Jamey's Newsletter: Sunday, April 16, 2023
My father taught me to work hard at something until I finish it. It didn’t matter how mundane or boring the work was. If it was my responsibility, I was to finish it.
My father never said I had to like it; if he did, I missed that lesson.
It has taken me a while to learn that the work will always be a struggle as long as my attitude towards it remains negative. The apostle Paul says, “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Once I realized that what I do, I do for the glory of God, my appreciation for certain tasks began to grow. I started seeing that my skills and abilities were a gift and that even mundane tasks served a greater purpose.
What difference would it make if we started viewing our work as worship? What if we started viewing what we do as a way to honor God? Might it change how we approach our work?
Jamey
Sermon Notes:
In this unpredictable world, God is our place of refuge. Click Here to Tweet
“Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.'" - Psalm 16: 1-2 Click Here to Tweet
In this unsafe world, God is our place of protection. Click Here to Tweet
“I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." - Psalm 16: 8 Click Here to Tweet
Sunday Prayer:
Lord, I got excuses. Excuses for being neglectful towards others. Excuses for my blindness to the needs around me. And excuses for being preoccupied with my agenda. But, they are just that, excuses.
Lord, in your mercy, forgive me.
When the opportunity arises, help me find the moment to do good. When a gentle word is needed, help me find the words. When my life choices of the week call for a contribution to the greater good of my community, may I choose faithfulness over success. When love is being asked of me, may love be what is shown.
God, be my refuge this week. Amen.
Four-Part Series: Why Stay Christian? I will answer these four questions: 1. What do you feel is compelling about the Christian faith? 2. What do you find challenging about the Christian faith? 3. What encouragement would you share if someone struggles to stay in the faith? 4. What currently gives you hope about how the church lives out the faith?
2. What do you find challenging about the Christian faith?
What I find challenging about the Christian faith is the same thing I find compelling. (Read here about what I find compelling) Jesus is both compelling and challenging. He challenges my perspectives. He uncovers my prejudice. And his call to follow comes with a responsibility that requires sacrifice.
I also find hateful Christians challenging. If your faith causes you to hate people, you are doing it wrong. Mean-spirited people who call themselves Christians make it hard to be Christian.
Meme of the Week
Dad Jokes
Why couldn’t the flower ride its bike? It lost its petals.
How excited was the gardener about spring? He was so excited he wet his plants.
Book I am reading this week
Articles worth reading, videos worth watching, and/or podcasts worth listening to
She’s gone on 34 first dates in 19 countries over the past year. Here’s what she’s learned
Predictions about the decline of Christianity in America may be premature
On the Trail of the Fentanyl King
Youtube: Flannery O'Connor documentary
Top Ten (This is a little brain exercise I do - since I don’t do Wordle). I have a notebook where I make a list of ten things that serve as sort of a brain dump for me. It is random but fun. I plan on sharing it with you in 2023
Have you heard about the Magic Castle Hotel in California? They have free laundry service and a popsicle hotline by the pool. Click here to watch.
Before it got torn down, there was an old motel in Gainesville that I would drive by and daydream about turning into something spectacular.
What services would I provide:
I would steal the popsicle hotline from the Magic Castle Hotel….this is brilliant.
Offer $1.50 grilled cheese lunch w/ chips and sweet tea.
Pool area would play Beach Boys at the top of the hour (for fifteen minutes) and have a dance party beginning at 6pm.
Theme months where the lobby, employees and certain rooms would be decorated to represent the theme…..(Baseball in the Spring, Cartoon characters in Summer, etc)
Spend-a-Night Package Parties for children includes fun packages parents can choose from, including rooms, party room, and pool access. Parents required!
Halloween Trunk or Treat Party!
Christmas - Winter Wonderland Dinner and rooms with Christmas Decor
Artist in resident - room for the artist to stay and work - showcase work in lobby and night to meet the artist. (author, music, art, etc)
No TV’s in the room
Retreat Services for an in-town experience that includes service outreach projects.
What unique service would you provide if you owned a hotel/motel?
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
August 5-12 / Guiamaca, Honduras
Gainesville First United Methodist will be taking a team to Guiamaca, Honduras on Saturday August 5 - Saturday August 12. The cost of this trip is around $700 a person plus airfare. The trip will offer two options once we are in Honduras. One group will spend the week at Orphanage Emmanuel, ministering to the children and tackling various projects around the campus. Another group will spend the week in the surrounding community of Guiamaca, working on building a feeding center and single-family homes within that community. We will begin purchasing tickets at the end of March.
If you would like to join us for this incredible opportunity for building bridges to Jesus, please contact Rev. Joshua Hudson at jhudson@gfumc.com.
Happening at Gainesville First United Methodist Church (Gainesville, Georgia)
VBS / June 5-9
Ages: Rising Pre-K - Completed 5th grade
(Child must be 4 years old by September 1, 2023)
Launch into a cosmic quest where we will have a blast shining Jesus’ light to the world. Stellar rockets us on an out-of-this-world adventure that’s light years of faith-building fun.
We can’t wait to see you in outer space!
Weekly Blessing and/or Quotes
“Don't own so much clutter that you will be relieved to see your house catch fire.” ― Wendell Berry
If you are blessed by this newsletter, it will help me tremendously if you share it with others. Thank you for taking the time to read.