MESSENGER
IN PRAISE OF GOD'S UNCHANGING LOVE A note from our senior pastor, Dr. Jonathan Beck
I N S I D E : Feature, 3 Missions, 4 Women, 5 Children, 6 Discipleship, 7 Youth, 8 December Preview, 9 All Saints, 10 Calendar, 11 PASTORS In Praise of God's Dr. Jonathan Beck [email protected] Unchanging Love Rev. AnnaKate Rawles by Dr. Jonathan Beck [email protected] The Christian’s thankful disposition does not come from Rev. Janet Davis wishful thinking or a Pollyanna innocence, but from a Minister Spiritual Formation deep trust in God’s goodness. So many of the Psalms [email protected] speak to this grounding of hope and gratitude. “The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.”(Psalm 145:13) And read slowly STAFF this beautiful passage: “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness Morgan Clark and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and Youth Minister righteousness looks down from heaven. The LORD will indeed give what is Jessika Horner good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and Children & Family Minister prepares the way for his steps.”(Psalm 85:10-13) The most basic affirmation Nora Huete of life is the great YES we shout to God for his faithfulness and love. Business Manager However, in the struggles of life we can sometimes lose sight of God’s grace Mishell Dykes at work in our lives. Martin Rinkart is a great example of someone who was Membership, Worship able to keep his eyes on God and express his gratitude in the midst of dark Slides, & Bulletin times. Rinkart was a German pastor who served in the walled town of Darlene Brown Eilenburg during the horrors of the Thirty Years' War of 1618-1648. Eilenburg Communications, became an overcrowded refuge for the surrounding area. The fugitives Messenger, Web, Facebook suffered from epidemics and famine. At the beginning of 1637, the year of Frank Ruholl the Great Pestilence, there were four ministers in Eilenburg. But one Safe Sanctuary Staff abandoned his post for healthier areas and could not be persuaded to MaryBeth Bonin return. Pastor Rinkart officiated at the funerals of the other two. As the only pastor left, he often conducted services for as many as 40 to 50 persons a KDO Director day—some 4,480 people in all. In May of that year, his own wife died. By the Kim Smuck end of the year, the refugees had to be buried in trenches without services. KDO Associate Director In the midst of that, Rinkart wrote this verse for his children to recite: ‘Now thank we all our God, With hearts and hands and voices; Who wondrous things hath done, In whom this world rejoices. MUSIC STAFF Who, from our mother's arms, Hath led us on our way, Jan Schluter With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today.’ Music Director Julianne Korn Some studies have shown how our early family experiences determines our outlook for the rest of our lives. A loving family teaches us openness to life 9:30 am Music Leader and others, and fosters a disposition of mutual care and concern. A faithful Phil Sparks family teaches trust and adventure because you cannot fail when Organist surrounded by those whom you can always count on. No matter your earthly family background, your heavenly Father surrounds you with faithfulness and love from the day you enter the family of God. We can always give God thanks for his love and faithfulness at all times. ‘I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your CONTACTING THE CHURCH faithfulness from the great assembly. Ps. 40:10 Phone: (504) 834-9910 Even better, we can share God’s faithfulness and love with those who do not www.munhollandumc.org know Him yet. Perhaps they will say, ‘Yes!’ to God’s invitation to became part of His family. SPECIAL ARTICLE HOME Sweet HOME
By: Nancy Hudson Miller, Lay Leader
When I was a child and teenager growing up in a very small town in Louisiana, our Methodist ministers and their families always lived in a parsonage right next door to the church. We kids played and prayed with the preacher’s kids, always realizing that, sooner or later (usually sooner in little towns), those kids, their mother and their preacher dad would move on to another Methodist church and yet another parsonage throughout their father’s ministry. It wasn’t until I was quite a bit older that I understood that the church Conference provided those houses for the families and that they were maintained by the Conference. In the late 1980’s the Conference began to allow the churches to own those parsonages. I always wondered where those ministers went to live when they retired. Now I know…the options are very limited! In the larger churches, the movement to encourage ministers to own their own homes began to take hold, and today most ministers in larger churches are paid a housing allowance in their compensation package to assist in buying homes and building equity in a house. When those ministers move along to another church, this equity will enable them to buy another house while they are still active in the ministry or to purchase a retirement home when that time comes. But what about all those ministers not given the opportunity through the years to purchase a home during ministry and their retirement? They’ve lived in parsonages during all of their ministry and many of them have no viable place to go upon retirement. There’s no parsonage if you’re no longer a preacher! While they can use a certain amount of their accrued pension for such a purchase, it greatly reduces their monthly pension. In realization of this issue and in concern and compassion for such ministers and their wives (in many cases their widows), the Retired Minister Homes Board, Inc., was formed. The Board is now an independent foundation and seeks to purchase homes which are then leased to retired ministers for a nominal amount. The Foundation pays for the upkeep and insurance on these homes. There are currently 31 such homes across the state of Louisiana. The Board is hoping to acquire more homes, as there are many, many ministers slated to retire in the next 10 years. The Retired Ministers Homes Board, Inc. is asking each congregation to designate a Sunday offering to be designated to the housing needs of retired ministers. Even ‘pocket change’ is helpful, I have been told. The monies will be used for purchase and upkeep of houses. And for those philanthropists ever eager to get a tax deduction, the gifting of a house is most appreciated! We are designating Sunday, November 20, 2016, as the special day to help with this very important ministry. Thanks for all you do. Go Do By Rev. AnnaKate Rawles
Colossians 3:17 says “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
it's that time again!
Contact Debbie Holman for more information at [email protected]. Remember the movie “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood,”? It was a sad, funny tale about a fictional group of women who have been friends for decades, sharing life’s “ups and downs” from grade school through middle age and beyond? I was reminded of this story recently when I attended the funeral of a childhood friend’s husband. My friend was surrounded by her own circle of “Ya-Yas”, friends whose lives have formed an interwoven strand of shared tragedies and triumphs which bind them together and strengthen them when life’s difficulties occur. Although people who are born and by Pat Mitchell raised in New Orleans often choose to stay to remain connected to their deep roots; there are those whose paths have taken them away from familiar places and faces. If you find yourself feeling isolated and cut off, you can connect with other women in the church in meaningful ways that grow deep friendships lasting a lifetime.
The simple definition of friendship is a relationship between people who care about each other. But as we all know, friendship has many aspects, with shared interests and values topping the list. So, how do we go about building these relationships? First of all, if you are a follower of Jesus, you have been adopted into the family of God. In Mark 3:5, Jesus said, “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister. . .” What better place to find potential lasting friendships than in the body of Christ where women are devoted to doing the will of God in the world? More than blood ties, proximity and familiarity, our faith and shared desire to be obedient draw us into sisterhood in Christ.
At Munholland there are many different ways to connect with other women. Do you enjoy Bible study and discussion? There are several small groups based on studying and applying scripture. Do you enjoy visiting and encouraging others? The Care Team needs you! Are you fulfilled by cooking and sharing meals with those in need? We have teams who prepare, deliver and serve meals at Mt. Zion and St. Mark’s. Do you enjoy knitting and crocheting? The women of The Shawl Ministry get together once a month to share their faith and love by creating comforting shawls and chemo caps for those undergoing medical treatments. Do you want to be part of a worldwide women’s organization dedicated to improving lives of women and children in New Orleans and around the world? Munholland’s United Methodist Women wants you!
But “getting connected” is only the first step. Having “shared history” is another important element to cementing friendships. Being able to laugh and cry together while celebrating each other’s sorrows and successes over time is an essential ingredient to true friendship. Take the first step, get involved, be the friend you want to have. Jesus calls us to live outside ourselves. The greatest irony is that the more we give of ourselves, the more we gain, “a good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over. . .” What are you waiting for? november upcoming events don't miss out! 1 General District Meeting 12 Meeting Looking for a Christmas gift Tuesday 10 am Hartzell -Mt Zion UMC, for a teacher or co-worker? Fellowship Hall Slidell; Contact to carpool We still have Day Circle 19 Shawl 21 Hope Circle homemade soup & jelly 15 Meeting Ministry Meeting Tuesday 10 am Saturday 10 am Monday 7 pm available for $4 Fellowship Hall Fellowship Hall Fellowship Hall in the Fellowship Hall UPCOMING EVENTS
NOV Operation by Jessika Horner Christmas Thanksgiving is a special time! God gives us so many things to be 1- Child thankful for each day, yet sometimes we can only think of a few Collection things at a time or thank God repeatedly for the same things 20 without pausing to notice other blessings. Thanksgiving is a time when I purposefully attempt to seek and thank God for all the NOVMilestone blessings in our family’s life. It is the perfect time to learn to thank God for the obvious things, the not-so-obvious things, and for Presentation challenges in our life journey… yes even thank God for the 20 1st & 2nd graders challenges. “Even in simple things we should be thankful. Don’t Sanctuary 11:00 AM reserve your praise to God for only the big things in life. Recognize that God is the giver of all good gifts in our life, great or small” (James 1:17). DEC Family Christmas During Thanksgiving time, I like to lead my sons to reflect on 3 Day thankfulness, for blessings and setbacks. In scripture we find many stories of Biblical heroes being thankful during struggles. Some of 12-2:00 PM my favorite Thanksgiving stories are Daniel and the Lions (Daniel 6), David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17), Joseph interpreting dreams (Genesis 41), and Paul incarcerated (Philippians 1). During terrible circumstances, David chose to believe, Daniel to pray, Joseph to trust, Paul to follow; their praise and thankfulness to God never wavered. Those are the faith journeys that I want to follow and lead my family to follow. It is important to learn to recognize that through all of life’s circumstances, God is always good, always in control, and always worthy of our praise. After we have experienced difficult situations we look back and remember specifically, what we can be thankful for. “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praises of your name, O Most High.” (Psalm 9: 1-2)
It is easy to be thankful for obvious things like family, health, and friends as well as the not-so-obvious like butterflies, bees and worms that help plants grow and produce food. We learn to be thankful for things like bad grades that will teach us to study harder, or for a fall in the playground that inspired friends to show us love and compassion. It is a blessing to remain thankful and always praise Him, no matter the circumstances! CONTACT: Jessika Horner Children's & Family Minister YoYo Sundays are back! [email protected] Starting Nov. 27th at 9:30 am during Sunday School grat·i·tude NOUN
By Rev. Janet Davis As we move toward Thanksgiving, it is easy to get Fabrega quotes research which indicated that caught up in the busy-ness of the season. Perhaps “daily gratitude exercises resulted in higher reported you notice feelings of stress and anxiety over holiday levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, plans and family expectations rather than gratitude. optimism, and energy. In addition, those in the And yet every great spiritual teacher has emphasized gratitude group experienced less depression and the importance – indeed the necessity – of cultivating stress, were more likely to help others, exercised gratitude if we are to experience the presence of more regularly, and made greater progress toward God. achieving personal goals. Dr. Robert Emmons – Writer Marelisa Fabrega penned an article considered by many to be the world’s leading (www.thechangeblog.com/gratitude) entitled “How authority on gratitude – is author of the book, Gratitude Can Change Your Life.” Her message is “Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can consistent with that of many authors in the secular Make You Happier”. He notes that those who practice and spiritual literature. “Gratitude means gratitude tend to be more creative, bounce back thankfulness, counting your blessings, noticing simple more quickly from adversity, have a stronger immune pleasures, and acknowledging everything that you system, and have stronger social relaetionships than receive. It means learning to live your life as if those who don’t practice gratitude. He further points everything were a miracle, and being aware on a out that ‘To say we feel grateful is not to say that continuous basis of how much you’ve been given. everything in our lives is necessarily great. It just Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks means we are aware of our blessings.’ Once you to the abundance that is already present... Giving become oriented toward looking for things to be thanks makes people happier and more resilient, it grateful for, you will find that you begin to appreciate strengthens relationships, it improves health, and it simple pleasures and things that you previously took reduces stress.” for granted.“ “If the only prayer you say in your life is ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.” – Meister Eckhart
Get going! Write a gratitude letter to a person who has been a positive Suggestions for cultivating gratitude influence in your life but whom you have not properly thanked.
Keep a gratitude journal Notice and appreciate each day’s gifts.
Identify a favorite Bible passage and write it on a sticky note or index card, keeping it where you can Set aside a time each day to concentrate see it frequently and memorize it (e.g. Psalm on 3-10 things for which you are grateful. 30:11-12, 2 Corinthians 9:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:18) WE NEED YOUR HELP! For too many families, Thanksgiving dinner is a strain on the budget. OPEN Each year, the youth collect money from the congregation to fill Thanksgiving baskets with non- perishable food items and purchase a gift card for a turkey to give to TABLES families of ministry partners. Please consider donating to support this ministry with a check. Growing up, and particularly when Over the years, it’s become my Simply write "Thanksgiving Baskets" I was in college, my mom would favorite holiday, one focused on in the memo. always ask for a head count from gratitude and inclusivity with little my siblings and I for holiday meals. of the pressure or expectation of UPCOMING She would remind all of us that other holidays. Gathering around a everyone was welcome and to table and eating together is basic, EVENTS keep an eye out for those that we but so profound. It draws us close, knew were from out of town and invites everyone in and makes ALL YOUTH may not have a place to go (and we room for whomever shows up. THANKSGIVING knew we’d hear about it if we didn’t Thanksgiving can be, when we get BASKET SHOPPING ensure that everyone we’d ever it right, a beautiful picture of the V OFF CAMPUS met had an invitation!). Each of my church: a place where all are not O three siblings and I would often 5-8 PM just invited, but welcomed with N 6 have an extra person or four, open arms. It also seems to be a particularly during Thanksgiving, as pretty good description of the God the brevity of it made it more we worship, the One to whom we THANKSGIVING challenging for students to get give thanks on Thanksgiving. We BASKET BLESSING home. So for me, Thanksgiving has worship a God who isn't into walls, V always represented an open table, SANCTUARY boundaries and formalities nearly O often filled with as many new faces so much as open tables. 1N 311 AM as familiar ones, with chairs squeezed in and people all over my My prayer is that we would look for grandmother’s house. It was more each opportunity this season to be FAMILY boisterous and chaotic than the church, welcoming each person THANKSGIVING formal, with a minimum of one we encounter a seat at the table. broken dish and a couple knocked Join me in finding opportunities to POTLUCK over drinks. invite others into your lives, listening to their story and V FELLOWSHIP choosing to love them. Perhaps it's O
N HALL 5-7 PM a brief encounter on the sidewalk 20 or a longer interaction at work; either way, savor the opportunity to create an ever-widening table, CONTACT: truly see people, pray for and with Morgan Clark them, and live as Jesus showed us, Youth Minister connected with each other. [email protected] Each year, Munholland hosts an Angel Tree party that is an opportunity for each family to show the love of Jesus to a child simply by purchasing a Christmas gift. We will have Angel Tree Tags available beginning November 13th. To participate in this mission of the Church, please choose a tag from the tree near the Welcome Center Angel and provide the tag number and your information on the Sign-up sheet near the tree. There are several suggestions on the tags, but it is not necessary to purchase all the items listed. Let your heart lead you in choosing your tag and gift. Tree The names for the tree were provided by the following: Angel Tree Ministries provides us with names of children who have an incarcerated parent. These children are our guests at the Angel Tree Party every year. Coach Parker at North Rampart Community Center conducts an After School Mission Program at the center. Raintree Children and Family Services provides Foster Care and After School TAGS AVAILABLE NOV 13th services. GIFTS DUE BACK DEC 3rd Ella Dolhonde is the elementary school on the corner of Metairie Road and Severn.
The following are opportunities to be involved. On December 6th, we will gather in Fellowship Hall at 9:00 am to sort gifts and wrap gifts. On December 11th, feel free to join in the fun at the Angel Tree Party. Sign-up sheets are available near the trees.
Please wrap the gift and attach the tag to the wrapped gift. Gifts should be returned to the church by December 3, 2016. This is earlier than usual, so make sure to mark your calendar. Help us to show the love of Jesus Christ to a child and their family through our Angel Tree.
If you have any questions, contact Anne Cutrer at 237-2887 or [email protected]
Christmas Brunch
We are continuing to experience a cash flow crunch. After late October payroll and operating expenses, our unrestricted cash in the bank and from all available sources has dwindled to less than $1,600. Munholland requests your prayers and your support during this challenging time. On November 1st, we recognize and celebrate All Saints' Day and "all the saints who from their labors rest." All Saints' Day is Reginald Sanders Charlotte Felt a time to remember Christians of every time Karen Adams Al Ernst and place, honoring those who lived Jane Livaudais Paula Lucas faithfully and shared their faith with us. This Paul Muehlemann Elizabeth Connor year, we remember with gratitude those that Carlton Pool III Lily Hamalainen have been a part of our church family.
You're
There will be no midweek meal, choirs, Bible Studies, etc. Invited on Wednesday, November 23rd Happy Thanksgiving! UPCOMING EVENTS SUNDAY 8:30 AM Traditional Worship Service 9:30 AM Sunday School Classes (Children, Youth, & Adults) NOV THANKSGIVING 9:30 AM New Traditions Worship Service MIDWEEK 11:00 AM Traditional Worship Service/Children's Church DINNER 4:30 PM Adult Bible Studies 16 5:30 PM Handbell Choir Practice 5:00 PM Middle School Youth (Grades 7th - 8th) 6:00 PM High School Youth Group (Grades 9th - 12th) 6:00 PM AA Meetings 6:00 PM *Contemplative Service (1st & 3rd Sunday) MONDAY YOUTH FAMILY 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM Kids Day Out Program (M, W, R, F) NOV 12:00 AM Adult Study POTLUCK DINNER TUESDAY 20 10:00 AM United Methodist Women 11:00 AM Prayer and Healing Service 3:15 PM *Mt. Zion Good Samaritan Meal (3rd Tuesday) WEDNESDAY 9:30 AM Adult Bible Study 5:30 PM Midweek Meal 6:00 PM *Prayer & Healing with Communion (1st Wednesday) DEC CHRISTMAS 6:00 PM Children's Choir Practice FAMILY 6:15 PM Communion DAY 6:30 PM Cursillo 3 6:30 PM Adult Bible Studies 6:45 PM Adult Choir Practice THURSDAY 9:30 AM Adult Bible Study 10:00 AM Adult Bible Study HANGING 7:00 PM *United Methodist Men (2nd Thursday) DEC 8:00 PM AA, NA, Al Anon Meetings OF THE FRIDAY 4 GREENS 12:00 PM Friday Friends Bridge Group SATURDAY 10:00 AM *Prayer Shawl Ministry (3rd Saturday) 11:00 AM Adult Study
Visit the website for information on our Bible Studies
* Note: Not a weekly event MESSENGER
THINK ABOUT IT
“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.” (II Cor 12:7)
It has always interested me that when the Apostle Paul pleaded with the Lord to remove his thorn, God simply said “My grace is sufficient for you”. (v. 12:9) He didn’t offer Paul a timeline, a plan, or a promise to fix the problem or extract the thorn. Instead, He offered him His amazing grace to journey through the challenge and experience His extravagant presence and power.
Paul didn’t identify the “thorn” he was battling, but we can probably sum it up like this: a “thorn in the flesh” is a point of struggle or suffering we’d like to avoid. But in His sovereignty, God allows it to go on awhile. If our attitude is adjusted, we can humble ourselves under His mighty hand, which produces in us a humility that casts our reliance on His all-sufficient grace.
We may not have all our infinities removed when and how we want them, but we are called to keep up our shield of faith to believe that “all things are possible with God”. And through our pain or weakness, God’s power and purpose can be revealed — His grace IS sufficient. A Bible scholar, wisely said: “The specific purpose of the thorn in the flesh is to puncture the pride!”