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Subject: sermon reflections for 1/30/11

1/28/2011

Greetings,

Our worship attendance was down last week because of the snowstorm. But sixteen men and woman made it to our program planning meeting after lunch. We began plans for a very exciting event Saturday May 14. We want as many people as possible to take part; all age groups included. So circle this date on your calendar and do your best to hold it open. You’ll be hearing more details about this in the weeks and months ahead.

The Administrative Council met January 20 to begin their work for 2011. The education committee has also met. All other committees need to meet in February to begin their work for the year. Committee chairpersons, please let Rev. Textor know when and where your group will meet.

Be sure to continue in prayer for the Darlene Frizzell and Mark Strong families and others who are grieving the loss of loved ones. Also include Ilene Parkhill (should be able to resume chemo treatments soon), Edith Haines (chemo treatments), Lonnie Smith (lung cancer), Gordon Frizzell (broken bone in leg), Gene Gleaves (recovering from knee replacement surgery), and Dorothy Brandes’ daughter Shari (in Emmanuel Hospital with intense back pain), and Dorothy Brandes’ grandson Richie (back brace).
And don’t forget to pray for those who will be choosing the new pastor for this church.

For this Sunday (30th)

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12
Sermon Title: Congratulations

For Reflection

What kinds of people, attitudes, or behavior does Jesus address in this passage from the Sermon on the Mount?
Do you identify with any of them?
What rewards (blessing, happiness, congratulations) does Jesus promise his listeners?
How are these blessings made possible?
Do you know any persons who seem to fit in one or more of the rewards category?

LOVE & JOY
TEXtor

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sermon reflections for 1/23/11

1/20/2011

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Hello again,

Last Sunday we took our special offering for the kid’s school milk program. You can still contribute this coming Sunday. Also, the children sang for us, first the younger ones and then the older ones. That’s always a special treat!

Tonight (Thursday) at 7:00 p.m. is our first Administrative Council meeting for 2011.

This SUNDAY is our annual program planning event. If you are on the church officer’s/leaders list, please plan to attend. We’ll serve a catered lunch (free will offering) sometime between 11:30 and noon. After lunch we’ll gather in a large group to review our church goals for 2011 so that each committee can begin deciding, with the tasks they are responsible for, how their group can help us reach these goals. Also, as a large group we’ll brainstorm ways in which we can extend our ministries into the community. Finally, each committee will meet to organize their work for the year. Dismissal time is 3:00 p.m.

This week our specific prayer concerns include Ilene Parkhill (hoping to resume chemo treatments soon), Edith Haines (chemo treatments), Gordon Frizzell (broken bone in leg), Dorothy Brandes’ daughter Sheri (critical condition with crushed vertebrae), Dorothy Brandes’ grandson Richie (back brace), and Wanda Seydel (Shirley’s preacher friend confined to bed until further notice).

For this Sunday (23rd)

Scripture: I Corinthians 1:10-18
Sermon Title: Has Christ Been Divided?

For Reflection

Has our church ever faced division? In what way?
What happens when people in the church align themselves with different leaders or different beliefs?
In what ways can this behavior be destructive to a faith community?
What did Paul say the church needed to remember in order to achieve unity?
What happens when we fail to make decisions in our church without considering what God/Jesus would want? (and sometimes we will!)
What do we need to remember when divisions appear among us?
Reflect on this statement by Jurgen Moltmann: “The nearer we come to Christ, the nearer we come together.”

LOVE & JOY
TEXtor

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sermon reflections for 1/16/11

1/14/2011

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Greetings friends,

Our service of baptismal renewal Sunday was very meaningful. Sorry if weather or other concerns kept you away.

By now you’ve received word that I will be retiring as of June 30. That will mean changes for you and for me. Right now my intention is to move to Southeast Iowa. When I know more I’ll let you know. Also, your Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee is working with the District Superintendent, Brian Milford, to make way for a new pastor. When they know more, they’ll let you know!

This week our specific prayer concerns include Ilene Parkhill (out of hospital, will have port put in place, hopes to resume chemo soon), Gordon Frizzell (broken bone in leg), Jim Johnson (hospitalized in Jenny Ed for gall bladder removal), Mark Martens (slow progress with migraine headaches and back problems), Wanda Seydel (Shirley’s preacher friend confined to bed until further notice), Roma Smith family (her funeral is this week), and victims of recent shootings (Millard, Nebraska and Tucson, Arizona).

Check the newsletter--if you are on the church officer list be sure to save Sunday, January 23 from noon to 3:00 p.m. for our annual program planning event. This is a chance to touch base with your work committee and determine how your group can support our 2011 church goals. Also, be thinking—how can we extend our ministries into the community? The lunch will be catered.

Members of the Administrative council, you will begin your regular monthly meetings Thursday, January 20 at 7:00 p.m.

For this Sunday (16th)

•       Scripture: John 1:29-42
•       Sermon Title: Take This Name and Live It

For Reflection

1.      What do you think John meant when he called Jesus the Lamb of God?
2.      What other titles are given Jesus in this scripture passage?
3.      How did Peter come to know Jesus?
4.      Have you ever had an “Andrew” introduce you to Jesus?
5.      Have you ever been an “Andrew” for someone else?
6.      In what ways can you live out the name Christian?

LOVE & JOY
TEXtor

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Subject: sermon reflections for 1/9/11

1/6/2011

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Greetings all,

Hope you can be on hand this Sunday for our ritual of baptismal renewal—and a special announcement!

This week our specific prayer concerns include Ilene Parkhill (back in the hospital), Doc Blanchard (heart attack), Mark Martens (back problems), and Gene Gleaves (replacement surgery).

If you are on the church officer list be sure to save Sunday, January 23 from noon to 3:00 p.m. for our annual program planning event. This is a chance to touch base with your work committee and determine how your group can support our 2011 church goals. Also, be thinking—how can we extend our ministries into the community? The lunch will be catered.

Members of the Administrative council, you will begin your regular monthly meetings Thursday, January 20 at 7:30 p.m.

For this Sunday (9th)

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17
Sermon Title: Named and Called

For Reflection

Why do you think people went to John to be baptized?
Why was John reluctant to baptize Jesus?
What happened to Jesus as he came out up of the water?
How is baptism related to ministry?
How seriously are you taking your baptism?

LOVE & JOY
TEXtor

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oakland united methodist church

Subject: sermon reflections for 1/30/11

sermon reflections for 1/23/11

sermon reflections for 1/16/11

Subject: sermon reflections for 1/9/11

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