The Open Door April 2015 P. O. Box P. 926 - The Open Door is published monthly by the First Congregational Church 989.831.5240 of Stanton Stanton, MI 48888 Beverly Bailey, Editor 305 North305 Camburn Street The Congregational First Church of Stanton A Privileged Participant (Part 1 of 3) By Bob Brundage If anyone takes anything away from reading my story, I pray it is From the desk of Pastor Jamey an increased ability to believe and trust that God is always at work in eve- ry situation. I believe this because of what I read in the Bible, God’s reli- able revelation of himself to the world. I trust it is true because of what I Like the Bereans have been privileged to learn throughout the course of my life. I began following Christ at the age of 16. Not until age 30 did I A number of Sundays back I opened the sermon with a reading of Acts 17 and the ac- started pursuing my college education. My goal was to add a ministry count of the people of Berea, a small city in Macedonia with a populace of faithful Jews. Paul degree to the commercial pilot’s license I’d already earned. I had been thinking about giving my life to some sort of future mission work where I and Silas went there to preach the gospel. As was their custom, they made an appearance at the could combine flying with biblical ministry. I was confident God would local synagogue where they told about Jesus and how he fulfilled Jewish prophecy. They told supply the necessary direction as I moved forward with my plans, so I pressed ahead. By age 33, I had of his teachings, his life and death, and they explained that he was the promised Messiah who completed formal pastoral and mission studies and was eager to start the final stretch of a bachelor de- was foretold. The response of the Berean people is noteworthy because this group of people gree. However, at that same time, I was also experiencing some strange symptoms in my body. Follow- was not a collection of religious simpletons. They didn’t just buy into what Paul was saying. ing a series of tests I was officially diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This news upset the plans that I These were intelligent souls who were thoughtful and critical about the things they were hear- thought were in place, and I began struggling with a great deal of confusion. Nonetheless, I chose to ing. The Bible says in Acts 17 that when Paul and Silas arrived, the Bereans were open- press on and focus on my education. My health may have been fading rapidly, but at least I could dis- minded. They listened to the message with great earnestness, and every day studied the Scrip- tract myself with school. Eighteen months passed, and I had my bachelor’s degree in religious educa- tures to see if what Paul was teaching them was really true. Many of them eventually believed tion. I was 35 then, and I was dying. as did many Greek women of high social standing and many Greek men as well. Due to my deteriorating health, I was forced to abandon my plans for the mission field. Do you ever secretly wonder if your Christian faith is really true? It’s OK if you do. I “Now what?” questions no longer concerned flying or ministry, they were about how my disease was stealing my life. The newest challenge I was facing was simply how to walk. Those next five years were sometimes do. I have come to believe that it’s a legitimate question. In fact, I think it’s an im- a painful roller coaster ride filled with extremely fast-failing health. I dealt with various walking aids at portant question. first, but eventually deteriorated to wheelchairs. The doctors told me my body was rapidly shutting Western culture today prides itself in open-minded thinking. Everywhere is the idea down, and, that, at the pace I was going, I might live to see the year 2000. that the best chaplains are those who appreciate the value of interfaith ideals. Generally speak- This was a very dark time. My life was turning out like nothing I could have expected. I had ing, colleges, hospitals, and even the military have little interest in clergy members who tout many noble plans for my future. I couldn’t understand why God wasn’t fulfilling them. In addition to their own personal denomination as correct and everything else incorrect. This sort of thinking my failing health, my wife of 23 years announced one day that she didn’t marry a wheelchair and left me is considered extremely passé. Modern progressive thinking shows tolerance and respect for for greener pastures. Nothing made sense anymore. When I tried to pray about my situation, it seemed all faiths because after all, it is reasoned, no spiritual belief can ever be proven really true. like God was ignoring me. I didn’t understand what was going on, and I didn’t like it at all! I would yell Faith, they say, is a personal matter, and it’s judgmental to exalt one’s own unprovable ideas at him, “Why aren’t you listening?” My life was being flushed down the toilet as I stood by helplessly over those of another’s. watching it all happen in real time. I was confused, angry, and lost. My theology was completely turned Here at FCC we hold a slightly different view. Yes, it’s important never to insult or upside down. If all the disaster was some sort of “test” in my life, I was definitely earning a big fat F! I felt completely abandoned and absolutely helpless. mock someone for their religion, but that doesn’t mean we must validate it either. IM- PORTANT NOTE: Disagreement is not the same thing as an insult. Similarly, asserting your (To be continued next month) view that someone is mistaken is neither intolerant nor hateful. Many corners of our culture Each month we feature something God is doing in the life of somebody from our congregation. If God is have come to accept the bizarre reasoning that the view “all religions are true” is loving, while moving in your life in a meaningful way and you’d like to celebrate that with the FCC family, please con- “your religion is mistaken” is mean-spirited. tact Pastor Jamey at [email protected] . Continued . Our Church at Work . From the Moderator . From the Board of Trustees . ANNUAL CHURCH Easter is my favorite holiday. Christmas is right up there, but I really Heads-up!!! Since our supply chal- CLEAN-UP BEE enjoy Easter. I enjoy so many aspects of this season—that we’re (usually) lenge last year was so successful, we Following morning worship starting to see Spring, the kids in their new outfits, dinner with family, less are thinking of having another competi- Sunday, April 12, 2015 pressure than other holidays that expect an abundance of gifts, and the tive challenge in May. We’re working on ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ greetings of “He is Risen, He is Risen, indeed.” the details . Just thought you would I am so grateful that Pastor Jamey often reminds us that Easter is the equivalent of the Chris- like to know!!! We’ll be cleaning the church from top to bottom immediately following morning tian Super Bowl—this is the culmination of where all our hopes rest. Before I came to this church, I didn’t really acknowledge the Lenten season. I had heard of it, but didn’t have an worship on April 12. Your help will be application of it in our life. Now, not only do I enjoy our church’s Lenten suppers, but I have appreciated. also gotten really excited about finding Lenten studies for our family each year. The Endowment Committee . Come prepared and dressed (blue jeans This year we are working through a book that gives you a different name for Jesus and a acceptable) to dig in—cleaning supplies Scripture reading showing the context of why and how we can know Jesus in that way. We have written each day’s name on our big picture window as a reminder. These have been so Is planning to make camp and college will be provided. There will be outside reassuring to us as we go through this current hospitalization of Josh’s mom—Comforter, scholarships available again this year. work as well, and you may wish to bring Conqueror, Our Hope. I would encourage all of you, in the way that I have been encouraged Applications will be available in the work gloves if you plan to work outside. lately, to remember that Jesus was not only our Salvation as he hung upon the cross, but church office. that he currently IS so many things to us. Things that are easy to forget when we think of Him Stay as long as you can! as only the sacrifice and forget that Easter celebrates not the death but the resurrection of Jesus—this Firstborn from the Dead. Camping Adventure . He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!!! April’s Operation We’re planning a church camping trip to the Christmas Child item is: Lakeview United Methodist Campground Stephanie Herzog SMALL ITEMS FOR GIRLS from June 26 - 28. Group rates are $27/ night, and there are accommodations for Items may be placed in the tents, campers, fifth wheels, or even tarps. Church Membership . marked box on the table in the A sign-up sheet is available.