First United Methodist Church

Recently, I needed to exchange something at the store. As I waited in line, two customer service representatives were working behind the service desk. It must have been a return rush hour because the lines were long and the line I waited in was moving much slower than the other line. I was close to the front of my line so I stayed in it. The people behind me kept going to the other line. When the other line emptied, the person in front of me obviously needed much more time to resolve their issue. So, I stepped over to the other line. That’s when the rep told me that they would help me in the other line.

Maybe I was tired, maybe I was hungry, maybe I was just plain hangry. Yet, the rep who appeared to be idle did not help me when I thought they should. This went all over me. I stood there indignant. After I returned my items and found the others I needed, I was still annoyed enough that I went back by the desk to look at their name tag so I could make a formal complaint. Was I being petty? Absolutely!

Then, on my way to checkout, I felt like the Holy Spirit whispered to me.

Peace . . . Patience . . . Humility . . .

I thought to myself. Did they really hurt you? Did they really offend you? Is this really worth being upset? Truthfully, no, no, and no. I wasn’t injured, offended, and it certainly wasn’t worth being upset. I don’t know the rep’s full story. In reality, it was only a few minutes until I was helped. I realized I was acting entitled and overblowing the issue.

Reflecting back, I realize this is another pandemic in our society. How often do we experience someone vehemently angry over a perceived offense, a political disagreement, or because they did not get their way? How often are we that person? When it happens, how many of us instinctively fight back? Unfortunately, too often and none of us are immune.

I’m reminded of the encouragement given to the church in Ephesus.

Therefore, as a prisoner for the Lord, I encourage you to live as people worthy of the call you received from God. Conduct yourselves with all humility, gentleness, and patience. Accept each other with love, and make an effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit with the peace that ties you together. (Ephesians 4:1–3 CEB)

When we work to preserve our unity in the Spirit with the peace of Christ in our heart, we gain a new perspective. We are better able to embody humility, gentleness, and patience. Even when we are hurt, even when we are right, even when we have good reason to lash out, we will more closely resemble Jesus when we respond with love rather than loathe.

After all we are, you are, worthy of the call you received from God. Jesus made you worthy when he forgave you and made you righteous, or in right relationship with God. Now, his call to you is follow him and be the light of the world. As we work together, we will make life better and you better at life through Jesus Christ. I know we can do it.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Daniel

Hello families! Fall is here and we are well into our Wednesday Night Live ministry as well as Sunday School. The children have really been enjoying our new curriculum. They are having fun and learning at the same time! A huge thank you to the youth parents who have been leading our students on Wednesdays and Sundays.This month we are looking forward to a few things for our children and youth ministries:

October 17th: 3rd Grade Bible presentation
October 17th is the Children's sabbath. What a great day to do our 3rd grade bible presentation! Studying Scripture is one of the most important ways we learn about God. FUMCMH presents personal Bibles to each third grade student as a statement of their growing faith development and as recognition of their being old enough to study Scripture on their own. We celebrate the tradition of presenting Bibles to our third grade students as a gift from the congregation. It is our prayer that this gift will be a starting point for a deeper relationship with God through Christ, enhanced through the study of God’s word. Bibles will be presented at the worship service you regularly attend.

October 31st: Trick or Trunk
This year, Trick or trunk falls on Halloween. The last time this occurred, we had a huge community turnout so we need lots of trunks! Last year, we did a drive-thru version of trick or trunk but this year we are going to be doing this event the same way we did before the pandemic. If you are unfamiliar with Trick or Trunk, the congregation decorates their trunk with a game for children to play and candy to hand out. Please make sure your candy is individually wrapped. If you need ideas for your trunk, Pintrest is a great resource. Set up will begin at 4:00pm and Trick or Trunk starts at 5:00pm and enad ends at 6:30pm. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

OMP 2022 Registration
Youth Parents, registration for next summer's OMP (Ozark Mission Project) is now open! We will be attending a Jr/Sr High School Camp. This is for students 8th grade through 12th grade. The deposit is $100. If your student would like to attend camp but needs a scholarship, there are some available. Camp will be June 26th -July1st. There are limited spots available so get your student registered!

Feel free to contact me if you have questions.

Laura Law