Jamey's Newsletter: Sunday, February 27, 2022
He sat on a bench at the park where I would take my children to ride their bicycles. Although I had been to the park many times, I had never seen him before.
I caught his gaze and nodded with a friendly smile. He said he wasn’t from here but was passing through. He asked if I knew where he could get a warm meal.
He didn’t have any money. I had a ten-dollar bill in my wallet but had promised my boys an ice cream cone. So I said, “I didn’t know.”
I started questioning myself. So I pulled out the ten-dollar bill, and on the next lap around the bike lane, I was going to give him the money, but he was gone.
The bible says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that, some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
I don’t know if I missed out on entertaining an angel that day. But I do know that I neglected an opportunity to do good.
Opportunities to do good are all around us. So, where are you being asked to step up today?
Jamey
Together, What If?
Weekly Prayer
A Prayer for Ukraine
To The One Who Sits on the Heavenly Throne,
The way our world turns, we wonder if anyone is in charge. The way the days pass, we fear what tomorrow will bring. When weapons are drawn, we become skeptical of peace.
And yet, it is from the heavenly throne that you declare, “I am the Alpha and Omega.” Therefore, we trust you with our beginnings and will cling to you at our end.
We pray specifically for the people of Ukraine. We pray for the laying down of weapons. We pray for your peace over those fearful of what tomorrow will bring.
We pray for the most vulnerable who have been caught in the crossfires of war.
And we pray for those in power who have the authority to declare peace or war; may wisdom and compassion guide their decisions.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
Meme of the Week
Dad Joke
Which days are the strongest? Saturday and Sunday. The rest are weekdays.
How do you make a water bed bouncier? Add spring water.
I have been thinking………..
Zechariah and Elizabeth are two characters in the biblical Christmas story.
Before the angel Gabriel showed up to Mary, he first appeared to Zechariah. Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, were of priestly descent and were faithful and godly people.
In their long marriage, they had been childless, and now they were old.
The angel Gabriel tells Zechariah that God would answer their anguished prayers, and he would have a son.
Zechariah didn’t believe. Couldn’t believe it. Didn’t want to believe it.
Zechariah struggled to believe the news. And because of his disbelief, he was struck mute. For the entirety of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, he couldn’t talk.
He was silent.
No words for nine months.
Here is what I am pondering………What if God does some of God’s best work in places where we find it difficult to believe? Could it be that God is at work behind the scenes giving birth to miracles that have yet to be seen?
If so, don’t give up! Your miracle could be the place where doubt has left you silent.
Photo of the Week (Photos taken by me)
A 17-hour drive from Ukraine is the small former Soviet-occupied country of Latvia. I was in Latvia in 2016. This particular Methodist Church in Latvia had been converted into a gym for Soviet soldiers during the Soviet occupation. The pews and religious artifacts had been placed in a closet. Sunday School classes turned into apartments for soldiers. The worship space transformed into a weight room.
Meet the Woman Who Drove to All 50 States Looking for Stories About Kindness. The 5 Lessons She Learned Changed the Way She Sees the World—and May Just Shift How You See It, Too: Click Here to Read
And here is her website: Click Here
An Oral History of “Free Bird”: Click Here To Read
Clergy Shortage: Click Here To Read
A Gainesville author, a 1972 triple murder in NC and a mystery finally solved: Click Here To Read (If you are into podcast, check out the full story behind the Dixie Mafia at https://www.intheredclaypodcast.com)
Looking for an opportunity to serve? Have a favorite crockpot soup recipe?
Thursday, March 10: Enota Elementary
Thursday, March 24: Riverbend Elementary
Thursday, April 21: Centennial Elementary
We will be serving the faculty, staff, and teachers at these schools.
We are planning to serve soup and sides along with dessert. If you can help in providing soup and sides or if you are available to serve, please contact Misty Leach at mleach@gfumc.com
Thank you for participating in this ministry as we support our local schools.
Question Reflection
How do you feel about clowns?
Happening at Gainesville First United Methodist Church
Coming up mid-week:
Ash Wednesday Reflection
“We Can Do Hard Things” I am excited about this new addition to the mid-week newsletter. In this section, we will explore how we can tackle the difficult things that life throws at us and face our fears.