San Diego, California, United States Normal Heights United Methodist Church "This Week in Worship • Jonah: The End" with Senior Pastor, Reverend Brent Ross, for Thursday, 25 September 2014

San Diego, California, United States Normal Heights United Methodist Church "This Week in Worship • Jonah: The End" with Senior Pastor, Reverend Brent Ross, for Thursday, 25 September 2014

What you'll find in this week's email: Quick Announcement This Week in Worship • Jonah: The End Community Life Update Adam's Avenue Street Fair (9/27-28 • 10am-7pm) Sunday School & Adult Discussion Changes (10/12) Community Visioning Project (10/25)

Due to the lack of parking and closed streets during the Street Fair this weekend, our Service will be at 9AM this Sunday! There will also be NO Faith on Tap, due to this week’s many opportunities to volunteer and help at Adams Avenue Street Fair and Aids Walk. See you in October!

Living in South Florida in the late 1980’s meant that I was right in the center of one of our nation’s most intense debates of justice vs. mercy… The execution of Ted Bundy. In this story, Bundy Electrocuted After Night of Weeping, Praying : 500 Cheer Death of Murderer STARKE, Fla. — Ted Bundy, the notorious serial killer, died today in the electric chair after a night of weeping and praying, just as the sun rose over the north Florida plains. Gone was the storied cockiness. He was ashen as two guards led him into the death chamber to be executed for the 1978 rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl. They strapped his chest and arms and legs to the shiny wooden chair. Bundy's eyes searched for familiar faces behind the glass. He nodded to some of the 42 witnesses, including the men who had prosecuted him. His lips moved in a faint mumble. Then his head bowed. The shaved skull glistened where an ointment had been applied. It would enhance the work of the electrodes. His Last Words Supt. Tom Barton asked Bundy if he had any last words. The killer hesitated. His voice quavered. "Jim and Fred, I'd like you to give my love to my family and friends," he said. Jim Coleman, one of his lawyers, nodded. So did Fred Lawrence of Gainesville, Fla., the Methodist minister who had spent the night with Bundy in prayer. With that, it was time. A last thick strap was pulled across Bundy's mouth and chin. The metal skullcap was bolted in place, its heavy black veil falling in front of the condemned man's face. Barton gave the go-ahead. An anonymous executioner pushed the button. Two thousand volts surged through the wires. Bundy's body tensed and his hands tightened into a clench. A tiny puff of smoke lifted from his right leg. Vital Signs Tested A minute later, the machine was turned off, and Bundy went limp. A paramedic opened the blue shirt and listened for a heartbeat. A second doctor aimed a light into his eyes. At 7:16 a.m., Theodore Robert Bundy--one of the most active killers of all time--was pronounced dead. A witnessing newsman raised his hands in signal as he left the Q Wing of Florida State Prison. Across the street, along the dewy grass of a cow pasture, word spread among the 500 or so who had come to be near--almost all to cheer--the execution. Some began chanting, "Burn, Bundy, burn!" And others sang or hugged or banged on the frying pans they had brought along. Lack of Sympathy "I wish I could have been the one flipping the switch," said David Hoar, a policeman from St. Augustine, Fla. In a few moments, the witnesses began strolling the field. They were a somber bunch, and a few were shocked at the celebration that filled the chilly morning air. "Regardless of what Bundy did, he was still a human being," said Jim Sewell, police chief of Gulfport, Fla. But even Sewell, leaden with the sight of an electrocution, said he felt a great relief that Bundy was dead. Religious broadcaster James Dobson, who interviewed Bundy the night before his death, said the prisoner "talked at considerable length about the process of desensitization" he underwent during his series of sex slayings of women across the country. Dobson also said that Bundy had problems with pornography as an adolescent. He said Bundy described a thirst for more violent pornography that increased until "there was nothing more that would give him that high." Claimed to Be Remorseful Dobson said, "He wept several times while talking to me. He expressed great regret, remorse for what he had done, for the families that were hurting." Bundy, 42, placed two last calls to his mother in Tacoma, Wash., to say farewell. At the conclusion of the second, Bundy's mother told him, "You'll always be my precious son," according to today's Tacoma News Tribune. Bundy was convicted of three Florida murders, but he was blamed for dozens more in Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Utah. Technically, he died for the 1978 murder of 12-year-old Kimberly Leach of Lake City, whom he left dead under a collapsed hog shed. George Robert Dekle prosecuted that case--and witnessed Bundy's death: "The thing that kept going through my mind was the awful crime scene I saw 11 years ago. I kept saying to myself that is where it started and this is where it ends." Better Off Than Victims Florida State Trooper Ken Robinson, another witness, said: "I felt no compassion for Bundy whatsoever. He had an easier death than any of his victims." Bundy was still awaiting fulfillment of a separate death sentence for what is known here as the Chi Omega murders, a bloody rampage through the bedrooms of a sorority house at Florida State University. The two bludgeoning deaths there--and the murder of the Leach girl three weeks later--were Bundy's final killings. He was caught by a patrolman in Pensacola, Fla. who thought he looked suspicious. Bundy tried to run, but he slipped and fell in some sand. ____________________________  we are reminded of the sheer brutality and depravity of Bundy’s killings, and as an 11 year old child, I remember the news footage of those who marched outside the state penitentiary that morning, carrying signs which celebrated his execution. There was a sense - deep and almost primal - of justice and balance. The outrage of the horrific crimes and terrible sadness that ensued seemed like it had to go somewhere, and that was in mockery and shouts and cries in the parking lot outside the room where he died.  But there were others. Not as ready-made for television as protesters, but quieter and odder people.  One of these people was the Rev. Fred Lawrence, a Methodist minister, who spent some of Bundy’s last hours with him in prayer. A relatively shy and quiet man (at least where the cameras were concerned), it was Rev. Lawrence who, although from the same community as the victims, went to pray with and for the man responsible. A man that many believed to be a monster… One without conscience. It was reported later that Bundy had wept and begged for God’s forgiveness. What to say about such a thing?    There was something oddly de-centering, even as a kid, to hear that a pastor had gone to pray with this man. My father was a pastor, so naturally when I pictured someone in the room with Bundy praying, I pictured someone like my father. Kind, gentle and with a focus on God’s grace. But even then, something didn’t match up. How did the evil in that room and in that man not overwhelm such gentleness and quiet voice? What, or who in life could possibly not be devoured in the face of such evil except for loud, mocking cries and wild rejoicing of his final moments? What could prayer do in the proximity of so much evil? There were two different responses to such a terrible man. One: the protestors. The other: a quiet pastor. The protestors ending their story of Ted Bundy’s life with a period. It was over. Done. Justice served, and the story draws to a close.  The other response ended with a question mark. An openness and an unsettling question about what may happen next for Bundy when God judges, and would that be different than our justice and our final end to the story? This week we finish the story of Jonah in much the same way. Jonah, sitting outside the terrible city of Nineveh, known for its horrific brutality. He is filled with fury. He is angry with God because God had used Jonah to bring redemption to these killers, and so in the passage he decries God’s actions.  "How could you?” he asks. And as we will see, God’s reply is not what we expect and neither is the ending to this story we have followed so closely for four weeks. It ends abruptly and clearly, without resolution. The question for us, however, is are we comfortable with such an open ending? Or do we demand a period? See you on Sunday at 9am as we finish this story, and if you would like to read the book before then you can find it here. See you Sunday!(Pastor Brent)

Fourth Week in the 4-Week Series on Jonah for Sunday, 28 September 2014
Scripture Text:
Jonah 4: “I Knew This Was Going to Happen!”
1-2 Jonah was furious. He lost his temper. He yelled at God, “God! I knew it—when I was back home, I knew this was going to happen! That’s why I ran off to Tarshish! I knew you were sheer grace and mercy, not easily angered, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn your plans of punishment into a program of forgiveness!
3 “So, God, if you won’t kill them, kill me! I’m better off dead!”
4 God said, “What do you have to be angry about?”
5 But Jonah just left. He went out of the city to the east and sat down in a sulk. He put together a makeshift shelter of leafy branches and sat there in the shade to see what would happen to the city.
6 God arranged for a broad-leafed tree to spring up. It grew over Jonah to cool him off and get him out of his angry sulk. Jonah was pleased and enjoyed the shade. Life was looking up.
7-8 But then God sent a worm. By dawn of the next day, the worm had bored into the shade tree and it withered away. The sun came up and God sent a hot, blistering wind from the east. The sun beat down on Jonah’s head and he started to faint. He prayed to die: “I’m better off dead!”
9 Then God said to Jonah, “What right do you have to get angry about this shade tree?”
Jonah said, “Plenty of right. It’s made me angry enough to die!”
10-11 God said, “What’s this? How is it that you can change your feelings from pleasure to anger overnight about a mere shade tree that you did nothing to get? You neither planted nor watered it. It grew up one night and died the next night. So, why can’t I likewise change what I feel about Nineveh from anger to pleasure, this big city of more than 120,000 childlike people who don’t yet know right from wrong, to say nothing of all the innocent animals?”
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary:
Jonah 4
Verse 1
[1] But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.
It — The divine forbearance sparing Nineveh.
Verse 2
[2] And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.
Was not this — Did I not think of this? That thy pardon would contradict my preaching.
Verse 3
[3] Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.
Than to live — Disgraced and upbraided by hardened sinners, who will brand me for a liar.
Verse 5
[5] So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.
A booth — Some small and mean shed, probably of green boughs.
'Till he might see — It seems the forty days were not fully expired.
Verse 6
[6] And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.
Prepared — Commanded that in the place where Jonah's booth stood, this spreading plant should spring up to be a shade when the gathered boughs were withered.
To deliver — To give some ease to his mind.
Verse 7
[7] But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.
Prepared — By the same power which caused the gourd suddenly to spring, and spread itself.
It smote — Which early next morning, bit the root, so that the whole gourd withered.
Verse 8
[8] And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.
A east wind — A dry, scorching, blasting wind.
Fainted — Overcome by the heat.
Better to die — But Jonah must be wiser, and humbler, and more merciful too, e'er he die. Before God hath done with him, he will teach him to value his own life more, and to be more tender of the life of others.
Verse 9
[9] And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.
I do well to be angry — If in the violence of this passion I should die (as some have) yet were I not to blame. What a speech! Verily the law made nothing perfect!
Verse 10
[10] Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:
Laboured — Thou didst not set it.
Grow — Nor didst thou water or give growth to it.
Verse 11
[11] And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?
I — The God of infinite compassions and goodness.
That great city — Wouldest thou have me less merciful to such a goodly city, than thou art to a weed? Who cannot discern - Here are more than six-score innocents who are infants.
Much cattle — Beside men, women and children who are in Nineveh, there are many other of my creatures that are not sinful, and my tender mercies are and shall be over all my works. If thou wouldest be their butcher, yet I will be their God. Go Jonah, rest thyself content and be thankful: that goodness, which spared Nineveh, hath spared thee in this thy inexcusable frowardness. I will be to repenting Nineveh what I am to thee, a God gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and I will turn from the evil which thou and they deserve.
Sermon Story by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 28 September 2014
Here we go again with Jonah. Jonah was angry that when he preached repentance to the residents of the City of Ninevah that the all the people repented of their sins from rich to poor to people to animals crying out to God as their lives were changed that he went out of the city to a hill overseeing the city. Jonah had a makeshift hut where he watched over the city to see if God would indeed destroy the city. When God relented because of the authentic repentance of the people of the city, Jonah was very angry and kept saying to God that is not this what I feared because of your love and compassion for people who change their live to follow you. Jonah continued to be angry and God allow a plant to grow up to give Jonah shade from the sun, but overnight God allowed the worm to eat the plant's root where the plant withered and died. God then sent a scorching east wind when the sun came up that caused Jonah to faint from the heat. Jonah began to be angry with the worm and the plant that he had nothing to do with. God replied to Jonah asking him why he is angry with the worm and the plant that you had nothing to do with in its growth or coming and destroying the plant. Jonah replied that he had every right to be angry with the worm because of what he did to my shade plant. God said that you are angry with the worm and the plant that you had no control over should I not have compassion on the people and animals of Ninevah that I created who repented of their sins and changed their lives. There are many children, adults, animals, and plants in this great city who need to be given a second chance which I did because of their humble and authentic repentance. What characters in this story do you realte to or not relate to? How do you feel about people who you may feel deserve to be destroyed, but come to a faithful, redeeming relationship with God? How will you respond to people who are different from you in actions, culture, beliefs, and attitudes?
As we continue the story of this young man, we realize that he has graduated from seminary and moved his child who is differently abled back to San Diego where God first spoke to him about preparing for pastoral ministry with the marginalized. The young man may have been angry, but he kept asking the question "When are they going to get it?" meaning the church to reach and be inclusive of all people. In this time of frustration and anger, God led this young man to read or re-read the book written by Pastor Roger Bowman "Color us Christian : the story of the Church of the Nazarene among America's blacks" where I learned of the last President of The Institute in Charleston, West Virginia, United States, Dr. Cunningham, went to Kansas City, Missouri, United States sharing what the Black Institute needed but was not given what he requested. Someone came up to him and asked why he was not angry with the General Board for for not giving what he fully requested and his response was simply "They're get it!" That simple phrase encouraged this young man not to be angry with the church or the leaders because God has a way to reveal to each of His people what is needed to be fully inclusive especially with the people who are differently abled and families as clergy or lay people. Through it all, there have been two hymns that has sustained this young man. The first is "I'd Rather Have Jesus" by Rhea Miller, Music by George Beverly Shea:

1. I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold,

I'd rather be His than have riches untold;

I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands,

I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Than to be the king of a vast domain

Or be held in sin's dread sway;

I'd rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today.

2. I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause,

I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;

I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame,

I'd rather be true to His holy name

Than to be the king of a vast domain

Or be held in sin's dread sway;

I'd rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today.

3. He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom,

He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;

He's all that my hungering spirit needs,

I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead

Than to be the king of a vast domain

Or be held in sin's dread sway;

I'd rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today.

The second Hymn is "Grace Greater Than Our Sin" by Julia H. Johnston, Music by Daniel B. Towner

1. Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, 

grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! 

Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured, 

there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt. 

Refrain:

Grace, grace, God's grace, 

grace that will pardon and cleanse within; 

grace, grace, God's grace, 

grace that is greater than all our sin! 

2. Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, 

threaten the soul with infinite loss; 

grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, 

points to the refuge, the mighty cross. 

Refrain:

Grace, grace, God's grace, 

grace that will pardon and cleanse within; 

grace, grace, God's grace, 

grace that is greater than all our sin!

3. Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. 

What can avail to wash it away? 

Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, 

brighter than snow you may be today. 

Refrain:

Grace, grace, God's grace, 

grace that will pardon and cleanse within; 

grace, grace, God's grace, 

grace that is greater than all our sin!

4. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, 

freely bestowed on all who believe! 

You that are longing to see his face, 

will you this moment his grace receive? 

Refrain:

Grace, grace, God's grace, 

grace that will pardon and cleanse within; 

grace, grace, God's grace, 

grace that is greater than all our sin! 

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AIDS WALK PARTICIPANTS AIDS Walk participants and supporters! It’s not too late to walk! Our church is pleased to be a part of United Methodists who are walking in the AIDS Walk this year, this Saturday, to raise funds for critical services for those who are living with AIDS or HIV. But, for many of us, our participation in the AIDS Walk is personal, because of how it also raises funds for a local United Methodist camp. “Strength for the Journey” is a Methodist camp that is a yearly retreat for those with AIDS or HIV, and it has an incredible 20-year history of providing a place and time for people looking for healing, encouragement and care. This year, Pastor Brent will be one of the “theologians” at the camp, and many others are involved. A large portion of the money we raise for the AIDS Walk will be gifted to the “Strength for the Journey” camp, and we would love your support! If you would like to walk with our church group or donate money to those walking this year, please see our walk sponsors: Jeff and Melissa Burt-Gracik or send an email to Pastor Brent. For the past 33 years, Normal Heights has shut down parts of Adams Avenue for an 8-stage free music festival, carnival, and shopping-fest. During these two full days, thousands of people will be walking past our church, and we want to be ready for them to know who we are! This is a huge opportunity for us to connect and publicize who we are! Here is how you can help:  • Hospitality: We have a play room and baby care area available to get little ones out of the sun to safely get their wiggles out. We need two people to be available to meet and greet families who would like to come in, bring up strollers if needed, and orient them to feeding, changing, and play areas. It's also a good time to share the play groups that are currently going on. • Community Greeters: The Street Fair is a great opportunity to spread the word about our ministries of NHUMC, get people's e-mail addresses, and answer any questions people have about our church. While you're there, you can help hydrate the masses and earn some cash for the church by helping us sell water. If you're interested, join in the fun for a few hours! Just pick a day, a preferred time slot (10am-1pm, 1-4, or 4-7) and let Nancy know. Kids are more than welcome to come help out! Stay for the day! More info about what's at the fair at adamsavenuebusiness.com. Again, due to the Street Fair and lack of parking, we will have our Sunday worship onSeptember 28th at an earlier time of 9am. Mark your calendar now and don't forget! A few weeks ago, this article made the rounds at our office and staff meetings. The article reminded us that the more we separate children from Sunday worship, the harder it will be to get them back in later in life. The article prompted a lot of discussions, and as we talked, we realized that we wholeheartedly agree with the articles assessment that children need a meaningful worship experience in addition to Sunday School. We have therefore created a Sunday morning schedule that will give our children and adults the best of both worlds.   So beginning October 12th, we will be making some exciting changes to our SundaySchool Program and overall Sunday morning schedule. These changes have grown out of trial and error, input from participants, and several staff discussions about what kind of church we want to be and how to best create a truly inter-generational and affirming church for both our children and adults.   In order to sustain a meaningful and effective Sunday School we will be needing 2-3 volunteers each week to help the kids with crafts and games. Please pray about how you might be able to give of your time at least once a month, to be a positive loving example of God’s love to our kids.  Sunday School & Volunteer sign-ups have already begun, so please sign up this coming Sunday! 9:45-10:30 All Church Sunday School Babies & Toddlers: Nursery Room across from Church Office Preschool-Kindergarten: Preschool “Yellow” Room through the Church Kitchen 1st-6th Grade: Room 205 Upstairs (group will be split up 1st-3rd & 4th-6th and rotate through 2 stations) Adults: Room 208 upstairs or Pastor Brent’s office 10:30-11:30 Worship Service  Adults and children of all ages gather in the sanctuary for a time of worship that is about praising God, but also about helping each other to see the sacred in the ordinary parts of life the rest of the week. Activities are in the sanctuary for children, but childcare will also remain available in the nursery for little ones who need it.  ​2nd Sunday Pancake Breakfast Every Second Sunday we will have a pancake breakfast from 8:30-9:45! Come to serve, talk and eat! ​ We are at a crucial turning point in the life of our Church Community. We have been together for over a year now, and it is time to put our dreams and talents together to come up with the best and most effective ways to minister to our Community. To begin this process, we will be conducting one on one listening conversations with people at NHUMC, and also with people within the community. If you would like to be a part of this, save the date! We'll have a training meeting the morning of October 25th on how to have effective one on one listening conversations. Stay tuned for more details! Contact Nancy atnancy@nhunited.org, or call at (858) 518-5714 for more info.

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