http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php en-gb copyright 2012 - First United Methodist Church of Bartlesville casi.morris@fumcbville.org casi.morris@fumcbville.org Thu, 17 May 2012 09:01:01 -0500http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2446 Change brings excitement, challenge, and sometimes sadness. Those of us on your church staff are experiencing these feelings these days. Let me bring you up-to-date: * Desira Mathes, our director of communications, is currently on maternity leave following the birth of her and her husband Clay’s second child, Will. Desira will be back in the choice in mid-June. We’re grateful to Alex Canoy and Randy Thompson who have stepped in to take over many of her duties during this time...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Thu, 17 May 2012 08:44:01 -0500http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2444 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. -Deuteronomy 6:6-7 A Morning Prayer: Another day! Another gift from you, Lord. Help me receive every moment of this day as the gift it truly is. Amen. Tue, 08 May 2012 09:39:01 -0500http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2388 But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’.” -Matthew 4:4 A Mealtime Prayer: Dear Lord, bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies and us to thy service. In Christ's name we pray, Amen. Thu, 03 May 2012 17:14:01 -0500http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2362 Today the church received a check for $14,000 from the estate of Dotty Goard, a longtime member of our congregation. In accordance with Dotty’s wishes, her gift will be used for the "new building fund". Even in the last years of her life, Dotty was looking ahead toward the needs of future generations. All this was made possible simply by her making a decision, notifying her attorney, and including us in her estate plans. I hope that every one of us who have taken vows of church me...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Thu, 03 May 2012 17:03:01 -0500http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2361 He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. -Micah 6:8 A Evening Prayer: Take a moment near the close of the day and write down several things from this day for which you are grateful. Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:56:01 -0500http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2313 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. -Jeremiah 29:11 A Morning Prayer: May I take time to notice the beauty of your creation this day, O Lord. Help me remember that you created this world for us and our pleasure. Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:48:01 -0500http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2281 Now what? That question may have been on the minds of the first disciples following the Resurrection of Jesus, as it should be on ours in these days after Easter. In the days following Easter, Jesus appeared to many; he came back to those who had been cowardly in their discipleship and forgave them, reassured them of his belief in them, and appointed them to go out as witnesses of what they had learned, seen, heard, and experienced. He told them to wait – and look for &ndas...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:04:01 -0500http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2278 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. -Proverbs 3:5-6 Grow in Your Faith: Want to find out about the beliefs of the United Methodist Church? Go to: http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1707359/ [1] Links: ------ [1] http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1707359/ Sat, 14 Apr 2012 12:44:01 -0500http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2255 Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you--unless you have come to believe in vain. -1 Corinthians 15:1-2 An Evening Prayer: For this holy day and all your gifts to us, even the ones we didn’t notice or took for granted, help us be grateful. Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:10:01 -0500http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2197 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross. -Psalms 51:10 A Morning Prayer: Lord, amid the plans and schedule I have made for this day, help me be open to your plans and guidanc...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Tue, 27 Mar 2012 09:54:01 -0500http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2136 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. -Psalms 51:10 An Evening Prayer: For what we are about to receive, may the lord make us truly thankful. And may we always be mindful of the needs of others, for Jesus sake, Amen. Wed, 21 Mar 2012 23:40:01 -0500http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2107 “'Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart" (Joel 2:12a) We are halfway through the season of Lent. How are your Lenten disciplines faring? As I considered this question, I thought of those lines from Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” “Yes there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run There’s still time to change the road you’re on.” Lent is a time of “re-”…. Re-turning, re-...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 21 Mar 2012 23:16:01 -0500http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2106 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. -John 3:16 An Evening Prayer: Thank you for the food which I ate this day, for the people I encountered, and for the inspiration of your Holy Spirit to do good and choose well. Forgive me of my shortcomings, and help me follow you more faithfully tomorrow. Amen. Sat, 17 Mar 2012 15:46:01 -0500http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2072 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me. -Exodus 20:2-3 A Morning Prayer: Regardless of the weather or even how I feel physically, help me be joyful and grateful today, knowing that you have accepted me, forgiven me, and saved me. Sat, 17 Mar 2012 15:31:01 -0500http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2071 Wow! What a great turnout at last Wednesday evening’s meal and the first of the series of presentations on “What Every Methodist Should Know”. These teaching presentations will continue for the coming 5 Wednesdays. We begin the feeding line at 5:15, the lessons begin at 6:15. It’s not too late to get on board, even if you missed session 1. Last week we learned about the life and ministry of John and Charles Wesley, and the formative events and times in which Methodi...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:24:01 -0600http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=2006 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. -Mark 8:34-35 A Children’s Mealtime Prayer (usually sung): Oh, the Lord is good to me and so I thank the Lord for giving me the things I need the sun and the rain and ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:04:01 -0600http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1953 I recently attended a seminar on psychotherapy and religion, and one of the presenters made the following statement: “I don’t know who invented the liturgical church year, but whoever it was, they were a genius.” This academic was reflecting upon how the seasons of the church year fit so well with our needs as human beings. They call forth in us something that is innate, something put there by our Creator, somehow reflect and represent who we are, as psychological and spir...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:30:01 -0600http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1952 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." -Mark 1:14-15 A Children’s Bedtime Prayer: Dear God, I thank you for your care You've been right with me everywhere At school, at play, you're by my side My special Friend, my loving Guide And when the sun has said goodbye And little stars shine in the...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:52:01 -0600http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1887 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" -Mark 9:7 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:19:01 -0600http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1857 The church has had a strange and often strained relationship with the political world. In the first three centuries of its existence, the Christian Church was in some times and places persecuted by those in governmental authority, allowed to exist in other areas as long as they didn’t cause any trouble, and in some areas had to operate underground: not because Christians were bad people but they were seen as subversive because they would not worship the Roman emperor as a god. (It shou...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:51:01 -0600http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1850 I’m an early riser because I believe that spending early time in prayer, thought, reflection, reading, and planning makes the rest of the day exponentially more productive. I’ve studied the sciences of time management, planning, list-making, delegation, self-improvement, self-monitoring and self-evaluation for years. But only recently did I add one more ingredient to my early morning routine that thus far is making a big difference. When I get to my “list making&rdq...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:44:01 -0600http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1849 This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. -Joshua 1:8 A Family Mealtime Prayer: Thank you for this food, O Lord and for each other. As we enjoy this meal together, may we enjoy our time with one another, too! Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:45:01 -0600http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1800 but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. -Isaiah 40:31 The 3rd Step Prayer of Alcoholics Anonymous: God, I offer myself to Thee — to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:42:01 -0600http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1737 To the Jewish people, the name of God was considered so holy that there were special rules for who could speak it, and only under certain conditions. The same was true for writing the name. Many of us got a kick out of that scene in “Life of Brian” that made fun of this tradition, but I wonder if ancient Jewish thinking doesn’t have something to teach us here. Of course, our more generic term “God” more aptly describes the Supreme Being, as opposed to belief th...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:58:01 -0600http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1735 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God-- not the result of works, so that no one may boast. -Ephesians 2:8-9 A Morning Prayer: Lord, Today help me remember the power of a smile at the passing stranger, no matter what their age or status in life; but help me be especially willing to share your love with those who seem to need it most. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:06:01 -0600http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1707 I am really enjoying my current Sunday morning teaching assignment with The Cord small group. The class took its name from the verse in Ecclesiastes 4 which states “...a threefold cord (or a cord of three strands) is not easily broken”. This group of 20 and 30-somethings embodies that verse well in their fellowship, welcome, and care for one another. I am teaching on United Methodist history, doctrine, and policy and find myself reminded of how vitally important – even exci...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:24:01 -0600http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1705 …Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” -Mark 1:17 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:14:01 -0600http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1703 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? -1 Corinthians 6:19 A Mealtime Prayer: Give us grateful hearts, O Father, for all thy mercies, and make us mindful of the needs of others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:13:01 -0600http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1702 Now the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." -1 Samuel 3:10 A Morning Prayer: Lord, help me give my first and best attention this day to those things that deserve my first and best attention. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:12:01 -0600http://www.fumcbville.org/blog.php?blogID=1701 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. -Genesis 1:1 A Children’s Mealtime Prayer: Thank you for the food we eat, thank you for the world so sweet, thank you for the birds that sing, thank you God for everything.