“Daybreak”–Things That Make Life Meaningful

Our midweek Lenten Study–”meeting God: no steeple required”–began on Wednesday evening, February 29, in Friendship Place. It is based on a video series entitled “aCross creation” that has been written by the Rev. Amy Lippoldt, pastor of Woodland United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas.

There are twelve episodes available, and we are using five of them during this study. They focus on a particular theme, reference a specific scripture, and are filmed at various locations in Kansas and Colorado. The episodes  that we are using are:

• “Daybreak” (Genesis 1:1-4)–(Flint Hills, near Matfield Green, Kansas)
• “A Consuming Fire” (Exodus 24:12-18)–(Wet Mountains, near Westcliffe, Colorado)
• “Washed by Grace” (Matthew 3:13-17 )–(Butcher Falls near Sedan, Kansas
• “Shifting Sands” (Matthew 7:24-27)–(Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado
• “Follow Me” (Matthew 8:18-22)–(Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, in central Kansas)

The first session dealt with “daybreak,” with reference to God’s creation of light on the first day of creation. We were reminded that “each sunrise represents God’s gift of life,” and we were invited to “write a list of the things that make your life meaningful.” I didn’t quite get mine done at daybreak today, but here there are:

• The chance to live another day;
• A heart that is in rhythm;
• People who love me and people to love;
• The sights and  sounds of children (especially grandchildren!);
• A purpose in life and the power to live;
• Colleagues, however old or young they may be;
• A refreshing nap once a day (or more often as needed);
• A dog who looks past my faults;
• The opportunity to live a life that “becomes the gospel;”
• Light in the midst of darkness.

Yes, I know that there is nothing spectacular or extraordinary about the list, but I think that is part of the point. It is the ordinary things that help to make life meaningful.

Lord, thank you for your power and presence. Thank you for your gifts in abundance that make life meaningful. Help me to live in a spirit of gratitude, and guide me to welcome each new day as a yet another gift from you. Amen.

You Are Welcome Here!

For the first six months of the year, a group of about fifteen of us worked together in an effort to “re-vision” the life and work of First United Methodist Church. It was an ambitious goal, and we were partially successful.

We read together You Only Have to Die: Leading Your Church to New Life by James Harnish. We looked at the statistical trends and patterns of our congregation and the community. We prayed together.  We talked together.

We thought that we would be able to develop a common vision or direction for our church’s life. It did not turn out quite that way–or at least not yet.

We continue to work toward understanding the “future with hope” that we do believe God has in store for us. We are working with a consultant in a strategic planning process. And we have decided that a long-used phrase really speaks to who we are–and who we want to be!

The phrase is simply, “You Are Welcome Here.”

• “You” means anybody and everybody who might come our way–intentionally or unintentionally.
• “Are” means “without condition.” We genuinely want to be open to whoever God sends our way. We want to avoid preconditions as much as possible.
• “Welcome” means that we want everyone to have a “place” where they can truly belong, discover a “pace” that works for them, and fulfill the “purpose” that God has for their lives.
• “Here” means not only First and Walnut but wherever God sends us as a congregation–individually and collectively.

Do we fully embody that commitment as a congregation? Not yet, but we are on the way. We need to live into this commitment to “radical hospitality” as we seek to live up to what we claim as God’s purpose.

It is not quite where I imagined that we would come out in the re-visioning process. But it is a place that I believe we need to be–and a place that we can become.

Grace and Peace,
Mark Conard

A Re-Visioning Prayer

The Place

The second Sunday in January, there was included in morning worship what I called “A Re-Visioning Prayer.” It was intended specifically for our situation at First United Methodist Church in downtown Hutchinson, KS, but I believe it could be applied anywhere and everywhere that people of faith and good will are looking for a new infusion of God’s guidance and grace.

The Purpose

This prayer is intended to guide us as we share together in the process of discerning, deciding, and discovering what it is we believe to be God’s purpose and direction for us as a congregation. This is a six month process for us to “re-vision our life and work as a church, including how we are governed and guided.”

The Possibility

I believe there is every possibility that God is inviting us–encouraging us, cajoling us, challenging us–to a renewed and deepened relationships–with God, one another, and in ministry to others. We will realize that possibility most fully and effectively, as we share together in prayer–individually and collectively.

The Prayer

God of grace and God of glory, you have called us to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

We ask your blessing and guidance as we discern, discover, and decide in the coming months your pur-pose and direction for us as a congregation.

Bless those who have accepted the invitation to help lead us in the process of re-visioning.

Bless each of us, as we faithfully participate in the ministries of this congregation by our prayers, our pres-ence, our gifts, our service, and our witness.

Bless all of us, that we might find the power and the passion that comes from your goodness and grace.

Empower us to find our way forward into the future with hope that you promise to those who seek you with all their heart. Amen.

The Power

My hope is that we will find the power that is evident in Joshua’s words in the Old Testament, “‘I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’”(Joshua 1:9)