Jamey's Newsletter: Sunday, May 28, 2023
Lather on the SPF 35 and throw some ribs on the grill; summertime is here. The Memorial Day holiday begins the season of flip-flops and homemade peach ice cream. Of course, many folks will take advantage of the long weekend to soak in some sun. But, during our BBQs, parades, and family festivities, let's remember it is a day of remembrance.
Memorial Day is rooted in commemorating soldiers who gave their lives in the Civil War. It has since expanded to a day of tribute to the dead soldiers of all the nation's wars. It is a holiday of remembrance.
What good is remembering? What good does it do to set aside a day once a year when we show reverence to the men and women who have sacrificed lives for our freedom? Does it make us better citizens? Instead, politicians use the occasion to give partisan speeches. The entertainment industry takes advantage of the long weekend to host concerts. Antique car owners take advantage of parade crowds to show off their toys.
There are two types of remembering. The first type of remembering has to do with recollection. It is called nostalgia. It belongs to the folks who say we must return to "the good old days." This remembering is based on emotions. Our emotions govern what we remember and get stuck in the past. It forces us into denial. Instead of moving forward in life, we want to retreat. Instead of claiming our future, we want to manipulate it. Instead of trusting in the mystery of life, we feel robbed. We all have a few relatives who do this remembering.
The second type of remembering is active. It is making present the memory of the past. The memory of yesterday gives us hope and direction for the future because they tell us something about ourselves. This remembering finds redemptive moments in the past and brings them into the present so we may live in the future. Remembering is more than taking a trip down memory lane. It is about finding hope to live in the future. We remember the sacrifices so that we may be hopeful for tomorrow.
The latter kind of remembering is being asked for this weekend. Active remembering of the sacrifices made gives us hope for a better tomorrow. Hope allows us to look beyond ourselves to what can be for those coming after us. Our politicians need to get this. Active and hopeful remembering evokes the imagination to consider a better future. So this weekend, we remember and give thanks.
Jamey
Let's Talk About the Holy Spirit
(Pre-recorded online worship from Gainesville First UMC, Gainesville, Georgia)
Weekly Prayer
Lord, the bad breath of hate, division, and unforgiveness has made it difficult to be around others and found its way into me.
Breathe on me, transforming the hard-heartedness into a passion-filled life. Breathe on me so that that hate can be transformed into love, the ugly division into the love of neighbor, and I can breathe out grace in my daily life.
Breathe into us all a passion for justice and mercy that cannot be quenched until all of your children are loved, until no one is oppressed,
until everyone has the opportunity to thrive, until the world is transformed and renewed.
Breathe on us, the power and presence of Jesus. Amen.
Sermon Nuggets
As leaders, we must choose not to allow our approach to serving to be filled with enemies to be conquered but instead, neighbors to be loved. This is the way of Jesus. ((Click Here to Tweet)
We must refuse to lead in a way that insists on making enemies for the sake of having our own purpose to exist. (Click Here to Tweet)
In a Jesus follower's life, nothing significant will happen if the Spirit's wind is not moving. (Click Here to Tweet)
You can watch the live stream of the classic service of Gainesville First United Methodist Church by following on Youtube - click here to subscribe
Meme of the Week
Dad Jokes
What did the pig say on a hot summer day? I’m bacon!
Why do bananas use sunscreen? Because they peel!
Wisdom Nugget: Don’t reserve your kindness and praise for someone until their eulogy. Tell them while they are still alive when it still makes a difference. Write it on a note that they can keep.
A Question to Consider (conversation starters): If you could only use a food item to describe it, what food would you name if asked, “Where did you grow up?”
Photo Taken by Me
The photo is taken at the ancient hilltop fortress of Masada, Israel. Masada is a rugged natural fortress in the Judaean Desert overlooking the Dead Sea. It is the location of the last stand of Jewish patriots in the face of the Roman army in 73 A.D. The Dead Sea is in the background. Click here to learn more about Masada.
Articles worth reading, videos worth watching, and/or podcasts worth listening to
What Do You Do When You Suddenly Have $1 Billion?
How Did Hokas Become So Popular?
Notes from Prince Harry’s Ghostwriter
‘Christianity’s Got a Branding Problem’
Down With Pickleball! Long Live Tennis
Pound Cake (Thank you, Susan Daniell, for sending this to me)
Podcast: The War on Our Shore
Podcast: The Way Back
What’s Cookin’?
Cakey Strawberry Cobbler (click to see recipe)
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
August 5-12 / Guiamaca, Honduras
Gainesville First United Methodist will take a team to Guiamaca, Honduras, from 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 to build bridges to Jesus, please get in touch with 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
“May you realize that the shape of your soul is unique, that you have a special destiny here, that behind the facade of your life there is something beautiful, good, and eternal happening. May you learn to see yourself with the same delight, pride, and expectation with which God sees you in every moment.” - John O'Donohue
I would love to have your feedback. Do you have a meme, dad joke, question to ponder, or wisdom nugget worth sharing? Have you come across an interesting article, podcast, or video that you found meaningful? Is there a quote or blessing that you are currently holding onto? If so, please share it. Let’s make this a community space where we connect with one another.
If you find encouragement in this newsletter, I would love for you to take the opportunity to share it with others. Thank you for reading.