One of the things JoAnne and I will miss from Community Wesleyan is the themed fellowship dinners. Over the years we have attended many of them from Valentine Dinners with intimate settings for two to grand senior buffets with all kinds of themes. Last Saturdays’ Italian night was a bunch of fun, not just in my opinion, but from the reports of many who have commented on it to my wife and me both privately and publicly.
Bible Trivia contests were fascinating
The occasion was the long delayed wrap-up of the Big Bible Bonanza emphasis we had in the late fall. The two teams – the Goldfish under the leadership of Rhett LaForte and the Blue Angels rallying behind Mark Boswell — battled for points that could only be earned by consistent daily Bible reading. Bonuses went to those who did not miss a day and to teams with more than sixty percent not missing a day. After many weeks, the Goldfish prevailed. So the Blue Angels had to prepare the dinner, while the Goldfish picked the menu. To keep with the Bible knowledge goal, at the dinner, we played Bible trivia in three ways. Two games were written quizzes. One was a paragraph containing hidden names of Bible books. Several people found all sixteen. The second was a matching test. Again, a few whizzes aced it. The final trivia contest was a live rematch between the two teams. Pastor Kelvin emceed the game and the Blue Angels won by just one question.
Thanks to the organizers and artists
Thanks go to JoAnne Jones who thought up the Big Bible Bonanza emphasis to encourage daily Bible reading and who also planned the Italian feast. Thanks also to Lea Harrington and Keely Stater who lent art work and to Lea for decorating so beautifully. The artwork was so elegantly set as you can see in the pictures. Thank you to all who cooked and all who helped make this fine event happen.
What do you do in winter when the snow is flying and the temperature is dropping? Well, among my wife’s and my favorite pastimes for winter evenings after Christmas are jigsaw puzzles. We have a collection of them and we put several together every year. Once one is together we look at it for a short time—the harder it was—the longer we look at it—then we tear it apart again and box it up again, storing all the pieces carefully in a plastic bag tied securely with a twisty so no pieces are lost. The season must always begin with JoAnne’s old favorites from childhood. They are thick Tuco ones with a piece or two missing, but what they don’t have in looks, they have in memories. Then we progress to the harder and bigger ones. We just boxed back up this one; it was 1000 pieces. The black sections were fairly tough. Now we are starting one that focuses on America’s National Parks.
Once again this winer I took my turn in serving as teacher for the Burmese Bible School, Syracuse location. My assignment was a new one—to teach a course in expository preaching. I accepted since preaching is a favorite discipline of mine and I felt well prepared both by my years of formal training and by my own practice of study and preaching. I also felt that I might be able to build on the foundation I had made last year when teaching Introduction to Homiletics. There is a huge amount of preparation and the course delivery is concentrated—three weekends, Friday evening and all day Saturday. So it is draining but also exhilarating. For most of the sessions I prepared PowerPoint outlines and handed out printed notes. This helps the interpreter to follow me too. In addition, in this course Pastor Than and myself each preached example sermons for the class. I also shared many example sermon outlines.
Pastor Than Aung Assisted
It was my privilege once again to have Pastor Than Aung as my interpreter. Since he is a Princeton grad himself, he is a very capable assistant as well as interpreter. This is what is needed as much of the grading responsibility falls to him due to the need for him to read the students’ homework and test answers in Burmese. I very much enjoy teaching prospective pastors and teachers and am energized by it. I was also extremely gratified by the beautiful encouraging words I received from the students at the close of the last session.
November 20th, my Mom, Dorothy I. Jones, went to be with her Savior. She had turned 90 in August. Though she had been declining for months as a consequence of slow congestive heart failure, the end happened quite suddenly and unexpectedly. I’ve been working on this Thanksgiving tribute to Mom for a couple days. Also, here’s a link to her obituary.
When I think of my Mom, one of the first blessings that comes to mind is our phone conversations. The chain of them began when I was a freshman at the University of Rochester. Late at night I would sit at the hallway telephone and talk to Mom. Our conversations have never been short and that habit goes back to that year too. Recent years I would get on my cell phone while sitting in my big chair and converse. It was not unusual to be an hour on the phone. We covered a lot of subjects; family news, farm news, church news and upcoming schedules. But Mom also talked about Bible verses she was studying or teaching from, articles or books she had read, things from gardening in the summer and feeding birds in the winter, and even news items of note—she loved Paul Harvey especially. I will miss those conversations.
I’m thankful for her prayers
Another great blessing from my Mom was her prayer life.
JoAnne and I took a couple days off to go to Connecticut this past week. It’s a combination of things. For one, we acknowledge that we are pretty taken with our new grandson. He is so loving. He cuddles right up to his Grandpa and Grandma J. Attached are some photos by doting grandparents for Sammy’s nine month mark.
We also go to help Keely and Mark as we can with the practical things of being homeowners. I am the family handyman, I guess. And I am blessed that my son-in-law asks me to mentor him in learning to take care of his home as he is a first time homeowner. This trip we worked with the extension ladder he bought, learning to set up and lower it properly. Hurricane Sandy did no damage to their house, thankfully, but it did reveal a couple serious east wind leaks that needed quick attention. So Mark and I spent Saturday morning on the sunroom roof fixing those. I trust we were successful.
Daily Bible reading is a basic discipline of disciples
Blue Angels vs. Goldfish
Everyone a winner – that was our goal at the beginning of the Bible reading emphasis. More specifically, the goal was to increase the number of people reading their Bible every day. Well, what has happened? How are we doing? Our organizers divided the congregation into two alphabetical teams as evenly as they could, based upon the list of those that attend. Team names chosen were the Blue Angels for the first half of the alphabet and the Goldfish (think of the ancient Christian symbol) for the second half. The goal was not how much you read, but to read at least 5 verses every day. People, including children reported their reading through their classes and small groups. Adults could read to younger children. (Those who were not attending a small group could report directly to the organizers.)
Discipline is not easy but accountability helps
Surprisingly, there was a little mumbling among even some seasoned Christians at being asked to participate in something that required one to be accountable for the discipline of Scripture reading. But, as the contest progressed, conviction and the encouragement of friends prevailed. This illustrated that though we sometimes resist being accountable to one another, it is almost always beneficial to us in the long run. Discipline is not easy. I have to confess that during the five weeks, I missed one day myself while traveling. But I was glad for the added accountability provided by the contest.
Classes and groups influential
The idea of reporting to small groups turned out to be very influential, especially among the adults. Participation in several adult classes grew as the contest continued. Last week three adult classes, those led by Larry Nemitz, George Raterman and Claude Walrath, all reported 100% of their members reading every day. Congratulations to these teachers and their classes.
Families blessed
Hearing of increases in Bible reading across the board is a great win for everyone. Contest records show that 31 people never missed a day in the first four weeks. (Those who have a perfect record for all five weeks will be recognized at the dinner.) They set the pace for all of us. Another inspiration is learning of personal stories like that of a family of four, who read every day from the sermon coordinated suggestions—the father read to his family. When the father had to spend a few days in the hospital, his young son volunteered to take his place. (At their suggestion, I’ll be making a list of coordinated reading for the next three weeks too, even though the contest will be ended.) Another family called in their points while traveling. (Families were allowed to call in points one Sunday out of the five.) I’d love to hear more stories of how you have been blessed by the Bible reading contest.
A great example of encouraging one another
The first two weeks of the contest, only one team, the Blue Angels, received the bonus for having more that 60% of those participating reading every day. The second week, neither team received it. But by the fourth week, both teams exceeded 70% of readers reading every day. The highest percentage so far was 76% reading daily achieved by the Goldfish on week three. At this writing, the Goldfish are looking strong. Of the people on their team, on the average, they had a larger number who read their Bibles and reported than the Blue Angels did, which added up. But certainly we all win by confirming the habit of Bible reading. So we will all celebrate with a dinner on Nov. 10. A big thank you to key contest organizer JoAnne Jones, John Risley—who helped with stats— team captains Mark Boswell and Rhett Laforte, and Sunday School teachers and group leaders who helped encourage their class. This was a great example of putting into practice Hebrews 10:23-25. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (NIV 1984).
I haven’t played golf in a couple years. But I was invited to go out today to Casolwood in Canastota with Mark Boswell, Shaun Harrington and Peter Moon. It was great friendship and many laughs from the start. We played eighteen holes of captain and crew and came in at three under par. It was overcast but dry and warm with temperatures in the low sixties, a great fall day. The course was in good shape for late fall. I took advantage of my age and played from the Sr. tees. Pete hit some monster drives. Mark used his experience to make the calls as to which shot to play. Shaun saved his best shots for the last holes, saving us from golf disaster several times. I stayed with my three-wood most of the afternoon since I have played so little. But on the 17th hole, Pete tempted me into finally getting out the driver. He had hit a great drive and I knew that in order to better it, I had to move up from the three-wood to the driver. So I did and successfully outdrove him, surprising none more than myself. I ended on eighteen with another picturesque driver shot – one of my best ever. Whenever I play golf, I always remember the advice of my friend Bryce Tuttle, former owner of Skyridge Golf Course. He used to say, “Golf is a believer’s game.” Pete, however, said that he has to dream it. Then he can make the shot. Well, sometimes he did and sometimes… but that’s golf. The outdoor air, the few good shots you make and the great company keep you coming back.
JoAnne and I love walking at Green Lakes. It’s good exercise, it’s calming to the spirit, and there is just something about nature that invigorates. I think God made it that way. If we are walking together, we can talk over things. If she has gone on ahead to conquer more territory, I often pray as I walk. I enjoy greeting the other people walking and occasionally, I’m privileged to pet a dog or two as well.
Lots of animals and birds to see
We have observed all kinds of creatures while walking; deer are regulars—four at once on this walk. As a bird-watcher I’ve observed many birds there too—owls, pileated woodpeckers, a pheasant, wild turkey, crows, ravens, vultures, geese, to name the bigger birds. Probably the rarest ones for this area that I’ve seen were an orchard oriole and a fox sparrow. This past summer I was overjoyed to spot a scarlet tanager in full color.
Fall pictures on the path by Round Lake
Speaking of full color, fall is such a gorgeous time to walk in the falling leaves. Here are some pictures I snapped with my old Kodak digital. It has such blue blues.
This has been a great pastor appreciation month. My associate, Pastor Eric and I say thank you to all of you—so many kind words, gifts, food donations and people generally going the extra mile to make us feel special. Just as a sample, today I received a restaurant gift certificate & a great berry pie from adults, a plate of scrumptious chocolate brownies & card from a teen and a handmade appreciation card from a child. Wow! Beth Winans has done a great job coordinating it all too.
United prayers were a highlight
Last week as Eric and I (and our wives too in 1st service) knelt at the altar rails while many in the congregation gathered around us, laid hands on us and prayed, I felt so blessed. How blessed to be prayed for by the gathered body of Christ. It is so encouraging and empowering. JoAnne told me she was doing pretty well at not being emotional through all the thoughtful prayers until one of the teen girls prayed, then she was so touched, she could no longer hold back the tears and needed my handkerchief.
Seeing other people minister is rewarding
One of the biggest blessings of the month for me was to see so many people step up in this morning’s services and do things I had not seen them do before—like Anthony calling for the ushers and Caleb Wilkinson praying over the offering in second service, Mystical speaking so articulately about Eric’s analogies, Phil Seamans tenderly leading the congregation in prayer time in second service, Shaun Harrington clearly bringing a very Biblical message in second service and so many others who gave testimonies. As I near retirement, it becomes more and more gratifying to me to see that our church is equipping people to do the work of ministry in so many different forms. One of the greatest pastor appreciation things that could happen is to see those I have influenced “catching the wave,” “getting on board,” and actually doing the things I do, sometimes better than I do them, but in the same Christian Spirit. That is how the body of Christ is to grow and multiply its influence.
Thank you all for a great month.
“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.” 2 Th 1:3 NIV
