the nutshell - chestnutst.org · given by: sybil davis in memory of peggy morgan designated general...

Chestnut Street United Methodist Church

200 East 8th Street

Lumberton, NC 28359

NUTSHELL (PUBLICATION NO. 103-120) is published monthly by the Chestnut Street United Methodist Church, 200 E. 8 th Street,

Lumberton, NC 28358. Periodical postage is paid at Lumberton, NC POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Nutshell, PO Box

1464, Lumberton, NC 28358

Church Staff

PASTOR

Rev. Herbert Lowry,

Jr.

DIRECTOR OF

EDUCATION

Jan Kennedy

ADMINISTRATIVE

ASSISTANT

Kyle Donaldson

FINANCIAL

PROCESSOR

Debra Lewis

YOUTH

DIRECTOR

Kyle Donaldson

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Harriette Lovin

ORGANIST

Angie Carter

CUSTODIAN

Dennis McBayne

910-739-3304

www.chestnutst.org

[email protected]

CIVIL OBEDIENCE Every person is to be in subjection to the

governing authorities. For there is no authority

except from God, and those which exist are

established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists

authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and

they who have opposed will receive condemnation

upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear

for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have

no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will

have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of

God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be

afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for

it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath

on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is

necessary to be in subjection, not only because of

wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For because of

this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God,

devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all

what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to

whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom

honor. (Romans 13:1-7 NASB)

Although the book of Romans is the Apostle

Paul’s most systematic, thought-out, theological treaty, it

should still be viewed as an occasional letter. What I

mean by this is, he is writing to address issues regarding

a particular congregation in a particular

context. However, the principles set forth are applicable

for our present time and context. I confess I have always

had difficultly surrendering to the authority of the

State/Government. This is due, in part, because of my

personal family history and cultural identity. In short, I

felt the government was unfair, biased and unjust. For

me, Lady Justice was not blind as her statute and symbols

suggested and her “scales of justice” were tilted in favor

of the majority.

It is clear from the above passage that Christians

are called upon to be subject to the governing powers of

the State. But is the State always right/correct? Are there

times when Christians should disobey the State for

conscience sake? When the State enacts Laws contrary to

Biblical principles

should we still

obey? If it is legal,

does this mean it is

not Sin? Though I

view the State as

suspect (after all it

was the governing

authority which

killed my Lord), I

submit myself

under its yoke

because of my faith

nevertheless.

What I find most bothersome, as a

Pastor, is how easily Christians and the Church

in general, look to and/or rely upon State Laws

to derive theological conclusions! Please hear

me. The disciple of Christ looks neither to

state laws, nor political opinion polls for

her/his Christian convictions. “The B-I-B-L-E,

oh that’s the book for me” is the primary

source and THE only rule for Christian Faith

and practice. Furthermore, to declare that

“Jesus Christ is Lord” is both affirmation and

protest. It is affirmation in that the disciple has

surrendered all to Him and seeks to be in His

service to humanity. It is protest in that it is a

reminder to ALL the pseudo-powers,

governments and kings of the earth that their

reign is temporary. In short, if Jesus Christ is

Lord, then Caesar (government) is not. I have

never experienced, in my short lifetime, a

period where the State is in such conflict with

traditional, orthodox Christian doctrine. I

believe the Church in North America is

entering into a dispensation where the disciple

of Christ will be rejected, and find it necessary

to stand in defense of the Faith. I view this as a

great time of opportunity. Revival, renewal

and “great awakenings” have always taken

place under such distress, distraction and

disillusioning. No longer will the disciple of

Christ be able to passively sit on the

sideline. He/she will find it necessary to take

up the cross. I pray to God for strength and

conviction to “fight the good fight” and be

labeled among the “fellowship of the un-

ashamed.” “May I not finch in the face of

sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity,

negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at

the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze

of mediocrity.” When Christ bids us come, He

bids us to come die with Him.

-Herbert

The Nutshell CHESTNUT STREET UNITED METHODIST

CHURCH 200 East 8

th Street

Lumberton, NC 28358

July, 2016

MISSION STATEMENT: Worship, Welcome and Nurture as We

Serve Christ in Love.

Lumberton Assisted Living: Margaret White

Golden Living: Virginia Martin, Carlene Burns, Gladys Gullatte

Glenflora: Cleo Beasley

Woodhaven: Margie Britt

Quail Haven Village: Faye & Olin Welsh

Missionaries: Rev. Virgil (Butch) Huffman, Missionary, UMVIM, 226 George Wilton Dr., Clayton, N.C. 27520

Wesley Pines Retirement Center: Ellenor Lorman, Lois Huggins, Mary Stephenson Townsend,

Margaret Folger, Dorothy Ruddle, Helen Wehunt, J.B. Helms,

Catherine Black, Jesse & Mary Lamm, Pete Gammon ****If you have a prayer request or wish to add someone to our prayer concerns, please call Jane West at cell phone

number 734-2848. ****

PAT (Senior Adult Fellowship) will not meet in July or August. Candy Sue’s is

closed on July 5 and some members will attend the senior conference at Lake

Junaluska the first week in August. We will resume PAT meetings on Tuesday,

September 6. Our thanks to Kathryn Calvert for the Father’s Day devotion and

Carolyn McNeill for the pretty bags of candy at the June 7 meeting.

Juanita Sinclair / (Jean Crouch’s sister)

Gibson Gray/(member)

Robert McClintock / (Kristen Stone’s father)

Pat Odom / (Linda Wade’s cousin)

Angie Carter / (Staff)

Lessie Stephens / (Ann Pittman’s cousin)

Charlie Britt/(Jeff Paul’s friend)

Linda Wade /(member)

Deborah Groves/(member)

Richard Walker/(Linda Wade family friend)

Robert Everson/(Jon Everson’s father)

Joyce Darr/(Amby Taylor’s mom)

Buck Hardin/(Dr. Ben Hardin’s brother) Brittany

Sumner/(David Sumner’s niece)

Margie Britt/(Friend)

Dorothy Watts/(Member) Robert Taylor/(Friend)

Lou Crouch/(Jean Crouch’s daughter–in–law) Lucy

Cline/(Member)

Kenny Boomer/(Libby Welsh’s nephew)

Ann Chaney/(Friend)

Mary Mason/(Member)

Jerry Wesiner/(Bobby Pittman’s brother-in-law)

Prison Ministry /Jon Everson & Eddie Smith

(Leaders)

Denise Britt / (Vicky Talton’s sister)

Bill Israel / (Vicky Talton’s father)

J.P. Powers / (Angela Sumner’s cousin)

Lester Hardin / (Mike Hardin’s father)

Gary Hunt/(Becky Ward’s brother)

Trina Pittman/(Ann Pittman’s cousin)

Olga Diaz/(Rosemary Long’s family)

Jacob Moore & Moore family/(Leslie Nance’s

friends)

Bill Windley/(member)

Lori Maring & her son Jake / (Julia Ledwell’s

sister)

Susie Peregory/(Amby Taylor’s sister)

Laura Artis/ (Member)

Flossie Maria Hunt/(Connie Lowry’s friend)

Thomas Miller/(Vickie Talton’s stepfather)

Jon Thorston/(Member)

Shirlyen Page/(Lucy Cline’s daughter)

Lynda Price/(Member)

Phiena Doares/(Member) Glenda Weisner/(Danny Pittman’s sister)

PRAYER CONCERNS

WEDNESDAY NITE L.I.V.E. (Live in Victory Everyday)

Join the Chestnut Street UMC family for a midweek time of fellowship and a delicious meal in Asbury Hall.

Meal Cost:

$6 for 7th

graders-adults

$3 for K-6th

graders.

Preschoolers eat free.

Our meals are catered by Abigail’s Tearoom of Lumberton. Meals are served at 5:30 p.m. and following the meal

we enjoy a time of fun, games, and a meditation. This is a wonderful time to get to know each other as a Christian

family. Please make dinner reservations by noon on Tuesdays by calling the church at 739-3304. Our menus are

posted on the church website: www.Chestnutst.org.

July Birthdays Children’s Birthdays

July 12. Emily Hall

Youth/Young Adults’ Birthdays

July 5. Will Norton

6. Alec Dent

9. Matthew Carter

11. Cole Hill

13. Callie Davis

19. Kayleigh Gabriel

24. Hannah Moore

26. Joshua Bengston

29. Joshua Sumner

30. Mark Bergstresser

Mission Committee Update Robeson County Church and Community Center

Food Pantry The Church and Community Center Food Pantry needs

our help to restock their shelves. The food is used for

those who cannot provide enough food for their

families.

The Food for the Month of July: Canned meat &

canned fruit

but the cabinets are very bare so if you want to bring

any extra food, it will be welcomed.

Please leave food items in the baskets in the Education

Building.

THANK YOU

The Family of Agnes Stanton would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the members of Chestnut Street

Church for the overwhelming amount of prayers, support and kindness that was shown to us due to the passing of

our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Love you dearly,

The Family of Agnes Stanton

Dear church family,

The most difficult part of moving to Florida is being apart from our Chestnut Church family. Our 13 years with

you were the foundational years for our children. You all showed us the hands, feet, and smiles of Jesus. The

examples of Dot Wilkerson, Keith Taylor, Betsy Kinlaw, Jan Kennedy, Judy Seals, and so many others have

made a lasting, eternal impact on, and investment in, our family. We have been incredibly blessed and will carry

forward the love of Jesus through Chestnut Church as we go into another part of God's creation. We will leave

Dominic with you to finish his senior year of high school. We only do so with the confidence that he will still be

with family - all of you. We will likely be up and down the east coast and look forward to worshiping at Chestnut

at every opportunity.

Blessings to you all,

the Dent family

http://www.chestnutst.org/

Memorials In memory of Buck Stubbs

Designated General fund Given By: The Chandler Family Given By: Bess & Jimmy Harrington Given by: Sybil Davis

In memory of Peggy Morgan Designated General Fund

Given By: Phiena & Bill Doares Given By: Elizabeth & Bruce Jobe

In memory of Fran Tusai Designated General Fund

Given By: Elizabeth & Bruce Jobe

Riddles of the Month

1. I never was, am always to be, no one ever saw me,

nor ever will, and yet I am the confidence of all to

live and breathe on this terrestrial ball. What am I?

2. Pronounced as one letter, and written with three,

two letters there are, and two only in me. I’m

double, I’m single, I’m black, blue and gray, I’m

read from both ends, and the same either way?

3. What is a photographer’s favorite food? (Credit:

Frank Daughtrey)

ANSWERS FOR APRIL RIDDLES 1. I Am more useful when I am broken. What am I? An Egg

2. A car’s odometer shows 72927 miles, a palindrome

number. What are the minimum miles you would need to

travel to form another? 73037

3. What word starting with BR, that with the addition of the

letter E, becomes another word that sounds the same as

the first? Braking becomes breaking

In Honor of the Chancel Choir & Praise Team

Designated Music Memorials Given By: Mack & Harriette Lovin

In memory of Lois Huggins Designated General Fund

Given By: Jean O. Crouch Given By: William B. Gallagher Given By: Linda, Johnnie, Jr., Harriet & Bryan

Designated Flower Fund Given By: The Joy Sunday School Class

In memory of Eva Cooper Designated General Fund

Given By: Bess & Jimmy Harrington

In Honor of Kyle Donaldson Designated Doris’ Kids Foundation

Given By: Jan & Garry Kennedy

In Honor of the marriage of Zella Cooper Settlemyre &

Jerry Settlemyre Designated James & Rosa Cooper

Scholarship Fund Given By: Donna Hicks

YOUTH MISSION TRIP WILL BE JULY 17

THROUGH JULY 23RD

.

Registrars: Frances Britt, Ann Neese

Set Decorator: Corales Clapp, Edie Duncan

Snacks: Diane Buri, Edie Duncan

Puppet/Skit: Betsy Kinlaw, Kyle Donaldson

Music: Rosemary Long, Harriette Lovin

Crafts: Jane West, Lou Ann Cleveland, Jane Thompson, Dale Gifford

Storytelling: Kyle Donaldson, Betsy Kinlaw, Jessica Townsend, Lexi Stone,

Grace Stone

Games: Shannon Luper, Amby Taylor, Bailee Luper

Life Guard Guides: Connie Lowry, Donna Valenti, Linda Wade, Brittany

Wade, Michelle Howell, Heather Miller, Mary Grace Norton, Jay White,

Isabella Wright, Pastor Herbert Lowry Jr., Jordan Lowry, Celeste McLean,

Liam White, Destiny Mishue

Photographer: Frank Daughtrey

Director: Jan Kennedy

Vacation Bible School Mission Project The mission project for VBS was the “Front Door Lunch Bag Ministry”. On many occasions hungry persons come to our church doors and are hungry. We offer them a bag meal filled with non perishable items. The Morning Glory Sunday School class has operated this ministry for many years. This year we asked the children to assist with this ministry and they collected a total of 212 items and brought in a monetary offering of $129.14 so that items can be purchased. The VBS volunteers were honored by a donation to this same ministry. Thanks to all who supported this years’ VBS mission project.

Thank you to all volunteers who so willingly served at Vacation Bible School last

week. Our children are truly blessed by the care of so many. Jan

VBS STAFF 2016 Surf Shack

July

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1.

2.

3.

9:30 Sunday School

10:30 Worship

5:00 Pastor’s Bible

Study

4.

Office Closed

5. 9:00 Weight Watchers Meeting

11:30 PAT – Candy Sue’s

6:00 Weight Watchers Meeting

6.


Study

5:30 WNL

6:30 Mission Committee

Meeting

7.

10:00 Pastor’s

Book Study

8.

9.

10.

9:30 Sunday School

10:30 Worship


Study

11.

12:00 Emmaus

Reunion

12.



13.


Study

5:30 WNL

6:30 Finance Committee

Meeting

14.

10:00 Pastor’s

Book Study

15.

16.

17.

8:00 UMM Breakfast

9:30 Sunday School

10:30 Worship


Study

18.

19.



20.


Study

5:30 WNL

6:30 Trustees Committee

Meeting

21.

10:00 Pastor’s

Book Study

22.

23.

10:30

Hope’s

Table

24.

9:30 Sunday School

10:30 Worship


Study

Nutshell Deadline

25.

12:00 Emmaus

Reunion

26.


10:30 Wesley Pines Worship


27.


Study

5:30 WNL

28.

10:00 Pastor’s

Book Study

29. 30.

31.

9:30 Sunday School

10:30 Worship

12:00 Hallelujah

Buffet


Study

ACOLYTES

3. Celeste & Ella McLean

10. Dominic & Elena Dent

17. Walt Bailey & Liam White

24. David & Sam Ervin

ALTAR GUILD

Brenda McLean

Scott McLean

LECTOR

Ken Windley

MONTHLY NURSES

Joyce Musselwhite

Pat Horne

Jean Harris

Jo Ann Falls

NURSERY HELPER

Brittany Wade

USHERS

Becky & Lawrence Ward

Dave & Lauren Morse

Tim & Sharon Bell

TRUSTEE OF THE MONTH

Eddie Smith

STEPHEN MINISTERS

3. Jan Kennedy

10. Garry Kennedy

17. Jon Everson

24. Lee Summersett

31. Lynda Price

OFFERING VERIFICATION

3. Keith Taylor & Susan Hayes

10. Debra Lewis & Linda Wade

17. Greg Price & Jimmy Harrington

24. Angela Sumner & Gayle Windley

31. Mike Hardin & Diane Buri

P.A.T. JULY BIRTHDAYS

8. Mary Lamm

12. Dot Davis

16. Jean Harris

FLOWER CHART

3. Myra Norton

10. Available

17. Available

24. Available

31. Available

July

If you choose a florist other than

Flowers By Billy please let Billy know

so the church will not be charged.

STEWARDSHIP – JUNE

AVERAGE WORSHIP ATTENDANCE 155

AVERAGE SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE 82

OFFERING IN JUNE: $42,881.90

OFFERING NEEDED MONTHLY: $36,440

ATTENDANCE GOALS FOR JULY ARE SUNDAY SCHOOL 110 AND WORSHIP 200

HOPE TO SEE YOU IN CHURCH!

Resolutions There were only two resolutions this year, both of which passed without dissent.

The first, brought by First UMC in Rocky Mount, was titled “A Resolution of Thanksgiving.” It

called for the conference to give thanks for the visionary leadership of Dewey G. Clark, who became

president of N.C. Wesleyan College in 2014. Under his leadership, it said, the college has been the

fastest-growing college in the state for the past two years.

The second, titled “Public Funding Issues in North Carolina,” cited high teacher turnover and

low teacher pay and called on the North Carolina Annual Conference and Western North Carolina

Annual Conference to support public education through nine initiatives:

Honor teachers; encourage young people to enter the teaching profession; insist on the best

textbooks; advocate for the inclusion of “differently-abled” students and ensure that teachers have the

training to meet these children’s needs; advocate for adequate public school funding and equitable

distribution of state funds; offer candidate forums during school board elections; advocate for

strengthened teacher training; advocate for universal, early and quality preschool education for all

children; and advocate for public education as a basic human right and not rely on school fund-raising

and state alternative revenues, “such as gambling.” for financial support.

It was amended from the floor to ask church members to write to their legislators to share these

concerns and to express the concerns through newspapers.

Annual Conference notes The conference raised more than $1.112 million for Imagine No Malaria, exceeding the

$1million goal, during a three-year campaign. Bishop Ward said the money will save 111,288

lives. The overall Methodist church raised $68.5 million.

Chaplain Dave Smith, in speaking about the Soul Care Initiative, said that more than 740,000

North Carolinians, almost 10 percent of our state population, are veterans, many with severe

injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. He said Soul Care Initiative resources churches to

help returning veterans and their families reintegrate into the community, and wants to help

churches help veterans find hospitality and spiritual care to create a climate of healing and care.

A special offering at the conference raised $9,189.57 for the Mission Endowment Fund, which

provides resources for new missions, such as the development of a church within a Harnett

County prison.

The Rev. Leonard Fairley was endorsed as a nominee for bishop. The election of bishops will be

at the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference, nine southeastern states, July 13-15 at Lake

Junaluska. Our own pastor, Herbert Lowry Jr., has been elected to participate.

Without providing numbers, it was announced that a record was set for youth attendance.

Respectfully submitted by Bob Horne

Conferees met in Greenville June 16-18 in a conference devoid of controversy and squeezed into

three instead of the customary four days. It was the last in a quadrennium, 2013-2016, focusing on the

strength we receive from God. Each year focused on one aspect of that relationship. This year’s focus

was “Give!” Some 1,500 clergy and laity gathered for worship, praying, Bible study, communion and to

conduct the conference’s business.

There was only one passing mention of General Conference, the worldwide conference for all of

Methodism, which was earlier in the month in Portland, Oregon. And for the first time in years there was

no mention of a topic that has divided Methodists since the 1970s: gays in the church and whether the

Book of Discipline should be changed to be more accommodating of gays. That matter was put on hold

again at General Conference, which meets every four years.

Next year’s Annual Conference will be in Greenville on the same dates, but will be on Friday,

Saturday and Sunday, ending on Father’s Day. Typically, conferences have concluded on Saturday.

Bishop Hope Morgan Ward said the change was made in hopes that more “young professionals” can

attend. She said the Western North Carolina Conference will have its annual conference on the same

dates.

Membership, participation down Conference Statistician George Speake delivered bad news, reporting that virtually all

membership and participation declined in the conference in 2015. He said it was the biggest decline he

has seen in 20 years. The decline came on the heels of slight increases in most categories in 2013 and

2014, which broke a long streak of decreases.

Total membership fell 1,101, to 228,611, and average worship attendance fell 2,446, to 74,450,

only about 32.6 percent of membership. He reported that professions of faith fell 428 to 2,378, and

membership transfers from other denominations were down 237 from 2014, to 1,248.

The Rev. Speake said churches are spending more money for church programming and made

$17.5 million in building improvements in 2015. He encouraged all lay and clergy to spend time this

summer and fall preparing for the annual January reporting period. He reminded everyone that money

spent by the local church is reported on Table II, which is the only report used to calculate

apportionments. Therefore, he said, it is imperative that the records are correct.

‘Reaching Every Generation’ In a breakout session titled “Reaching Every Generation,” the Rev. Steve James acknowledged

the difficulty in getting younger and older generations talking to each other. James is president of Steve

James Coaching. He was minister of Parish Life at Charlotte’s Myers Park UMC from 2003 until 2008

and director of Congregational Development for the Western North Carolina Conference from 2008 until

2013.

“The church doesn’t grow when you’re sitting inside the building," he said. “It grows when

you’re on the move. We can’t just wait for people to come in. I’m not going to ask you to go out and go

door to door," but he said he believes churches can do more reaching out within the framework of what

they’re doing now.

James said he has learned that young people have a hunger to learn who they are. He told a story

of helping to start a church in Las Cruces, New Mexico through a telemarketing campaign, which he

doesn’t recommend because he doesn’t believe it would work today. But, he said, 180 people showed up

that first Sunday, largely through the work of a 14-year-old, very-committed girl who worked tirelessly

calling people on the phone.

He said churches today need a systematic outreach campaign through what he calls “a currency

of love," or simple conversation. He told of how people walked trails ages ago and stopped to speak with

2016 N.C. Annual Conference

others they met on the trail. Then came electricity and the radio, the telephone and television. He recalled

how he remembers three TV channels at first and how more than 3,000 are available now.

Furthermore, he said, there is the computer in-box. So instead of stepping around a cubicle at

work and speaking with someone, people are sending emails or texts.

“Conversation has been driven out of our society,” he said.

But there, at the workplace, is where he said conversation needs to be restored and where to

reach young families with busy and complicated lives. There, he said, the different generations can

engage one another and participate in conversation, which in turn can result in more young people

coming to church.

He said 42 percent of the work force consists of millennials, people who are 19-36, “and the best

way to reach them is where they’re working.” People love to talk about themselves, he said, “and if

you’ll listen, they’ll open up and tell you their story. ... The spirit of Jesus that lives in you is what you

need” to engage young people and over time interest them in church.

He told of a program that works for some churches: Take a pastor to work. He said young people

“are so thrilled to tell you about their life and let you see what they do.” And that provides the pastor a

“conduit” to reach other younger adults.

Older people can engage in the “grandparent experience,” he said, and make young people feel

welcome in church. He said Snack and Chat is becoming “old-hat." And, although programs are helpful,

he said, “they’re not necessarily looking for a program; they’re looking for something else, and it might

be you.”

Financials The church portion for pastors’ health insurance increases $26.41 per month next year, to

$1,082.74, a 2.5 percent increase. The pastors’ portion is determined by whether they carry single or

family insurance and the type of plan they carry. The conference has a self-insured health plan that is

administered by Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

Sheila Ahler, chair of the Conference Council on Finance Administration, said that, although

local churches paid 91.4 percent of apportionments in 2015, the conference used reserve funds to pay 100

percent and was one of only 26 worldwide conferences to do so.

Conference members approved the council’s request of a little over $21.9 million for the 2018

budget, about a half-million-dollar increase, or a little more than 2 percent, from the 2017 budget of

$21.4 million. Superintendents’ pay increases $1,470 a year, or about 1.4 percent, from $106,610 to

$108,080 in 2017.

The Commission on Equitable Compensation requested a 2.5 percent increase, to $42,617, in the

minimum pay for full-time pastors for 2017. Concern was expressed that pastors drawing the minimum

salary could actually realize a decrease in take-home pay at that amount, so an amendment to increase

minimum salary to $43,810, 2.8 percent, was overwhelmingly approved. The conference supplements the

salary for churches that are unable to pay their pastors’minimum compensation.

Bishop Gregory Palmer The Rev. Gregory V. Palmer, bishop of the Ohio West Episcopal Area, spoke during two evening

services.

The first night he spoke about how the writings of Paul and his letters to New Testament

churches are relevant to the struggles within the church today. He said these texts speak about how the

people of God are to live together despite controversy and disagreements.

He based his message in the text, “What do you have that you have not received?” (1 Corinthians

4:7) and reminded members that “There is no such thing as a ‘self-made person.’ Even the breath we

breathe is God’s.”

He said the wreckage of history demonstrates that humans cannot fix this world. Instead, he said,

they take the gifts of God and mold them into items for war and conflict. He pointed out that Paul was

writing to “church people” who were arguing about “apostleship” and their giftedness. They were

seeking recognition and authority instead of serving selflessly. They had forgotten that all they had was a

gift from God. He asked if this describes churches today, expecting to be rewarded for every action,

expecting credit for all actions and offerings, or a certificate for every little accomplishment?

“Don’t get too enamored with your goodness,” he warned attendees. “The playing field is level at

the foot of the cross. The goody-two-shoes have got to stand with the reprobate.” Whether clergy or laity,

a big church or small, he said, God has already given everything needed to take the next step in

obedience and faith. He said churches need fewer certificates and more missionaries; fewer committee

members and more apostles.

“If we are going to be generous people ... we must begin to see everything as a gift,” he said.

“We don’t have a money deficit, we’re got a gratitude deficit. What do we have that we have not

received?”

The next night he used Luke 24:28-32 to reiterate that each person needs to live in the fact that

everyone they meet is a beloved child of God. He suggested that everyone we meet for the first time

should leave with the impression that they were beloved and treasured.

Christians are to be the church, he said, not spend time trying to save the church. The church

belongs to God, and only God can change the church, he said.

Rev. Leonard Fairley on generosity The Leonard Fairley, District Superintendent of the Capital District, preached on generosity

during the opening worship All Saints Celebration. His sermon, building on this year’s focus of “Give,”

was titled “Generous Saints.” It focused on the generous examples of giving and service offered by the

clergy and spouses of clergy who have passed. He said he learned generosity from his grandmother and his mother. As a child, he said, he would

watch his grandmother’s hands as she made “grandma biscuits.”

“This lady would take what she had prepared for her family, and she would invite anybody

within earshot, anybody within the neighborhood, anybody who just happened to be at our house. She

would invite them to the table,” and used it to bless the community, he said.

He reminded worshipers how they took what little they had that was blessed, and it was used as a

blessing to others. And he emphasized the generosity left behind by those who have gone on to join “the

great cloud of witnesses in heaven.”

His sermon was based on the scriptures from John 6:1-13, where Jesus fed the multitude with

five loaves of bread and two fish.

“Surely, if God could take the meager lunch of a small boy and feed 5,000 people, certainly God

can take what we release from our hands, no matter how small and no matter how insignificant, and bless

the world,” he said.

He said the desire to give, and give generously, is all about being a blessing to others. “What we

put in Jesus’ hands never returns void. ... If there is anything that characterizes a saint, it is this: Saints

are extravagant givers who have this habit of sharing from a place of God’s abundance. There can be no

blessing with closed hands.”

the nutshell - chestnutst.org · given by: sybil davis in memory of peggy morgan designated general...

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