepage of our web site. Because of your faithful, generous, and consistent gifting to our annual Budget, our Missions Outreach Team has been able to direct $500 to immediately purchases items on that list.

We are a collection location; we're partnering with ecumenical and interfaith agencies throughout the area to distribute the items where they are most needed. We are receiving items from 9 am - 4 pm each weekday in our Family Life Center; from 8 am - Noon on Sunday. With events on-campus tonight, tomorrow, and Thursday nights, you can probably drop-off items in the evenings, too.

This afternoon, I visited with Jerod Rebecek, a firefighter with Lake Travis Fire Rescue. (Many of you know Jerod, son of Larry and Sandi, and a former Youth Ministry leader on our Staff Team). When I asked him how, along with our prayers, St. Philip's could help he and his colleagues, he didn't hesitate.

"Socks," he said.

He went on to tell me why. I won't repeat that conversation; but you can imagine the relief that a change of socks could be to the men and women who are on their feet for hours, weighed down by protective clothing as they battle flames that seem to be alive and doing their best to win.

My reply: "We can do that. We will do that."

Here's what you can do now:

Pray for the firefighters, and for the families displaced by the fires;
Make a financial gift. Donate online and write "Wildfire Relief" in the memo section on the donation form;
Or, go shopping for items on the list; however, remember that when the Church purchases using your financial gifts, we enhance the 'buying power' and are able to make each dollar go farther; and,
Help St. Philip's sock. Whether through your financial gift, or with ones that you buy and give, help us get so socks in the feet of the firefighters.

Our Response and Relief to the Wildfires

2011-09-06T11:35:00.000-05:00

5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: Presence

We are a presence of Christ in our response and relief to the wildfires. Holly, thanks for providing what I share here:

St. Philip’s is in prayer for the families displaced by the Central Texas wildfires and our first-line responders. In an effort to provide assistance to those in need, we are now accepting the following items in the Family Life Center:

· Diapers sizes 3 or 4
· Baby Wipes
· Gatorade in 20 oz. bottles
· Bottled water
· Clif Bars
· Heavy duty trash bags
· Chapstick

If you would rather make a monetary donation, St. Philips will be receiving financial gifts for the relief and response to the wildfires. With our 501(c)3 not for profit tax exempt status we will be able to make your financial gifts go further in meeting the needs these wildfires have created. Please mark the memo section of your check “Wildfire Relief”.

In addition to the items listed above, there is a need for appliance sized cardboard boxes. If you have any questions, please contact the Church office at 244-2175.

Thank you,

Holly G. Zeiner

Publications Asst.

St. Philips UMC

A resource for Daily Prayer from the Northumbria Community

2011-08-31T06:01:00.000-05:00

I live a rhythm of prayer that helps me to stay connected to God. It begins with my private Morning Prayers. (Our Staff Team invites you to join us at 10:00 each morning in our historic Chapel for our shared Morning Prayers.)

When away from home (as I am today) I'm thankful that some of my favorite devotional resources are available on-line. After my early 'Amen,' I remembered that someone asked me to send the link to the resources of the Northumbria Community.

I'm sorry that I don't remember who it was whom asked; I hope that you follow this blog. Here's the link to the Daily Office. The on-line version conveniently includes the biblical readings for each day.

The Community's offering this free resource is a gift to the world.

We care for the homeless because we can

2011-08-31T05:52:00.002-05:00

5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: Gifts

On the first Sunday of each month, we receive a special Communion Offering. Through this gifting, our Missions Outreach Team helps to share Christ's caring through one of our partner ministries.

This Sunday, September 4, the Communion Offering will help us serve the homeless in the Austin metro area through the ministry of Church Under the Bridge.

Thank you for your faithful, generous, and consistent gifting throughout the year that helps St. Philip's continually be a presence of Christ in the world. Thanks, too, for gifting through special offerings - your giving helps us to do even more!

Time to be soul-open and perspective placing

2011-08-29T21:38:00.000-05:00

5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: Prayers

In yesterday's Sermon, I mentioned that God gives us friends to help us climb toward, then stand sure-footed, on the heights of life. I'm at a retreat center in East Texas with a group of colleagues who help me. We've covenanted to meet once a quarter for personal growth and professional development.

…

Between meetings, I've come to the Chapel to pray. I'd have enjoyed the after dinner conversation with my colleagues, but I need some time to be soul-opened and perspective placing in Holy stillness. There is where, how, I need to pray tonight. Without distraction. No agenda – though there is a lot that I could say to God about several things. Here, now, it is enough to simply have walked on to Holy Ground, entered Sacred Space, and be.

In this attitude, enveloped in this quiet, I feel very close to God. Awed that the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of the universe allow me – allows and welcomes any of us, all of us, into 'Selah' moments.

…

Rev. Steven Buchele, thank you for reminding us, yesterday, of the power of “Selah' moments; of the holiness held in th times when we stop, look, and listen to God.

Questions

Where is your quiet, distraction-less space that you can enter to pray?
What was your 'Selah' moment today?

Three (3) hours. That's what they need from you.

2011-08-25T09:08:00.005-05:00

5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: Service

St. Philip's partners with the Round Rock Area Serving Center because they help - and, they help well. The helping services they provide include:

a food pantry;
Round Rock Coats for Kids;
clothing & furniture vouchers
Computers for Kids;
community gardens;
The Volunteer Center;
adult computer classes in English & Spanish;
a charity thrift store; and,
financial assistance for utilities, rent, prescriptions, transportation, and temporary lodging.

We've learned that the Center needs some personnel help, some volunteers who will serve in three (3)-hour shifts to help the helping happen.

Can you serve? Will you? Contact Claire Therneau, Volunteer Coordinator, at (512) 244-2431 or e-mail her to learn more.

Questions

How and where have you experienced someone helping you?
How and where are your living your faith in ways that help someone else?
How can you adjust your living to give at least three (3) hours a week to helping.

Virtual distances are shorter

2011-08-23T06:30:00.002-05:00

5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: Presence

My youngest returns to school today. A junior in high school, back-to-school is not quite as momentous for her as it was in earlier years.

But, it still is for me.

This year it's tough, because I'm away from home attending a training event. While it isn't the same as being there, technology is keeping me connected. Virtual presence is better than absence.

Questions

Who can you encourage - student, faculty, administrator, support staff - as they go back-to-school?
With whom can - and will - you be present today in spite of geographical distance?

Praying for rain

2011-08-15T00:00:00.005-05:00

5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: Prayers

This is the Morning Prayer voiced in yesterday morning's Chapel Worship Services:

LORD, this exceptional drought threatens to dry us away from each other.
Our patience is parched our tolerance severely tested.
O LORD, You know that you land need the rain. Where is it?

We know that You never abandon Your creation;
We know that You never leave us needful.

Refresh us in these continuing days of unrelenting heat.
LORD, we come to You soul-thirsty, believing in Jesus.
Pour into us the living water of life that flows through Him.
In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

We're thankful for the showers that refreshed our campus yesterday evening. Please, continue to pray for rain.

Teach Children's Sunday School? Of course you can!

2011-08-11T17:34:00.001-05:00

5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: Service

For my readers who don't receive St. Philip's weekly eNews, I'm posting this from
Becky Hailey, our Children's Minister:

Children's Sunday School Program needs teachers!

We are approaching Sunday School a little differently this fall - teaming up some of our classes to sharpen our focus and better use our space. Our goal is to enrich the Sunday learning experience by encouraging reverence for the house of God and helping children connect to their faith in a deeper, more personal way. Please prayerfully consider serving on one of the following teams:

Preschool (3 years through pre-k)

Kindergarten and 1st Grade

2nd and 3rd Grades

4th and 5th Grades

Teams are responsible for planning for and facilitating the 9:30 Sunday School hour. The number of people on each team, and your personal preferences, determine how often you would teach a class - some teachers prefer teaching once per month while others want to be there every Sunday. No experience is necessary! You will be fully trained and supported by experienced teachers and staff, and be provided with everything you need for your class. Adults and youth are welcome. New classes begin

August 28. Please contact Becky Hailey.

St. Philip's and "Living Letters"

2011-08-10T12:17:00.000-05:00

5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: Gifts

At the chapel of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines. Photo: Semegnish Asfaw/WCC.

Today, I'm sharing a story about how your financial gifts to St. Philip's are touching lives through our United Methodist Apportionments:

A group of Christians from Asia, Africa, Europe, Canada and Australia came to the Philippines as "Living Letters" on behalf of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in order to learn about the current human right situation and about the churches' advocacy against violence. World Council of Churches is one of the partners supported by the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund of the United Methodist Church.

This Living Letters visit was one in a series of visits by ecumenical teams during the past three years to various countries, organized ahead of the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC), May 2011 in Jamaica. The visits are meant to accompany churches who long for peace, security and reconciliation in the midst of conflicts and violence.

“May 2010 is when it all started", Yna (not her real name), mother of 17-year-old Yuri, told a group of international church representatives. "A group of military men were sent to live in our village and to observe the general election that was to take place. They did not leave even after the election was over. We knew why they stayed: they wanted to recruit minors into the army.”

“My husband and I would not agree to send our son to the military. Yuri did not want to be part of it. The military started threatening us, and we experienced all kinds of harassment. They even summoned my 11-year-old son,” Yna continued.

She said that the situation worsened. Her son was invited to a youth celebration in the village that was organized by the military. At the end of the celebration her son was accused of sexual harassment after he entered a female comfort room without realizing it. There was no witness to the alleged sexual harassment, and the supposed victim did not claim to have been harassed.

This did not protect her son from being beaten severely by soldiers who even threatened to kill him if he told anyone what had happened to him. “My son arrived home crying and suffering from the pain that had been inflicted on his body,” Yna explained. He had been brought home by two village watchmen.

Out of fear for the safety of his family, Yuri did not tell his story to anyone for three days. It took him time to open up and share what had happened to him. His physical wounds did not heal quickly, but they did heal with time.

“Wounds were not the only evidence left by the violence Yuri had experienced. His behaviour began to change, and he became a violent child,” Yna testified mournfully. “It reached a point when he even threatened to kill me. Yuri was no longer the son I had raised.”

With the help of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines and the human rights group Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights), the family managed to bring Yuri to a hospital for a psychological check-up. The diagnosis was that he was suffering from a mental condition. Yuri was sent to a private mental health hospital where he stayed for some time.

Yna found that her son was in a much better state when he returned from the hospital, but the medicine that the doctors had prescribed for him was too expensive for the family to afford. His mental health began to deteriorate once more.

Yna and her immediate family have now moved to Manila as they are no longer safe in their former home. She is told that members of the military still harass and threaten other family members in the village, demanding to know where Yuri and his family have moved.

"I never thought of moving to Manila, but with this situation we had no choice,” said Yna. She added that being in Manila does not make her stop worrying. “We are longing for the day when we will feel safe again," she concluded.

[Adapted from a story by Aneth Lwakatare, WCC intern from Tanzania.Maurice Malanes, GCCUIC website. Copyright United Methodist Communications.]

St. Philip’s gives to the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund through our United Methodist Apportionments. Our Apportionments are 10.5% (or, $83,000) of our 2011 Budget. Through our Apportionments, we support the shared, connectional life of The United Methodist Church, extending our ministry from our campus throughout the world. Thank you for your faithful, generous, and consistent gifting that helps St. Philip’s to give 100% of our Apportionments.

[

A place for conversation

2011-08-05T11:48:00.000-05:00

5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: Witness

Three weeks ago, I invited you to use social media as a tool for sharing - giving witness to - your faith. Since then, I've been using it as part of my daily, personal prayer time. I write a less-than 140 characters prayer that I need to pray, and then post it praying that others will find it helpful. Using hootsuite, the prayer appears on twitter and my facebook wall.

Since an increasing number of followers and friends retweet and comment, engaging me in conversation, let's use this forum in a similar way. In our Wesleyan tradition, conversations about faith were called "Christian conferencing." Let's visit about practical - how we live, putting our faith into practice - theology.

So you don't have to wonder if you can ask me questions: yes, you can. I welcome them - especially as they relate to faith, life, and faithful living. (Of course, I think that most aspects of life relate to these; if not overtly, then we can explore for a connection.)

It may help you to know that my general pattern in this blog is to focus
on ... about:

Mondays ... Prayer
Tuesdays ... Presence
Wednesdays ... Gifts
Thursdays ... Service
Fridays ... Witness

Thank you for understanding that, since I'm willing to put my name here, I may not respond to anonymously asked questions. If confidentiality is a concern, then use a pseudonym. Believing in respectful and civil discourse, rude and snarky won't get out of the comment moderation process.

I look forward to your questions and comments, to this being a place where we witness to our faith, together.

Question

What faith-focused blogs to you regularly read?
What faith-focused podcasts / webcasts do you follow?
What topics / issues need to be receiving more attention in believer's conversations?

"Deck the halls with..."

2011-08-04T17:23:00.001-05:00

5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: Service

Listening to a "Classical Christmas" channel on Pandora and glancing at an ice-sculptured Nativity, I'm really not trying to rush the holiday's arrival. It's part of my response to another 100˚+ day in Brushy Creek.

Thanks to all who’ve brought – and will bring – bottled water, and ice coolers that we may borrow, for Saturday. It’ll be a great day of service as St. Philip’s touches lives through our Missions Outreach Ministry Team as we partner support with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas to help sponsor “Hobie Day.”

Think for a moment about the number of lives that you, as St. Philip’s, are touching in Christian service. 1100 children (“littles”) are served through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas. There are the same number of big brothers/sisters (“bigs”). Now, extend the math… each little and big have at least two (2) significant others in their lives… the friends with whom the littles play… the people with whom the bigs work… you get the idea. You will impact a lot of people on Saturday!

In addition to the donated water, St. Philip’s is providing a pizza lunch for the 350 people expected at Hobie Day. We’re able to do that through your gifting to our Budget for mission and ministry. Addionally, several members and friends of St. Philip’s will serve Christ on Saturday by giving their time to help with this event.

Question

· What’s a act of service that you’re doing this week?

A prayer as we begin this new month

2011-08-01T00:00:00.004-05:00

5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: Prayers

A window broken in two parts

I invite you to pray with me as we begin this new month:

A PRAYER IN BROKENNESS

O God,

I cannot undo my past,

or make it never have happened!

-- neither can You. There are some things

that are not possible even for You

-- but not many!

I ask You,

humbly,

from the bottom of my heart:

Please, God,

would you write straight

with my crooked lines?

Out of the serious mistakes of my life

will You make something beautiful for You?

Teach me to live at peace with You,

to make peace with others,

and even with myself.

Give me fresh vision. Let me

experience Your love so deeply

that I am free to

face the future with a steady eye,

forgiven,

and strong and in hope.

Amen.

(From Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings from the Northumbria Community)

"In God We Trust" - Praying for the US Congress

2011-07-30T18:21:00.000-05:00

Over morning coffee, a friend and I shared our frustration over the US Congress' inability (and seeming unwillingness) to create a workable solution to the Federal debt.

Just a few hours later, I got the tweet:

keyetv: July 30, 1956, Pres Eisenhower signed a measure making "In God We Trust" the national motto, replacing "E Pluribus Unum" Out of many, one"

I don't know the history of why the national motto was changed; but, I do know what it can mean. Even as Christians vary on the details, on how we go about trusting God, we can begin by praying for our legislators, for their wisdom, and that they quickly find a way to work selflessly for the citizens who have entrusted them to lead well for everyone's good.

Question

Will you pray for your Senators? Your Representatives?
Will you email them and let them know that you are praying for them?

You come to know the Bible by being present with it

2011-07-26T06:30:00.003-05:00

5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: presence

Maybe you know it well. Maybe you know it a little. Maybe you think that you know it, but sometimes wonder how well... Today, I invite you to think about what it means – what it can mean – for you to know what the Bible says, and to know the meaning of the Scriptures to shape and guide your life.

You come to know the Bible by being present with it, by engaging faithful – prayerfully, thoughtfully – with the text. St. Philip's offers a variety of tools for building your knowledge of our sacred scriptures.

Daily, we offer a suggested Bible Reading. The list of these Readings in printed in each Sunday Guide and on the home page of our web site. They're also on a blog, where you may share your learning. (In a couple of week's, I'll lead a Summer Bible Study on this site. Details soon.)Each week, we offer Sunday School for all ages. And, beginning in September, we'll offer a variety of Bible studies during the week.

If you're ready for a great experience, then I invite you to be in one of our DISCIPLE Bible Study group. These groups grow deep in the Word. On Tuesday nights, Don Gregory and I will lead DISCIPLE 1, an overview of the entire Bible. On Monday nights, Lee Graves will lead DISCIPLE 2, a study of the Old Testament prophets, and the Letters of Paul. Registration for the DISCIPLE studies will be available soon.

As we ease into autumn, give yourself the gift and experience of being present with the Bible.

Questions

When and where have you been a part of a dynamic Bible study? With whom did you share it?

In what ways could being in a Bible study this year enrich your faith?

About Renovare'

2011-07-18T16:58:00.001-05:00

5 dynamic life expressions that United Methodist Christians do that reflect who we are as a people who believe in Jesus: Prayers. Presence. Gifts. Service. Witness. Today's focus: prayers

It's been almost twenty (20) years ago since Mr. Dale Herring of Talpa, Texas introduced me to Renovaré. I’ve attended several of the organization’s events, and it’s founder, Richard Foster, is one of my favorite authors.

I encourage you to visit their web site and consider their resources as tools for your spiritual formation and building your prayer life.

Question:

What tools are you using in your spiritual formation?

Joining St. Philip's, persons answer "I will" to each of these:

As members of Christ's universal Church, will you be loyal to The United Methodist Church, and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?

As a member of St. Philip's, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness?

Prayer through social media

2011-07-11T10:26:00.000-05:00

Joining St. Philip's, persons answer "I will" to each of these:

As members of Christ's universal Church, will you be loyal to The United Methodist Church, and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?

As a member of St. Philip's, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness?

Today's focus: prayers

Social media is a vital communications tool for St. Philip's because we know that you are here. This isn't new for the church; after all, United Methodist Christians have consistently taken and been the Church where people are - where they live and play.

It's also a tool that you can use to share your faith. For example, you can pray through twitter. Here's a prayer that I tweeted today (my posting app also put it on my facebook page):

LORD, open my mind to know what to look for, embolden me to seek, and give me wisdom to know it when I see it. IJN, amen.

IJN? In Jesus' Name.

Questions:

What social media to you use?
How will you use it to share your faith?

[Art credit: Darstellung des Severin von Noricum.. (Detail aus dem Severinaltar in Neapel).Rudolf Lehr –- Landeschronik Oberösterreich. Wien: Verlag Christian Branstätter 2004 S. 61 ISBN 3-85498-331-X.http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Severin_von_Noricum_(um_1470).jpg]

From our Missionary in Japan

2011-06-23T17:17:00.000-05:00

Joining St. Philip's, persons answer "I will" to each of these:

As members of Christ's universal Church, will you be loyal to The United Methodist Church, and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?

As a member of St. Philip's, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness?

Today's focus: service

__________________

The following is from Grace Buchele, our Mission in Japan. We included her letter in today's weekly eNews; you can subscribe to it by clicking here.

When I first arrived in Japan, I stayed with the Takamoto family, friends of ours from

when we first returned from Africa, but now I have moved on to homestays. I am now staying with Naoko, one of Sue Takamoto's friends who lives a couple blocks over. I still go over to Sue's on a fairly regular basis and teach the kids English. I have also been doing informal English lessons with Naoko (and helping her daughters with their English homework). I now am teaching my first "official" group lesson. For this new group, I rented a room at the local community center, got print-outs, wrote on the whiteboard, and got things ready.

Grace with her English Class

I've done a lot of one-on-one work here, from private tutoring to conversation practice, to basic teaching, but this was my first group setting. After a few weeks, they asked if I could teach them to speak about the Tsunami. English speakers always want to talk about the Tsunami, but my group did not know the words to use, nor is it covered in their English textbooks. I downloaded a CNN article, and together, we read through it, highlighting and explaining the unknown words. Thank you for continuing to pray for me, St. Philip's, and how God is using this time in Japan.

You can read about Grace's Japan adventures by [clicking here].

Peace with Justice Sunday

2011-06-15T00:00:00.002-05:00

Joining St. Philip's, persons answer "I will" to each of these:

As members of Christ's universal Church, will you be loyal to The United Methodist Church, and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?

As a member of St. Philip's, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness?

Today's focus: gifts

_______________

This video does a good job of telling a powerful story about our ministry in the Democratic Republic of Congo:

We join with other United Methodist churches in observing Peace with Justice Sunday on June 19. An offering envelope will be inserted in the Sunday Guide for your use in giving a special gift.

Thank you for your faithful, generous, and consistent gifting that enables St. Philip's to share Christ's caring around the block and around the world.

Praying for our Senior High Missionary Team

2011-06-13T07:40:00.003-05:00

Joining St. Philip's, persons answer "I will" to each of these:

As members of Christ's universal Church, will you be loyal to The United Methodist Church, and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?

As a member of St. Philip's, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness?

Today's focus: prayers

______

Please, join with me in praying for our Senior High Missionary Team as they share Christ's caring this week serving people in the Louisiana Gulf Coast Region:

Ricki
Cody
Steven
Susan
Nicholas
Brent
Kevin
Megan
Melody
Paul
Jennifer
Joshua
Linda
Leigh
Jordan
Kendyll
Stephanie

Celebrating our Health and Welfare Ministries

2011-06-08T14:49:00.000-05:00

Joining St. Philip's, persons answer "I will" to each of these:

As members of Christ's universal Church, will you be loyal to The United Methodist Church, and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?

As a member of St. Philip's, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness?

Today's focus: gifts

It's mid-afternoon in Waco, TX, on the last day Annual Conference.

We were gifted with lunch by the health and welfare ministries with whom we partner. Please, visit their links and learn about the significant work that St. Philip's shares through them as we share care Christ's caring.

Why Annual Conference is important to St. Philip's

2011-06-06T20:25:00.000-05:00

Many industries have conferences where business is transacted, learning shared, and ideas exchanged. When United Methodist have a conference, more than a meeting happens. The very word, conference, is heritage-rich, reminding us of spiritual conversation where the Holy Spirit moves persons toward insights and understanding. When we gather at Annual Conference, we are prayerfully and intentionally a part of the connectional ministry of our tribe (denomination) shared by the churches within a particular geographic area

I'm in in Waco for our Central Texxas Annual Conference. This year's has special significance, as we're realigning our region and our structure to enhance our effectiveness in mission and ministry; and, we're electing our Delegation to next year's Jurisdictional (the body that elects our Bishops) and General (the decision-making body of our tribe) Conferences.

We've learned from Dr. Adam Hamilton, Lead Pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, in Leawood, Kansas – and the largest church in our tribe – about leadership, worship, and evangelism. It was affirming to hear him talk about things that St. Philip's is already doing well. And, challenging to think about the ways that we become more effective in making disciples of Jesus Christ.

Annual Conference is important to St. Philip's because

It is part of our identity as a United Methodist Church;
We are one of the large churches in the South District of The Central Texas Conference, and a leader in our scope and variety of outreach;
We partner with the diverse ministries supported by the Conference;
We help to provide leadership for the Church. Several persons have responded to the call to ministry while members of St. Philip's, and have gone on to serve as pastors. This morning, our Executive Session elected Rev. David McMinn (a previous Associate Pastor of St. Phil's) to ordination as an Elder (David will be ordained tomorrow night); and,
The Conference provides our pastoral leadership. (At the conclusion of the Conference, Bishop Lowry will appoint Rev. Buchele and I to serve St. Philip's).

As Annual Conference is about our relationship with God in Jesus Christ, it is also about our relationship with each other. It is like a family reunion, where we're blessed to see friends with whom we've shared faith, life, and faithful living. And, it is about you, St. Philip's. I'm proud of you, and proud to be your Pastor.

A Prayer for Memorial Day

2011-05-30T08:19:00.006-05:00

Tomb of the Unknowns, Arlington National Cemetery. Photo by Alex McLeod

Joining St. Philip's, persons answer "I will" to each of these:

As members of Christ's universal Church, will you be loyal to The United Methodist Church, and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?

As a member of St. Philip's, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness?

Today's focus: our prayers

_______________________

In the United States, this is Memorial Day, a day that remember the men and women who have died in military service to their country. I invite you to watch the video in silence; then, to pray.

Eternal God,

Creating us in your image, you gave humanity the potential

to perceive,

create,

and sustain justice in our life together.

Even as we rebelled against you,

you sent Jesus whose life

showed us the way of your peace.

Even as we resisted him,

you would not let his violent death

diminish

or deter

your best for us.

Even as humanity has warred,

you have not abandoned us,

nor removed the peace that yet can be.

As our nation grieves to day,

please,

comfort those families who know war's price

so personally.

Strengthen in each of us

the resolve

to live in ways that affirm that our soldiers' deaths have helped us on the

way of peace.

In the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, we pray.

Amen.

Question:

Who are you remembering this Memorial Day?

Thanks for sharing his/her story with us.

[Photo credit: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tomb_of_the_Unknowns_24.jpg]

Memorial Day Eve: Sgt. Byron Norwood gave his life for us

2011-05-29T20:38:00.000-05:00

Sgt. Byron Wayne Norwood, USMC

I am so sorry; and, Bill Norwood, I am humbled and blessed by your graciousness in calling my attention to my mistake. Thank you.

I know that I risk a slip when I loose myself from a manuscript when preaching. And, I know the cause of my mistake, as just yesterday, I was reading of the most recent battles in the current war.

During the sermon in this morning's 11:00 Worship Service, while talking about the priceless gifts that we in the United States remember on Memorial Day, I mentioned that St. Philip's knew this sacred grief, as one of ours had not returned alive from Afghanistan. I meant to say Iraq; I didn't know I'd misplaced until Bill's gently asking if we'd lost another soldier of the Church.

My reference was to Bill and Janet's son, Byron, whose faithful and committed service to his country forever changed how I remember and keep Memorial Day.

Bryon was killed in Fallujah, on November 13, 2004.

The Norwoods continue to inspire me in the ways that they honor Byron's memory in supporting Marines and their families. For our nation, they responded to Byron's death in a way that personalized the war, transcending the politics of foreign policy as they showed us the vital need of respecting those who preserve the freedom that we cherish.

Because of Byron, and the other men and women who gave their lives – literally – my family and I are free on the Memorial Day's eve. I pray that we honor his gift by never forgetting his sacrifice, and forever faithfully living as peacemakers.

Our partner ministry with senior adults

2011-05-18T19:51:00.001-05:00

When you join St. Philip's, you answered, "I will" to these:

As members of Christ's universal Church, will you be loyal to The United Methodist Church, and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?

As a member of St. Philip's, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness?

Today's focus: our gifts

When was the last time that you spent some time with a senior adult? Listened to his/her stories? Learned from her/his wisdom? Theirs is an amazing experience that most of us hope to share.

A friend of mine often says, "Old people are COOL." While that may be a politically incorrect and socially impolite statement, it is true. I get to enjoy that reality every time I visit one of of the facilities of Wesleyan Homes, our partner ministry with senior adults. Click here to learn about Wesleyan. I'm also blessed with an 'insiders' view. For several years, I've had the privilege of serving on the Board of Trustees; most recently as an Officer of that Board. I assure you that Wesleyan Homes of one of the best ministries of its kind - anywhere. Its Staff loves loves well. Wesleyan is truly a blessing to its residents and their families.

I don't know anyone who wants to die young. I do know many, who like me, want to live to see many seasons. We're changing habits to live healthier, smarter. We planning ahead as best we can, projecting our likely future needs and trying now to provide for them.

In spite of their best efforts, some of our elders need help. Wesleyan cares for them. St. Philip's does, too. Each May, we receive a special offering for Wesleyan's Benevolent Fund. Because of gifts like yours, no one has ever been - nor ever will be - asked to leave the Wesleyan because of an inability to pay. Traditionally, we receive that offering on Mother's Day; however, this year, your opportunity to give will be this Sunday. (An gifting envelope will be included in your copy of the Sunday Guide.)

My friend, Mariesa Kanetzky, Wesleyan's Outreach Director, will be with us in each on-campus Worship Service, celebrating our ministry with the Wesleyan. She'll be talking about Wesleyan Hospice, one of the newer offerings in Wesleyan's continuum of care. I look forward to introducing you to my friend, Mariesa.

Thank you for praying now about the special gift that you'll give this week. I hope that you'll consider giving in honor, or memory, of your mom or dad. If you're unable to be with us on Sunday, then give through any of our options, designating your gift, "Wesleyan Homes."

A Special Announcement

2011-05-17T14:55:00.000-05:00

Dr. Schultz and our Staff-Parish Relations Committee are pleased to announce that St. Philip’s extends its ministry through adding an Adjunct Spiritual Director to our Staff Team in Mary Powell.

Mary Powell

Mary previously served as our Associate Pastor, retiring in December of 2009 in response to a family need that compelled her to move out of state. As that need resolved, she returned to Austin to enjoy her retirement, and reconnected with St. Philip’s as an active Member.

Mary is a credentialed Spiritual Director, and we welcome the opportunity to be enriched by her pastoral education, experience, and expertise while respecting her retired status. Beginning June 1, Mary will be available, by appointment, for individual Spiritual Direction. She will also assist in leading Worship, and in providing Pastoral Care, at the direction of Rev. Buchele and Dr. Schultz.

The Church moves from Worship into Christ’s Work Together

2011-05-17T10:41:00.002-05:00

When you joined St. Philip's, you answered, "I will" to these:

As members of Christ's universal Church, will you be loyal to The United Methodist Church, and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?

As a member of St. Philip's, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness?

Today's focus: presence.

It has been our practice to share the Sacrament of Holy Communion at the beginning of our Administry and Ministry Team meetings. The symbols of Christ’s gift of himself for us and presence with us are real and visible reminders that everything we do as the church is about making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Strengthening our spiritual connection with God, we have added a brief time of Centering Worship as each meeting begins.

Rev. Buchele, or I, will have prepared the Communion elements, and the Worship Guide; and, will be present with the Administry or Team Leader to lead the Centering Worship. If neither of us are available, we have prepared a simple Centering Worship (and, one without Holy Communion) that the Leader can use.

Thank you for helping us to continue to be intentional in honoring God through our shared service to Christ and the Church.

[Art: http://www.cruzblanca.org]

TOGETHER

On my way to what's next...

I’m working on Sunday’s sermon about trusting God.

United Methodism 101 online course registration open through Tuesday, Jan. 31

The dinner was good, the ministry inspiring

Tomorrow's Sermon

A letter to you from Allie Klein

Coordinated Church Meetings Night Begins

What does a disciple of Jesus look like?

Ways to hands-on help

Abundance rejoices.

Educators. I'm thankful for their presence.

Sam Bass Fire Department. I'm thankful for their service.

Thankful for their service? Tell us about it!

A easy house-warming present

So, how's your gifting?

Praying your "I can't ____________."

Zombies and Vampires

"Generous for Transforming the World"

"A Christmas Carol" Sponsorships Available

Extravagant Generosity. Really.

We continue because the needs continue

"Presence' touches, transforms lives. Where are you?

WILDFIRES RESPONSE: WHAT'S NEXT

God often gives us unexpected opportunities to witness to our faith.

Needing space - sacred space

Before this weekend ends, make a plan

Dawn, 9.11.11

What in your home is a visible witness to your faith?

1,386 and 9.11 and choosing our focus

Please, we need socks. Help a firefighter.

Our Response and Relief to the Wildfires

A resource for Daily Prayer from the Northumbria Community

We care for the homeless because we can

Time to be soul-open and perspective placing

Three (3) hours. That's what they need from you.

Virtual distances are shorter

Praying for rain

Teach Children's Sunday School? Of course you can!

St. Philip's and "Living Letters"

A place for conversation

"Deck the halls with..."

A prayer as we begin this new month

"In God We Trust" - Praying for the US Congress

You come to know the Bible by being *present* with it

About Renovare'

Prayer through social media

From our Missionary in Japan

Peace with Justice Sunday

Praying for our Senior High Missionary Team

Celebrating our Health and Welfare Ministries

Why Annual Conference is important to St. Philip's

A Prayer for Memorial Day

Memorial Day Eve: Sgt. Byron Norwood gave his life for us

Our partner ministry with senior adults

A Special Announcement

The Church moves from Worship into Christ’s Work Together

You come to know the Bible by being present with it