Trinity Sunday @ First UMC - Iraan

What a blessing Trinity Sunday was for everyone at the First UMC in Iraan! Our fellowship time was a tasty affair, which included yummy Krispy Kreme donuts Belinda brought from Friday's Chamber of Commerce fundraiser in McCamey. It is a real joy to gather before worship each Sunday in the kitchen!

Before worship began this morning, we paused to pay tribute to our nation's fallen warriors and listened to Kirke McKenzie play taps on the harmonica.

During our prayer time, we sang happy birthday to Deanna Jordan and Cathy Allen. We also shared in the joy of celebrating Burton & Josephine Lanehart's 68th anniversary and Pat & Lawrence Schneider's 52nd anniversary.

Special prayers were asked for Ronnie's son who is deploying to northern Iraq next month. This Sunday is observed as Peace with Justice Sunday, and prayers were asked for the children of Liberia who are recovering from that country's civil war. Other prayer requests included: (1) prayers for graduates, their families, their teachers, coaches, school staff members who have journeyed with the students and who celebrate such an important milestone in their lives; (2) travelling mercies for all those travelling this weekend; (3) prayers for Kirke who is about to travel near and far... "far" includes China and Hong Kong!

Praise be to God whose Love walks with us ... through it all!!!

Trinity Sunday Prayer

(Andrei Rublev's "The Trinity" Icon)

Almighty and everlasting God, You have given to us Your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of Your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see You in Your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(The Book of Common Prayer)

Remember the purpose of Memorial Day weekend

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow between the crosses row on row, that mark our place; and in the sky the larks, still bravely singing, fly scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved, and now we lie in Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die we shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders fields.

By Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)

Canadian Army

ALDERSGATE DAY 2010

[Wesley’s conversion memorial, London]

The Rev. John Wesley’s journal entry for Wednesday, May 24, 1738

I think it was about five this morning that I opened my Testament on those words, “There are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, even that ye should be partakers of the divine nature” [II Peter 1:4]. Just as I went out, I opened it again on those words, “Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.” [Mark 12:34].

In the afternoon I was asked to go to St. Paul’s [Cathedral]. The anthem was, “Out of the deep have I called unto Thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice. Oh, let Thine ears consider well the voice of my complaint. If Thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who may abide it? For there is mercy with Thee; therefore shalt Thou be feared. O Israel, trust in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his sins.”

In the evening I went very unwillingly to a [Moravian] society in Aldersgate Street [London], where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.

I began to pray with all my might for those who had in a more especial manner despitefully used me and persecuted me. I then testified openly to all there what I now first felt in my heart. But it was not long before the enemy suggested, “This cannot be faith; for where is thy joy?” Then was I taught that peace and victory over sin are essential to faith in the Captain of our salvation; but that, as to the transports of joy that usually attend the beginning of it, especially in those who have mourned deeply, God sometimes giveth, sometimes withholdeth, them according to the counsels of His own will.

After my return home, I was much buffeted with temptations, but I cried out, and they fled away. They returned again and again. I as often lifted up my eyes, and He “sent me help from his holy place.” And herein I found the difference between this and my former state chiefly consisted. I was striving, yea, fighting with all my might under the law, as well as under grace. But then I was sometimes, if not often, conquered; now, I was always conqueror.

Pentecost Sunday @ FUMC - Iraan

It was Pentecost Sunday in Iraan this morning and what a morning it was! The fellowship hall and kitchen were alive with a boisterous fellowship and an amazing assortment of home-made treats. If you know of someone who hasn't sampled hospitality, Iraan-style, let them know about next month's fellowship breakfast now!

Our worship service was energized by realization that the same Spirit that was at that first Pentecost in Jerusalem was with John Wesley at Aldersgate Street in London and is with us today in Iraan!

San Angelo District Conference

The 2010 San Angelo District Conference was held this afternoon at St. Luke's UMC in San Angelo. We began with a service of sending forth with recognition of those clergy changing appointments in July. We also bade farewell to those pastors retiring including Earl & Claire Richardon.

Today at FUMC - Iraan

The faithful gathered at the First UMC in Iraan this morning and shared in fellowship and worship with joy-filled spirits.

Thanks to Marie Richardson who provided some home-made danish which made for some tasty sharing in the kitchen! We also bade farewell to Mike McLaughlin as he is moving to Fredricksburg later this week.

Prayer for Ascension Sunday

(Ascension window from Grace Lutheran Church, Macungie, PA)

O God, whose blessed Son, our great high priest, has entered once for all into the Holy Place and ever liveth to intercede on our behalf: grant that we, sanctified by the offering of His body may draw near with full assurance of faith by the way which He has dedicated for us and evermore serve Thee, the living God; through the same Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

Church of South India

In honor of Count von Zinzendorf

(Zinzendorf monument in Herrnhut, Germany)

This week marks the 240th anniversary of the death of Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf.

To mark the occasion, here is a prayer from the Book of Common Prayer [I'm sharing it because of the HUGE influence he and the Moravians had on John Wesley]:

"God of life made new in Christ, you call your Church to keep on rising from the dead: We remember before you the bold witness of your servant Nicolaus von Zinzendorf, through whom your Spirit moved to draw many in Europe and the American colonies to faith and conversion of life; and we pray that we, like him, may rejoice to sing your praise, live your love and rest secure in the safekeeping of the Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."

-The Book of Common Prayer

A hot Monday in Iraan

It is a hot day in west Texas, with the afternoon temperature reaching over 104F. At the Iraan Senior Center this morning, six FUMC members joined in the boisterous fun-loving crowd taking their lunch at the center. Monday-Wednesday-Friday: this is the place to be!

After leaving Iraan, Pastor Charles stopped in Rankin for a meeting. Also there were Revs. Earl & Claire Richardson, who send their greetings to all the good people in the area!

Mother's Day at First UMC - Iraan

Happy Mother's Day! What a blessing it was to be with the faithful this morning as we gathered for worship. The fellowship was filled with laughter and the worship was likewise rich with joy. A number of our regular attendees were away for the weekend and they'll be sorry they were not with us today!

Pastor Charles placed potted flowers on the table that were given to the nine mothers present. There were enough left to be able to take flowers to the mothers who were absent today.

Mother's Day Proclamation

Mother's Day Proclamation by Julia Ward Howe (1870)

Arise then...women of this day! Arise, all women who have hearts! Whether your baptism be of water or of tears!

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Say firmly:"We will not have questions answered by irrelevant agencies, our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause. Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience. We, the women of one country,will be too tender of those of another country to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."

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From the bosom of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with our own. It says: "Disarm! Disarm!The sword of murder is not the balance of justice." Blood does not wipe out dishonor, nor violence indicate possession. As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil at the summons of war, let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel.

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Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead. Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means whereby the great human family can live in peace...Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar, but of God.

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In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask that a general congress of women without limit of nationality, may be appointed and held at someplace deemed most convenient and the earliest period consistent with its objects, to promote the alliance of the different nationalities,the amicable settlement of international questions, the great and general interests of peace.

Senior's Lunch, part 2

Thanks to the following for volunteering and supporting the 2010 Senior's Lunch:

Cathy Allen, Blake Andrews, Wanda Carpenter, Chris Franks, Deanna Jordan, James Jordan, Josephine Lanehart, Burton Lanehart, Lee Mann, Lois Ann McKenzie, Wanda Morrow, Marie Richardson, and Pat Schneider

Senior's Lunch, part 1

The annual lunch held at the First UMC in Iraan was held today (May 5) and by every measure the event was a big success! Nearly 50 students, teachers and FUMC members crowded into the fellowship hall for a meal of burgers, chips (with home-made salsa!), and an amazing variety of bars and brownies.

Pastor Charles led the students in the "Superman Blessing" before the meal. While everyone was enjoying the meal, he read to the students Dr. Seuss' "Oh, the places you will go!" Everyone had a great time and left the church with smiles and full tummies!

May arrives in Iraan

May arrived in Iraan today and with beautiful weather to greet us we gathered together for fellowship and to worship. What a blessing it is to come together each week with others who enjoy each other's company! What a blessing it is to come together to worship our awesome God!!!