The Evangelical Messenger

January, 2021

Sunday Morning Worship Sharon United Methodist Church In – Person We are taking a break from in-person worship due to the current Covid-19 19980 Pleasant Lake Road situation. Please read the weekly email with Pastor Pete’s Ponderings for PO Box 543 updates on resuming in-person worship. For now, we hope you will Manchester, MI 48158 continue to worship with us in one of the following ways. 734-428-0996 FaceBook Search for the Sharon Church, Manchester, MI page to watch the live or Rev. Peter Harris –Pastor pre-recorded service at 10:30 am. [email protected] If you miss it, you can watch the recorded service later. cell phone: 734-323-6201

YouTube Sharon Stockard – Secretary A recording of the service will be posted to YouTube under Sharon UMC. [email protected] 734-428-0996 Website Video sermons from the past several Sundays can be Nancy Flint – Newsletter Editor found on the website. www.sharonumchurch.org [email protected] 734-417-3460

WEBSITE www.sharonumchurch.org

FACEBOOK Sharon Church, Manchester, MI

Come. Partner with God. Follow . Serve the Community Pastor’s Message Together.

Getting a grand-child to let go of a favorite dress, shirt or jacket that has been out-grown is nearly impossible. A special toy, blanket or stuffed animal, anyone understands a reluctance to let go of those cherished items – I still have stuffed animals from my childhood, don’t you?

But an article of clothing that is obviously too small to be worn anymore begs the question why anyone would hang onto such an item.

Clothes can become too small for changing bodies! And it seems the same is true for our souls and walk of faith. Old attitudes, behaviors and even understandings of who God is and how much God loves us can become out-dated. What we once believed as a child concerning God doesn’t seem big enough to cope with become out-dated. What we once believed as a child concerning God doesn’t seem big enough to cope with all the complexities of our life today.

St. Paul wrote: “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” (1 Corinthians 13:11)

Letting go of an old, comfortable, albeit childish way can be difficult. Old ways of believing and relating to God and others are known ways; ways that we have practiced so much they become ingrained in us to the extent we can’t imagine acting, thinking or believing any other way.

Change is hard in any area of our lives whether it be how we relate to others, how we view our relationship with God, or how much our waistline has changed. If we’re going to change it will require us to say good-bye to some “old” ways, and for many, this feels like abandonment of a cherished part of our lives.

God asks us to change. It’s true. Again and again, God invites us to risk letting go of the old ways of being and embrace the new life offered to us in Jesus Christ. If we are to follow the way of Jesus, there is only one thing we have to change: everything. And the Good News is that we can with the help of the Holy Spirit.

More than 250 times in the Bible we hear how God either is doing something new or asking someone to do something new. Here is one such passage that pertains to our faith – Ephesians 4:21-24, (The Message)

“(21) You leaned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. (22) Since then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything – and I do mean everything – connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! (23) And then take on an entirely new way of life – a God-fashioned life, (24) a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately produces his character in you.”

There has been so much change since March, 2020. And, no doubt, more changes are coming in 2021. Some will be welcomed; some resisted; and some, even ignored for as long as we are able. Through all the changes, God is present offering strength, hope, peace, and His loving presence.

Something new that will be offered in February-March of 2021 is an opportunity to join a small group and read through the New Testament. Look for details in this newsletter.

May 2021 be filled with all the newness of Jesus Christ in these changing times!

Pastor Pete Harris

Thank you to everyone for

making Christmas special for those in our community by filling

Christmas stockings and “adopting a family” through the A special thank you to Pastor Pete, Richard Manchester Family Services program. Schaffer and Michelle McCalla! They have Also, thank you for your contributions for the Christmas gift for given many hours of their time over the past Pastor Pete and Jan. We are thankful for such a giving months and especially the Christmas season

congregation. to bring us the on-line worship services. You

Marlene Uphaus are all very much appreciated!

Why Did the Magi Bring Gold, and ? Medicinal uses of frankincense may help explain the gifts of the magi

Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

Were the gifts of the magi meant to save Jesus from the pain of arthritis? It’s possible, according to researchers at Cardiff University in Wales who have been studying the medical uses of frankincense. Since the early days of Christianity, Biblical scholars and theologians have offered varying interpretations of the meaning and significance of the gold, frankincense and myrrh that the magi presented to Jesus, according to the (2:11). These valuable items were standard gifts to honor a king or deity in the ancient world: gold as a precious metal, frankincense as perfume or incense, and myrrh as anointing oil. In fact, these same three items were apparently among the gifts, recorded in ancient inscriptions, that King Seleucus II Callinicus offered to the god Apollo at the temple in Miletus in 243 B.C.E. The Book of Isaiah, when describing Jerusalem’s glorious restoration, tells of nations and kings who will come and “bring gold and frankincense and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord” (Isaiah 60:6). Although Matthew’s gospel does not include the names or number of the magi, many believe that the number of the gifts is what led to the tradition of the Three Wise Men.

In addition to the honor and status implied by the value of the gifts of the magi, scholars think that these three were chosen for their special spiritual symbolism about Jesus himself—gold representing his kingship, frankincense a symbol of his priestly role, and myrrh a prefiguring of his death and embalming—an interpretation made popular in the well-known “.”

Still others have suggested that the gifts of the magi were a bit more practical—even medicinal in nature. Researchers at Cardiff University have demonstrated that frankincense has an active ingredient that can help relieve arthritis by inhibiting the inflammation that breaks down cartilage tissue and causes arthritis pain. The new study validates traditional uses of frankincense as an herbal remedy to treat arthritis in communities of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, where the trees that produce this aromatic resin grow. Did the magi “from the East” know of frankincense’s healing properties when they presented it to young Jesus?

January 6 is the feast day of . An article from Wikipedia tells us of this day:

“Epiphany (/ɪˈpɪfəni/ i-PIF-ə-nee) is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation (theophany) of God incarnate as Jesus Christ.

“In Western Christianity, the feast commemorates principally (but not solely) the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child, and thus Jesus' physical manifestation to the Gentiles. It is sometimes called Three Kings' Day, and in some traditions celebrated as . Moreover, the feast of the Epiphany, in some denominations, also initiates the liturgical season of Epiphanytide. “Eastern Christians, on the other hand, commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, seen as his manifestation to the world as the Son of God. The spot marked by Qasr el Yahud in the West Bank, and Al- Maghtas in Jordan on the east bank, is considered to be the original site of the baptism of Jesus and the ministry of John the Baptist.”

Chalking Your Door

“Either on (5 January), the twelfth day of and eve of the feast of the Epiphany, or on Epiphany Day (6 January) itself, many Christians (including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians and Roman Catholics, among others) chalk their doors with a pattern such as 20 ✝ C ✝ M ✝ B ✝ 20, with the numbers referring "to the calendar year (20 and 20, for instance, for this year, 2020); the crosses stand for Christ; and the letters have a two-fold significance: C, M and B are the initials for the traditional names of the Magi (, and Balthasar), but they are also an abbreviation of the Latin blessing mansionem benedicat, which means, May Christ bless this house."

20 + C + M + B + 21

Worship Plans for 2021 How do we “know” God? The face of God comes into clearest focus in the life and person of Jesus Christ.

The focus for worship in January through to the Sunday before Ash Wednesday (February 17), will be on the names or titles found in the Scriptures for Jesus. By looking at these titles we discover who Jesus is and why he came into this world. There are many such titles; listed below are a few I will be concentrating on at the beginning of 2021.

January 10 “Light of the World” “Bright Morning Star” January 17 “Word” January 24 “Lion of the Tribe of Judah” January 31 “Physician” February 7 “Bread of Life” February 14 “Man of Sorrows” “Servant” “Redeemer” February 17 Ash Wednesday

January 1 Jennifer Hall 15 Carl Curtis 3 Leah Sweet 16 Marilyn Schulze Congratulations to 5 Kaden McDonald 16 Ron Mahan Gordon and Michelle 12 Donna Clark 18 Kate Huffman 14 Angie Flint 28 Ron Milkey McCalla th on their 25 wedding If we missed your birthday, please let us know so we can anniversary recognize you next year. January 6 Coming in February, 2021

Immerse is an intentionally simple, fresh way of experiencing the Bible—together.

It all starts with Immerse: The Reading Bible. This innovative new format presents the Scriptures in a more natural way, without the modern additives of chapters, verses, section headings, or notes.

Each book is presented in a way that honors the natural literary form the authors chose to use. It invites readers to experience the Bible in a natural and familiar way: letters look like letters, poetry looks like poetry—the way they were given to us originally.

The hope is that many of you will form “reading groups” (think ‘Book Club’ style group), with friends, neighbors and family members and agree to read “Messiah” over the course of 8 weeks.

Once a week, groups of 8-10 people will gather and simply talk about what they’ve read in honest, unmediated conversations. We’ve included conversation starters like, “What stood out to you this week?” or “Was there anything confusing or troubling?”

A signup email will be shared within the next week.

Who will you be inviting to join your group?

Address for Paul Whelan December Giving Please continue to pray for Paul imprisoned in Russia. Letters and cards are inspiration Offerings for December totaled $26,429 (unaudited.) for Paul and may be sent to: Thank you for continuing to financially support Sharon Church. 431161, Russia Offerings may be mailed to the church office or given on-line at Mordovia Republic Zubovo-Polyanskiy Rayon www.sharonumchurch.org. On the home page, you will see a Posyolok Ozernyi, St Lesnaya 3 box to click on that will take you directly to the site where you FKU IK-17 can make your donation. Whelan, Paul

Thank you from Linda’s Diner The Sharin’ Women received a gracious thank you from Linda for their Christmas gift to her and her employees. Linda has been very generous over the years in helping to provide supplies for our church dinners, and so many of us enjoy gathering for breakfast/lunch at the Diner. We gave Linda $300 from the Sharin Women’ treasury, plus another $300 from individual donations to Linda and mugs with goodies and a $25 gift card to each of her employees. Condolences to the Strock and Spike Families

Obituary – Steve Strock

THE VILLAGES, FL – Stephen Frank Strock, age 73, of The Villages, FL, formerly of Manchester, passed away on December 25, 2020, at the UF Health The Villages Hospital. He was born on October 9, 1947, in Angola, IN, the son of Paul and Helen Strock. Steve was graduate of Angola High School with the class of 1965 and received his bachelor’s degree in 1970 from Hillsdale College. On September 22, 1973 in Farmington, MI he married Karen E. Spike and she survives. Steve was a self-employed farmer for many years. After selling his farm, Steve was employed by G E Wacker as a fuel oil delivery driver until his retirement and then became employed by Hickory Sticks Golf Course doing their ground maintenance. Steve was a member of the Masons, enjoyed bowling, golfing, and was very active with his Villages Alumni Group from Michigan.

In addition to his wife, Karen, Steve is survived by his two children, Michelle (Chip) Bunn of Manchester and Jeremy (Tammy) Strock of South Lyon; and three grandsons, Josh, Jacob, and Jared Bunn. He was preceded in death by his parents and his uncle, Carl Strock.

Per Steve’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a private memorial service will be held at a later date. You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Tecumseh.

Let’s “Talk Thursday”

Are you feeling tired, overwhelmed, or something else that you just can’t quite name? Over the last 10 months of covid- 19, the election, and everything else life has thrown at us in our hyper linked world, its pretty common to be feeling…well overpowered by the events of this year.

Are you longing for a safe place to just sit down and talk about it? How about some time to meet with a few others to pray, talk, or even just “unload” some of what has burdened you recently?

" let's talk Thursday " is designed to give a safe space to hear one another and listen to each other's frustrations, fears, needs and hopes. This is not a therapy group or counseling, just a safe place to talk with your peers where things will remain confidential. It is open to anyone over 18.

If so, please join Lay Leader Michelle McCalla, Thursdays at 7:00pm on Zoom. You must use the link to sign up to get the Zoom invite. (If you are interested and this day and or time does not work for you please let Michelle know what works best for your schedule.) You can send an email to [email protected]. For those not electronically connected, please call the SUM Church office (734-428-0996) on Thursday or Friday mornings and indicate the best time and way for Michelle to contact you.

Link to sign up: https://sharonumchurch.breezechms.com/form/28a108

This is an opportunity where we can listen to one another and lay our burdens down at Jesus feet. It is a time to ask each other four basic questions:  “What do you believe God is doing in and through your life in these days?”

 “How are you taking care of your relationship with family?

 “Where is the Spirit speaking to you in the Scriptures?”

 “Are you eating healthy food? Getting enough rest? Exercising?

These are the basic ground rules. After everyone has had an opportunity to respond, we will conclude with a time of prayer. As you consider this invitation, ponder and pray these Scriptures:

First Exodus 17:12-14 Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

And 2nd Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

D e c e m b e r H i g h l i g h t s

Food Box Give-Away Women’s Advent Program Drive-In December 5th December 6 Christmas Eve Service

We blessed approximately, 240 A virtual gathering of sixteen The service was presented by video cars. ladies was hosted by Susan Huehl on FaceBook and broadcast to the church parking lot via an FM There were 37 volunteers, 16 from and Michelle McCalla. channel. the community and 21 church The program included a round- members. table conversation, listening to Approximately 20 cars with about 35 attendees sat in their cars to This gave us the opportunity to be music, engagement by answering questions, and reflection and listen, sing, and then join in the church and do church outside of candle lighting and singing of Sunday morning pondering the future. The event was enlightening and hopeful. “Silent Night.” There were 3 teenagers, and 2

elementary children volunteers. Thank you to Susan, Michelle, The luminaries were beautiful as Two additional teenagers went out and all others who helped to always. Thank you to Jerry and into the community and blessed make this program possible. Susan Huehl for their efforts to their neighbors by delivering boxes allow us to enjoy their beauty! and in return were blessed by doing so. Ringing of the Church Bell

There were 12 that came out to “fly the rope” Christmas day to announce the good news of the birth of our Savior!

From as young as three in her Christmas pjs, to as old as eighty, and from as far away as a thirteen- hour drive, (ok, so Scott really came to see mom and dad) but what else do you do on Christmas day in a pandemic to celebrate!! We rang the bell for a full hour.