GIFT (UN)REQUITED

He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” 

~Luke 14:12-14~

Have you ever been a part of a committee or group that plans "outreach" for a church or organization? If you have, I'm sure you remember a big part of the conversation being what the return would be. Often, when such planning happens, the big questions are "what will WE get out of this? How will this help with OUR growth? How will this help get OUR message out? 

Do not these queries seem contrary to what Jesus spoke of when He commissioned His disciples to go out and simply love and care for His people?

In Luke 14 we read the parable that Jesus taught of  the "Great Banquet." Through this story we learn that a gift is not a gift if it is given with an expectation of return. So, what does this reveal about how we have been doing things? It doesn't necessarily mean that we have been doing them completely wrong, but (maybe) it means that we need to take the time to examine our motives; we need to be reminded that what we do should be according to the missio Dei--God's mission. 

~

If you happened to drive by University United Methodist Church between 7 am and 9 am on Saturday morning, you may have noticed a line forming around the building. This was a result of the "Free Garage Sale" that was held in honor of our Outflow series. The "sale" started at 9 am and with the swinging open of the doors came the smiles and stories of many of God's beloved people. 

Everyday last week there were members of the congregation either bringing in donations or helping to organize and set things up for Saturday's "sale." There was an excellent variety of items for our neighbors to sift through, select, and make their own; from Keurigs to Keds, from books to blankets, the fellowship hall was not lacking in treasures. There was such an abundance that at the end of the day there was plenty left over to offer to other ministries (for example, the leftover men's clothing was taken to be used in a prison ministry).

This wasn't your average garage sale (and not just because everything was free). As soon as you walked in, you could smell the delicious scents of coffee provided by Pastor Randall and pastries baked by our congregants. Also, there were plenty of volunteers present to offer assistance, smiling faces, and listening ears. 

Those listening ears were blessed by some encouraging stories. One of those stories was of a woman shopping for things to furnish her new place, a place she recently moved into after having been homeless for quite some time. The day brought other soul-hugging stories as well, and I encourage you to visit with any of those who were there to hear them. 

It's the stories, the becoming a part of your neighbors' lives, that makes this life fulfilling.

There was some debate over calling this event a "Free Garage Sale" due to the title's oxymoron-ish nature, however there didn't seem to be a better way to express what we were doing.  The word "sale" implies some kind of return, but we weren't asking for money or any kind of payment (we weren't even requiring  a commitment to attend Sunday morning worship!), so it seemed to be a nonsensical name. Yet, even though the "goods" were free, those who gave them out were not left empty-handed: They received the joy that comes with being a part of the missio Dei.

In Luke 14:14, just before telling the parable of the "Great Banquet," Jesus spoke of the repayment His people would receive for doing His work. He spoke of a repayment that will happen when He comes again and all the righteous are resurrected.  This is an amazing promise to look forward to, but heaven is the "now, but not yet," meaning that, even though the ultimate fulfillment is in the future, we can still experience much of it's glory in the here and now. 

Anyone who has had the privilege of serving others knows that there are instant rewards. Connecting with others and pursuing identity in Christ is fulfilling in and of itself.

Over 300 Served!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction...For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 

~2 Corinthians 1:3-5~

This week our church celebrated World Communion Sunday by sharing in the offering of Christ's body. Partaking in the Eucharist is such a beautiful experience, it is not only a time of communion with our Lord, but an experience in connecting with fellow Christians and a time of transformation, during which we are reminded of our collaborative roles as Christ's present body in this world.  

While Jesus walked this earth He spent a lot of time healing and comforting others. So, it follows, that as His body, we should be dedicated to sharing comfort as well. Comfort can seem like an intangible thing, something that can be difficult to offer outside of kind words and prayer. However, when God's people come together in His name, we are able to break through such limiting notions to find new ways to be present in the lives around us.

For four and a half years a group of women from our congregation have been knitting shawls of different colors and sizes to be distributed to those in need of comfort and/or healing. Once a shawl is completed, it is labeled with the message: "A gift for you from University United Methodist Church with a prayer for your peace and comfort". 

During the Sunday services on September 28th, the congregation was blessed with the opportunity to hear more about our prayer shawl ministry. Pastor Randall told us about the impact that the shawls have made on the lives around us and we all got to be a part of blessing the newly knitted shawls that will soon go out to others in need of comfort. We learned that since the ministry first began in early 2010, over 300 shawls have been given away, not only to Las Cruces residents, but to people beyond state lines as well. 

Amid the shawls ready to be given away sits a binder full of thank you notes that the church has received since the beginning of this ministry. Some are simple notes of gratitude and some are letters of testimony--all are witness to the way God works in our lives. Here are some excerpts from a few of the cards:

I want to thank you so much for the wonderful, beautiful prayer shawl. I am so comforted and blessed by it and feel the love and caring that was put into it.

Thank you so much for the beautiful prayer shawl and all the prayers that you put into it. I have used it daily when i meditate and know I am enveloped in God's light and peace. 

I feel the Holy Spirit within me & now a shawl of love around me--thank you!

I received your church's prayer shawl in today's mail--oh, did the tears flow... It is on my chair where I sit to do my devotions and it will bring me much comfort and peace knowing that it was made and sent with much love. [e-mail sent from Ohio]

It means so much to know that there are such wonderful people that take the time to care about and pray for whom they only know of through friends... 

This ministry is a great example of the simple things that can be done to spread Christ's love throughout our communities. All it takes is a heart for God's creation and dedication to caring for those he cherishes. 

All are welcome to take and give shawls as they see fit, just come by the office any time during the week to pick one up. Our knitters do well to keep our shelves stocked, so that comfort is ready to be offered whenever there is a need. 

The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets every 4th Tuesday at 6pm in the church parlor. If you like to knit or crochet (or would like to learn how) drop by and meet all of the wonderful ladies who act as Christ's hands to offer comfort to His beloved people. If you can't make the meetings and you are interested in being involved in this ministry, or would like to donate supplies, feel free to stop by the office for a chat or email me (chrisann@uumclascruces.org) for more information.

Sent To Publish Peace

And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 

~Romans 10:15~

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” 
~Isaiah 52:7~

When speaking with people in this world wrought with postmodernism, one often hears a sense of distrust in organized religion. To many, the church does not bring a message of love and peace, but a message of judgment and fear. 

University United Methodist Church of Las Cruces, NM is a church with a mission. Our congregation is committed to serving others so that they may know Christ, grow in Him, and show His love to others. We know that as Christians we are called to share the Good News; we are sent to publish peace.

Peace is a word that gets thrown around a lot, especially during times of war. But what should we understand peace to be? Is it merely the absence of war? Or, is it something deeper than an escape from violence? 

Shalowm, the Hebrew word translated as "peace" in Isaiah 52:7, is used to describe a completeness or soundness that comes with being in a covenant relationship with God. Eirene, the Greek word translated as "peace" in Romans 10:15, illustrates the tranquil state of a soul that is assured of its salvation.

So, the peace we read of in Scripture is more than the absence of conflict; peace is a state of balance that comes with knowing God and finding identity in Him. The Good News is that God's promises are available to all, not just those who fit neatly into church pews, but everyone. The Good News is that all are saved from their sins, that all have hope for the future, and that all are beloved by the Lord.

Those who bring the Good News of Jesus to others may not end wars (though they may influence reconciliation and resolution), however, they do bring peace--peace to mind, body, and spirit.

This new blog will highlight the work of UUMC and it's many ministries and outreach programs. The goal is not to have everyone look to see how wonderful we are, but to look and see that God has many hands working in our lives, and to read and be inspired to "Go therefore and publish peace!" (Matt. 28:19; Isaiah 52:7--writer's paraphrase).