This Week in Worship • Gratitude for Derision with Senior Pastor, Reverend Brent Ross for Thursday, 4 June 2015
What you'll find in this week's email:
• This Week in Worship:
Gratitude for Derision
• Free Family Movie Nights ( This Saturday! • Sunset )
• New Sunday Morning Small Group
• Faith on Tap: East County ( 6/11 • 6:30p-8:00p )
• Free Pancake Breakfast ( 6/14 • 8:30a-9:45a )
• New Team Members on Staff!
• Connector Training Event ( This Sunday! • 11:45a-12:15p )
Last year the family and I went to Kauai for a week of much-needed vacation. It had just been an incredibly intense year with church, work, school, our children talking to us and everything else that happens in the morning before you are ready for it. So for months I felt like I was counting down the moments until we were on the plane to Hawaii. I had set the date in my calendar and almost daily began to imagine what it would be like when I was really relaxing and unwinding without any other agenda or plans. This was going to be just sun, sitting, reading and sleeping (perhaps in reverse order though).
Somehow we ended up going for a hike (I blame Heather.) We were up at the Kalalau Lookout where the small Pihea Trail wound toward a final peak that gave truly some of the most beautiful views in the world. Despite my original protests, we began the trail after I was begrudgingly convinced by Heather’s assertions that the trail was not that lengthy or difficult of a walk. (My case that on vacation any walking is lengthy or difficult was met with healthy scorn).
And it was a beautiful trail, but I also quickly learned that we have different operating definitions of “lengthy” and “difficult.” (Being married to a philosophy teacher who appreciates the nuances and play of language clearly has not yet sunk in). In my mind it seemed as though we had been walking forever and there was no good way of knowing how far we had come… or had to go. As we walked together at varying speeds and levels of enthusiasm, I kept hoping that at each turn we would have arrived at the end. This hope also quickly led to increased dismay because I also knew that every step that was not the final one had to be repeated on the march (err, hike) out.
Finally there was a break in the foliage that allowed us to see where we were.
My first reaction? Dismay...Continue Reading Pastor Brent's BlogGratitude for Derision by Rev Brent Ross
Last year the family and I went to Kauai for a week of much-needed vacation. It had just been an incredibly intense year with church, work, school, our children talking to us and everything else that happens in the morning before you are ready for it. So for months I felt like I was counting down the moments until we were on the plane to Hawaii. I had set the date in my calendar and almost daily began to imagine what it would be like when I was really relaxing and unwinding without any other agenda or plans. This was going to be just sun, sitting, reading and sleeping (perhaps in reverse order though.)
Somehow, then, we ended up going for a hike. (I blame Heather.) We were up at the Kalalau Lookout where the small Pihea Trail wound toward a final peak that gave truly some of the most beautiful views in the world. Despite my original protests, we began the trail after I was begrudgingly convinced by Heather’s assertions that the trail was not that lengthy or difficult of a walk. (My case that on vacation anywalking is lengthy or difficult was met with healthy scorn.)
And it was a beautiful trail, but I also quickly learned that we have different operating definitions of “lengthy” and “difficult.” (Being married to a philosophy teacher who appreciates the nuances and play of language clearly has not yet sunk in) In my mind it seemed as though we had been walking forever and there was no good way of knowing how far we had come…or had to go. As we walked together at varying speeds and levels of enthusiasm, I kept hoping that at each turn we would have arrived at the end. This hope, though, also quickly led to increased dismay because I also knew that every step that was not the final one also had to be repeated on the march (err, hike) out.
Finally then, there was a break in the foliage that allowed us to see where we were.
My first reaction? Dismay.
I could see the endpoint and it was still so far away. But, almost imperceptibly, as I looked back behind us on the trail I had another reaction…surprise. As I looked back on the trail, I could see just how far we had already walked and it was so much further than what I would have thought. It was a surprising or even shocking amount of distance that instantly changed how I felt about the rest of the way. This moment had swung from dismay to gratitude which swayed even my worn spirit and tired legs.
This week I had a similar experience here at the church. We’ve recently had some problems with finding drug paraphernalia on our front porch here that we were having to pick up and throw away each morning before our school program arrived each morning. So, we had asked for some assistance from the police department in helping us keep our porch area clear in the evenings and to redirect people who may need help from the church to come to us during the day. Our building manager then, in speaking with the officers, relayed a conversation to me that he had with them this week. “They weren’t too friendly.” he said. “Really? Why? What happened?” I asked. “Well, one of the officers said to me ‘If you Methodists didn’t cater to homeless people all the time we wouldn’t have this problem around here.'”
My first reaction? Dismay.
To be honest, I felt a bit hurt and scorned. Doesn’t he know what we do around here? We’ve worked so hard in the last two years to be a vital presence in this neighborhood. Doesn’t this officer understand that as a church where we truly welcome everyone that we’ve helped get 4 people get off the streets in the last year? Doesn’t he know that blaming us for homelessness is like blaming doctors and nurses for cancer? Doesn’t he know that as Methodists and Christians we are just simply called to love and care for those who are in need? What makes him so derisive about us when we are living out our clear call as the church?
But then, almost imperceptibly, another reaction…gratitude. Wow, how far we’ve come in ministry and mission here, because what a gift that the word is out. The word is out that we as Methodists and this church are safe places for those on the streets and in need. The joy and thankfulness I felt in hearing the word “Methodist” used with such derision again reminded me of its beautiful origins when it began as a way of mocking those who had so fully turned their life over to God. We are now known here in this neighborhood as the people who welcome anyone, and I can’t imagine any greater sign of how far we have come in the past few years here.
And most of all, I thought how good for that police officer. Because if one day, God forbid, he were to fall through the cracks of society and no one else was there to help…I knew he would remember that word, Methodist. Because they were and are the ones who welcome and care for anyone. Whether it is in derision or thankfulness, the truth would be the same. These are a people who are different, and for this I am unspeakably grateful.
This week we hear a story of those who came before us who also were different. In the passage for Sunday, we will hear about those called to be different. Those Israelites and people of God who were set to a different way of being, living, speaking and acting. May we know that this story continues each and every time the church is simply different. We’ll see you on Sunday.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:4-20
Scripture Text: 1 Samuel 8:4 All the leaders of Isra’el gathered themselves together, approached Sh’mu’el in Ramah 5 and said to him, “Look, you have grown old, and your sons are not following your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” 6 Sh’mu’el was not pleased to hear them say, “Give us a king to judge us”; so he prayed to Adonai. 7 Adonai said to Sh’mu’el, “Listen to the people, to everything they say to you; for it is not you they are rejecting; they are rejecting me; they don’t want me to be king over them. 8 They are doing to you exactly what they have been doing to me, from the day I brought them out of Egypt until today, by abandoning me and serving other gods. 9 So do what they say, but give them a sober warning, telling them what kinds of rulings their king will make.”
10 Sh’mu’el reported everything Adonai had said to the people asking him for a king. 11 He said, “Here is the kind of rulings your king will make: he will draft your sons and assign them to take care of his chariots, be his horsemen and be bodyguards running ahead of his chariots. 12 He will appoint them to serve him as officers in charge of a thousand or of fifty, plowing his fields, gathering his harvest, and making his weapons and the equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters and have them be perfume-makers, cooks and bakers. 14 He will expropriate your fields, vineyards and olive groves — the very best of them! — and hand them over to his servants. 15 He will take the ten-percent tax of your crops and vineyards and give it to his officers and servants. 16 He will take your male and female servants, your best young men and your donkeys, and make them work for him. 17 He will take the ten-percent tax of your flocks, and you will become his servants. 18 When that happens, you will cry out on account of your king, whom you yourselves chose. But when that happens, Adonai will not answer you!”
19 However, the people refused to listen to what Sh’mu’el told them, and they said, “No! We want a king over us, 20 so that we can be like all the nations, with our king to judge us, lead us and fight our battles.”
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for: 1 Samuel 8:4-20
Verse 5
[5] And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
A king — Their desires exceed their reasons, which extended no farther than to the removal of Samuel's sons from their places, and the procuring some other just: and prudent assistance to Samuel's age. Nor was the grant of their desire a remedy for their disease, but rather an aggravation of it. For the sons of their king were likely to he as corrupt as Samuel's sons and, if they were, would not be so easily removed.
Like other nations — That is, as most of the nations about us have. But there was not the like reason; because God had separated them from all other nations, and cautioned them against the imitation of their examples, and had taken them into his own immediate care and government; which privilege other nations had not.
Verse 6
[6] But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
Displeased — Because God was hereby dishonoured by that distrust of him, and that ambition, and itch after changes, which were the manifest causes of this desire; and because of that great misery, which he foresaw the people would hereby bring upon themselves.
Prayed — For the pardon of their sin, and direction and help from God in this great affair.
Verse 7
[7] And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
Hearken — God grants their desire in anger, and for their punishment.
Rejected me — This injury and contumely, reflects chiefly upon me and my government.
Should not reign — By my immediate government, which was the great honour, safety, and happiness of this people, if they had had hearts to prize it.
Verse 8
[8] According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.
So do they — Thou farest no worse than myself. This he speaks for Samuel's comfort and vindication.
Verse 9
[9] Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.
Ye protest — That, if it be possible, thou mayst yet prevent their sin and misery.
The manner — That is, of the kings which they desire like the kings of other nations.
Verse 11
[11] And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.
Will take — Injuriously and by violence.
Verse 12
[12] And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.
Will appoint — Heb. To, or for himself; for his own fancy, or glory, and not only when the necessities of the kingdom require it. And though this might seem to he no incumbrance, but an honour to the persons so advanced, yet even in them that honour was accompanied with great dangers, and pernicious snares of many kinds, which those faint shadows of glory could not recompense; and as to the public, their pomp and power proved very burdensome to the people, whose lands and fruits were taken from them, and bestowed upon these, for the support of their state.
Will set them — At his own pleasure, when possibly their own fields required all their time and pains. He will press them for all sorts of his work, and that upon his own terms.
Verse 13
[13] And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.
Daughters — Which would be more grievous to their parents, and more dangerous to themselves, because of the tenderness of that sex, and their liableness to many injuries.
Verse 14
[14] And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.
Your fields — By fraud or force, as Ahab did from Naboth.
His servants — He will not only take the fruits of your lands for his own use, but will take away your possessions to give to his servants.
Verse 15
[15] And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.
The tenth — Besides the several tenths which God hath reserved for his service, he will, when he pleaseth, impose another tenth upon you.
Officers — Heb. To his eunuchs, which may imply a farther injury, that he should against the command of God, make some of his people eunuchs; and take those into his court and favour, which God would have cast out of the congregation.
Verse 16
[16] And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.
Will take — By constraint, and without sufficient recompense.
Verse 17
[17] He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.
His servants — That is, he will use you like slaves, and deprive you of that liberty which now you enjoy.
Verse 18
[18] And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.
Cry out — Ye shall bitterly mourn for the sad effects of this inordinate desire of a king.
Will not hear — Because you will not hear, nor obey his counsel in this day.
Verse 20
[20] That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
Be like — What stupidity! It was their happiness that they were unlike all other nations, Numbers 23:9; Deuteronomy 33:28, as in other glorious privileges, so especially in this, that the Lord was their immediate king and lawgiver. But they will have a king to go out before them, and to fight their battles. Could they desire a battle better fought for them than the last was, by Samuel's prayers and God's thunders? Were they fond to try the chance of war, at the same uncertainty that others did? And what was the issue? Their first king was slain in battle: and so was Joshua, one of the last and best.
"Attitude of Gratitude" by Mark Farner
Our first movie night of the summer is here! This Saturday night we are showing Big Hero 6 in the park next to the church, and our summer movie nights are always a big draw in the neighborhood. Last year we had over 400 people for “Frozen” and we are expecting plenty of people again this year, so we need your participation! Here is how you can help:
Be here at 5:00pm to help setup.
We will setup for about 45 minutes and then have a picnic time on the grass while people are arriving!
Be here at 6:30 to help staff at the hospitality table.
People at the table will welcome people to the movie, answer easy questions about the church and just be a friendly face. This is an easy but important job!
Come to the movie!
Be here at 7:15 to watch the movie and sit with neighbors. Plus, this is a great film!
Help breakdown after the movie at 10:00pm.
Many hands make the work go quickly!
If you are able to participate, send Pastor Brent an email (brent@nhunited.org) and please let him know this week! We can't wait to see you there!
We have a new small group starting at 9:45am on Sundays! The Parenting Support Group is an informal parents group that meets to discuss the challenges and rewards of parenting. This is a relaxed, free-flowing conversational group with a simple agenda… to give parents a place to talk, encourage and gather while their children are cared for by our excellent childcare team and Sunday School teachers! This group will meet eachSunday, upstairs in the conference room (straight ahead at the top of the stairs.)
Additionally, don’t forget about our Sunday morning Scripture discussion group, also at9:45am! Each week, this group meets to talk about the Scripture we’ll be focusing on in worship at 10:30am, and some time to pray for each other. Led by Heather Ross, this is a casual, but informative Scripture study and small group. This group meets eachSunday in the Social Hall (straight ahead in the double doors off Mansfield Street).
Faith on Tap meets in East County next Thursday on June 11th! This month's topic is “Forgiveness.” What is forgiveness? Must we forgive in order to be forgiven by God? We will discuss these things and more next week in East county.
Faith on Tap is our casual beer and faith discussion group. We meet in Santee at the home of church members, Alisa & Jonathan. If you’d like directions or want more info, please email Alisa! Everyone is welcome at this event.
Our next free pancake breakfast is June 14th at 8:30am! Come to serve, talk or just eat! Don't worry about feeding your family, let us do the work. Stick around and check out our Sunday School & Worship Service afterwards if you'd like. Please contact Nancy if you're ready and able to help!
We are excited to announce that we have made some wonderful additions to the staff here at Normal Heights UMC! In our ongoing growth and development of ministries, we have brought some people on board for key positions to help us continue to live into our identity here in Normal Heights this summer. Here’s who they are:
Ashley Sanchez
Guest Connector/Wedding Coordinator
You likely already know Ashley if you’ve attended worship here on a Sunday or one of small group discussions. Ashley’s warm personality & engaging questions have always reflected someone who is genuine in her faith journey. For a few months now, she has been serving as our wedding coordinator here. We are super thrilled to announce that she is also taking on a new role of Guest Connector! This means Ashley will be serving as a primary contact for newer guests to the church & community by reaching out to them as a representative of our church. We are excited to have her in this new role to help us extend true hospitality to those who are newer to the community!
Jessica Mount & Austin McKinley
Summer Interns
We are also introducing Jessica and Austin who will be interning here for the summer! Both Austin and Jessica will be helping us with children/youth activities, kids camp/VBS, movie nights and possibly some music on Sundays as well. If you see them at the service, please feel free to greet them and welcome them to the church for the summer as they join our ministries here!
This Sunday after the service, we will be having a “Connector Training” event for about 30 minutes from 11:45 - 12:15, and we would like to invite you to consider if you would like to join this new ministry. Read on for some more information!
A) What are connectors?
Connectors are people who have been filled in on the church’s ministries and events so that they can be a reference or connector for new guests on Sunday mornings. Basically, connectors are like greeters who have attended the training so that they are comfortable in answering questions about who we are as a church and how to be involved. So on Sunday mornings, before coffee time, we will ask all Connectors to stand and to let the guests know that if they have any questions about the church, they can talk to a connector during coffee or after the service. You are a friendly face to help! :)
B) Why do we need connectors?
Our church is in the great position of averaging 2 new guests a week and something like 80% of those guests return another Sunday. What this says to us is that the best thing to be done is to help our church grow is to help people connect. To help them navigate and understand how they can meet people and have quality conversations. So our connectors will just be another set of friendly faces that people can go and ask questions on Sundays!
C) What will we learn at the training?
At the training, I’ll just bring you up to speed on our ministries (Faith on Tap, Bible Study, etc.), our church structure (church staff and their responsibilities, committees, etc.) and tell you about our upcoming church orientation meeting. Basically, you'll just get a “big picture” of the church so you can be a resource for people. And if you don’t have the answer… you’ll know who to ask!
D) I’m maybe interested in helping, but not sure.
No problem! If you think you might at all be interested, come to the 30-minute training onJune 7th and see what it's all about. If you like the idea after that, let Pastor Brent know!
Facebook
Email Pastor Brent
NHUnited.org
Our mailing address is:
Normal Heights United Methodist Church
4650 Mansfield Street
Be here at 5:00pm to help setup.
We will setup for about 45 minutes and then have a picnic time on the grass while people are arriving!
Be here at 6:30 to help staff at the hospitality table.
People at the table will welcome people to the movie, answer easy questions about the church and just be a friendly face. This is an easy but important job!
Come to the movie!
Be here at 7:15 to watch the movie and sit with neighbors. Plus, this is a great film!
Help breakdown after the movie at 10:00pm.
Many hands make the work go quickly!
If you are able to participate, send Pastor Brent an email (brent@nhunited.org) and please let him know this week! We can't wait to see you there!
We have a new small group starting at 9:45am on Sundays! The Parenting Support Group is an informal parents group that meets to discuss the challenges and rewards of parenting. This is a relaxed, free-flowing conversational group with a simple agenda… to give parents a place to talk, encourage and gather while their children are cared for by our excellent childcare team and Sunday School teachers! This group will meet eachSunday, upstairs in the conference room (straight ahead at the top of the stairs.)
Additionally, don’t forget about our Sunday morning Scripture discussion group, also at9:45am! Each week, this group meets to talk about the Scripture we’ll be focusing on in worship at 10:30am, and some time to pray for each other. Led by Heather Ross, this is a casual, but informative Scripture study and small group. This group meets eachSunday in the Social Hall (straight ahead in the double doors off Mansfield Street).
Faith on Tap meets in East County next Thursday on June 11th! This month's topic is “Forgiveness.” What is forgiveness? Must we forgive in order to be forgiven by God? We will discuss these things and more next week in East county.
Faith on Tap is our casual beer and faith discussion group. We meet in Santee at the home of church members, Alisa & Jonathan. If you’d like directions or want more info, please email Alisa! Everyone is welcome at this event.
Our next free pancake breakfast is June 14th at 8:30am! Come to serve, talk or just eat! Don't worry about feeding your family, let us do the work. Stick around and check out our Sunday School & Worship Service afterwards if you'd like. Please contact Nancy if you're ready and able to help!
We are excited to announce that we have made some wonderful additions to the staff here at Normal Heights UMC! In our ongoing growth and development of ministries, we have brought some people on board for key positions to help us continue to live into our identity here in Normal Heights this summer. Here’s who they are:
Ashley Sanchez
Guest Connector/Wedding Coordinator
You likely already know Ashley if you’ve attended worship here on a Sunday or one of small group discussions. Ashley’s warm personality & engaging questions have always reflected someone who is genuine in her faith journey. For a few months now, she has been serving as our wedding coordinator here. We are super thrilled to announce that she is also taking on a new role of Guest Connector! This means Ashley will be serving as a primary contact for newer guests to the church & community by reaching out to them as a representative of our church. We are excited to have her in this new role to help us extend true hospitality to those who are newer to the community!
Jessica Mount & Austin McKinley
Summer Interns
We are also introducing Jessica and Austin who will be interning here for the summer! Both Austin and Jessica will be helping us with children/youth activities, kids camp/VBS, movie nights and possibly some music on Sundays as well. If you see them at the service, please feel free to greet them and welcome them to the church for the summer as they join our ministries here!
This Sunday after the service, we will be having a “Connector Training” event for about 30 minutes from 11:45 - 12:15, and we would like to invite you to consider if you would like to join this new ministry. Read on for some more information!
A) What are connectors?
Connectors are people who have been filled in on the church’s ministries and events so that they can be a reference or connector for new guests on Sunday mornings. Basically, connectors are like greeters who have attended the training so that they are comfortable in answering questions about who we are as a church and how to be involved. So on Sunday mornings, before coffee time, we will ask all Connectors to stand and to let the guests know that if they have any questions about the church, they can talk to a connector during coffee or after the service. You are a friendly face to help! :)
B) Why do we need connectors?
Our church is in the great position of averaging 2 new guests a week and something like 80% of those guests return another Sunday. What this says to us is that the best thing to be done is to help our church grow is to help people connect. To help them navigate and understand how they can meet people and have quality conversations. So our connectors will just be another set of friendly faces that people can go and ask questions on Sundays!
C) What will we learn at the training?
At the training, I’ll just bring you up to speed on our ministries (Faith on Tap, Bible Study, etc.), our church structure (church staff and their responsibilities, committees, etc.) and tell you about our upcoming church orientation meeting. Basically, you'll just get a “big picture” of the church so you can be a resource for people. And if you don’t have the answer… you’ll know who to ask!
D) I’m maybe interested in helping, but not sure.
No problem! If you think you might at all be interested, come to the 30-minute training onJune 7th and see what it's all about. If you like the idea after that, let Pastor Brent know!
Facebook Email Pastor Brent NHUnited.orgOur mailing address is:
Normal Heights United Methodist Church
4650 Mansfield Street
San Diego, California 92116 United States
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