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Worship Preview 10.27.24

        

First United Methodist Church  for 10.26.24 edition

 

SATURDAY, Oct 26th -  Gospel Concert at 6pm featuring Ernie Couch and Revival! Join your neighbors in our Sanctuary for another freewill offering Gospel Concert. “From its inception, EC&R has produced high energy, emotionally colorful music reflective of the diverse musical heritage that has made Music City home of Nashville internationally famous. The groups unique blend of traditional, country, and contemporary gospel music speaks to people of all ages and all walks of life.” Invite a friend!

 

This Sunday: 10:30am – “Do Unto Others: Respect” Rev. Christopher Eshelman preaching. Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 12:1-26, Genesis 1:27-28, John 1:1-5, John 8:1-11.

This Sunday we will talk about R.E.S.P.E.C.T. and what it means. I’ve been humming Aretha Franklin’s 1967 hit each time I’ve worked on this service. I learned the song was first recorded by Otis Redding in 1965 and that the two versions have important, if subtle differences. And while focus of the songs may be slightly different, together they highlight how all of us want to be treated and the difficulty of getting that respect in our complicated human relationships.

 

In 2015, a crucial insight about respect and living out the Golden Rule was concisely stated by a social media user then known as “stimmyabby,” who posted: “Sometimes people use "respect" to mean "treating someone like a person" and sometimes they use "respect" to mean "treating someone like an authority." This means sometimes people who are used to being treated like an authority say, "If you don’t respect me, I won’t respect you" but what they mean is, "If you don’t treat me like an authority, I won’t treat you like a person." They think they’re being fair, but they aren’t, and it’s not OK.”

 

The Scriptures listed above tell the story of God intentionally creating humans different from one another and called into community. They talk about the Word, who we encounter in the person of Jesus Christ, being present at creation and nothing being created without him. Combined with John 1’s beautiful light imagery, these creation stories keep us grounded. We are invited to see everyone else – our neighbors, our enemies, everyone(!) as also being created in God’s image. This is the basis of respect. Aldous Huxley, the author of the dystopian masterpiece “Brave New World,” once said that “the purpose of propaganda is to make one set of people forget that other sets are human.” Throughout this series we have talked about how misinformation and disinformation undermine Jesus’ call to “do unto others as you would have done unto you.” We’ll consider this through the lens of a familiar story of accusation and Jesus’ response.

 

Join us Sunday as we continue this deep dive into how we live out our discipleship. As we prepare to talk about respect, a refresher on past weeks of the series: We started the series with Proverbs and wisdom – we saw that iron sharpens iron – in our own disagreements as well as in the words of Scripture. We noted that kindness, as a fruit of the Spirit, is not merely being “nice” – but genuinely wanting and working towards the best for the other, as well as for ourselves. 

 

Then we talked compassion growing from kindness and curiosity – knowing someone well enough that we can truly “do unto others” as they would have done. As part of that, I noted the difference between fable and fiction that becomes practice and disinformation that deceives. Our baptismal vows promise to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves and that clearly includes bearing false witness and disinformation which goes beyond merely being wrong into being malicious. We need to engage others with a commitment to truth and humility. We might be wrong and that is an opportunity to grow!

 

Last week, we noted that the root of the word “human” is the same as the word “humility.” It all means literally “on the ground.” From dust we came, and to dust we shall return. When we hear each other’s fears, anxieties, and pain, we can return to the ground of hope… that we are all experiencing the pains of being human.  Sometimes we think of humility as degrading or eliminating ourselves, but that is not what Jesus does. We noted that humility can be seen as “being the right size” in a given situation and that Jesus illustrates this in his teaching, healing, questions, and stories as well as his journey through the cross to resurrection.

 

All of this comes together in the discipline of being fruitful – that is seeking to ensure that all we do and support creates love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) – and that when what we do and support does not generate those kinds of fruit, we take a step back and reconsider our choices. Join us each Sunday at 10:30am as we seek to share the good news, exemplify Christ, and know, grow, serve, and share in Christ’s name! You do not have to have all the answers, or even all of the questions figured out, but if you do not already have a church home or it time for a change, we invite you to journey with us as we seek to find our path and share our journey! Look for the yard signs with the heart and “join the campaign” encouraging us all to live lives of kindness, respect, love, humility, and compassion – reflecting the faith of Christ! 

 

Upcoming Events: 

 

Wednesday, October 30th 5:30–6:30pm: Feeding Families in His Name – this free meal is available to everyone without obligation. A “to-go” meal is distributed under the portico at 301 S. National. A reminder: Please do not block nearby driveways while waiting. Thank you. If you would like to support this ministry, you can make donations online at: www.firstumcfortscott.org/onlinegiving

 

Trunk or Treat! Thursday, October 31st at 5:30pm bring the kids or grandkids for games and candy – or decorate your own car and hand out candy here! We will block off the lot behind the church at 5:20pm for safety and finish at sundown. Celebrate “All Hallows Eve” with us at 3rd and Main!

 

 

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