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ow we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.. – 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 (NRSV)
Each morning we all wake up and begin our daily routines. At some point we have to check out our face in the mirror, “dimly” or not, to make sure we are presentable for the “face-to-face” encounters of the day. Our spirits must also awake to face the day!
The Apostle Paul’s partial/complete comparisons at the end of the Love Chapter (1 Corinthians 13) tell us that our daily walk is one of faith that moves toward hope. The dim uncertainties of today will be revealed in full someday and the path to knowing God face to face is the love of Jesus Christ! Such love brings face-to-face encounters with others, as well.
As I begin my fourth month as your pastor, I’m still putting names to faces, so be patient with me! The new Pictorial Church Directory that replaces the one from four years ago will be helpful for me and the other new faces who are showing up. Thanks to everyone who came to get their picture made and to Vinnie Perry, Erika Dorsey, Phyllis Webb and all the others who are volunteering their time behind the scenes to complete the new Church directory that should be out by the end of this year!Everyone will benefit from an updated directory that will help us get to know each other “face-to-face.”-p2-1.PNG)
I saw a lot of expressions of joy about First UMC on the faces of more than 20 folks who showed up for the Planning Retreat on September 10. We heard positive reports about the many ministries of our church and there was enthusiasm as we considered the months ahead. It was an opportunity for me to become more familiar with the First UMC structures and to share my understanding of God’s vision for us at this time. The Church Council, under the able direction of Chair Ann McDonald, agreed to continue our Congregational Transformation consultation with Dr. Don Nations and DNA Coaching which you’ll be hearing more about soon. We also clarified our fall stewardship approach and made plans for the Charge Conference (church business meeting) for 5:30 p.m., the Sunday before Thanksgiving, November 20.
Another facial encounter being prepared for November will be what I like to call Neighborhood Chats, an opportunity for church folks to share an evening of refreshments and conversations together with other members and attendees who live nearby, but may not be well known to each other. It also allows me as the new guy to visit in a small group atmosphere outside the rush of Sunday mornings. In order to accommodate about 10 persons in each gathering, we will probably need 8-10 homes around Terrell to host an evening or Sunday afternoon during the first couple of weeks of November. Please be thinking if you would be willing to make your home available for one of these meetings. Watch your Sunday bulletin for more details.
October 2 is World Communion Sunday, the time of the year when we join with churches around the globe recognizing our unity in Christ around the sacramental table. We will also begin a short sermon series on “Three Simple Rules” that come to us from Methodism’s founding father, John Wesley, to help us live in the example of Jesus.
The Sunday after October 8's “Country Store” event, we “walk the talk” as we meet for an EARLY WORSHIP SERVICE at 8:30 a.m. to go out into the Terrell community to serve others in “Labor to Your Neighbor.” You are also invited to the United Methodist Men’s Breakfast at 8:00 a.m. We’ll return to our regular schedule on Sunday, October 16. It seems like quite a few new faces have visited us lately. Let’s make sure they experience the most welcoming congregation in Terrell! And, that means a face-to-face encounter that shares the love of Jesus who has already shown us on the cross that our FACE VALUE is given a very high price!!!
By Rev. Keith L. Head (keith@fumcterrell.org)
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The Country Store needs more items. Everyone can donate something. Just look around your home and gather your unused items and donate them for resale at the Country Store on October 8.