Learn To Be Wise

I’m looking forward to the February sermon series called, The Heart of a Loving Family.  The first two Sundays of February I plan to study together in Colossians 3:1-17, a passage that has much to teach about how to have good relationships.    The title is Heart Cleaning Helps and next week, on Valentines’ Day the subject is Spiritual Redecorating.    The sermon Feb. 21 will reinforce the importance of the marriage covenant as we talk about some benefits of marriage and why God says he hates divorce.

Feb. 28 is Preschool  Sunday and children from Noah’s Ark Christian Preschool and their families will be in our 10:30 a.m. service.   The message that morning will be on The Five Love Languages for Children.

Saturday I had the privilege of attending the Karen New Year’s celebration in Utica with JoAnne and other teachers from our church’s ESL ministry.   First we were invited to an early lunch at the Utica Karen Wesleyan Church with many traditional ethnic foods.  I enjoyed sampling the different dishes.   Then we went to the gym at Mohawk Valley Community College for the main celebration.  

I learned that while the holiday itself only dates back to about 1939 during the British colonial administration, the Karen people count their years from the time they migrated as a people to Burma, about 739 B.C.   The New Year was celebrated with the blowing of a ceremonial animal horn and beating of a drum.  Then there were traditional dances in beautiful colorful costumes.   One was the ‘banboo’ dance where participants danced in between moving poles.   One of the neatest parts was the honoring the elders.   About fifteen of the oldest people were brought forward and seated on the side.   A line of young men came out and recognized them followed by a line of young ladies bearing gifts.  Then one of the elders spoke.  

When I download from my camera I hope to include some pictures.  As the pictures will show, our ESL teachers were among those honored at the celebration for their help given to the Karen people. 

There was a real excitement in the meeting of the 50^th Anniversary committee last night, a real sense that it was a privilege to be able to mark this milestone of God’s faithfulness and look forward to the future of our church.  I chose devotions from 1 Sam. 7:7-17, describing how Samuel built an Ebenezer stone (“stone of help”) to commemorate God’s help in Israel’s victory over their enemies. Pastor Eric referred us to the account in Joshua where Israel built a monument of 12 stones to remind everyone of God’s parting the waters of the Jordan. We reflected upon how in a sense the whole idea of celebrating an anniversary and all the ways we mark it are an “Ebenezer”, a “Stone of Remembrance.”

The committee starting thinking about an overall theme.  One suggestion was “Celebrating the Past – Welcoming the Future!”

And we also set up a subcommittee framework.  During the next month, we will be looking for God’s leaders and members for each subcommittee.  Steven will start working on a website addition to cover the 50^th Anniversary and highlight the history of the church too.  

I don’t usually get too excited over committee meetings, but somehow I found this one exhilarating.

(written Sat. 23 Jan. 2010) I participated in the dedication of the new MBK SAM bus today.   It marks a special accomplishment for the group, but especially for Rev. Baum who has spearheaded the effort, including forming a separate 501(c)3 organization and overseeing the procuring of needed grants from the Office of Aging.   Rev. Baum received recognition from the Chamber of Commerce.    Two sisters from the Catholic churches, and the pastor of the UM church in Bridgeport were also participating as was the mayor of Minoa.   We took lots of pictures, gathered in the church sanctuary for prayers of dedication and presentations, fellowshipped, toured the bus, and took a short ride.    Channel 10 covered the event. (http://news10now.com/cny-news-1013-content/494059/dedication-ceremony-held-for-senior-bus-service)

The main purpose of the bus is to provide transportation to seniors for doctor’s appointments, shopping, etc.  since our area is no longer to be served by city buses.  Without it some residents would have to shell out for substantial cab fares.   I believe it will be a helpful practical ministry in our area.   Service began this past week.  Riders are asked for a small donation for each round trip. 

Over the next several weeks, the bus will visit participating churches on Sunday morning.  It is to visit our church Jan. 31. 

I want to encourage you today on this day of sorrow, prayer and fasting for Haiti.  If you saw the news, you know that Haiti suffered another major aftershock of 5.9.  They definitely need our continued prayers.  Here is a website I found that is reporting some of the news firsthand from Wesleyans in Haiti. http://gpcaribeatlantic.com/

 As you think of the great need there, I encourage you to be at prayer.  The prophet Samuel once said to king Saul of Israel, “Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you” (1 Sa 12:23 NIV).   May we feel that way about our brothers and sisters in Haiti during this time of severe testing.  I encourage you to be involved in the discipline of fasting today or some other time this week too.  Eva’s class has been studying it and she has put a good encouraging word about fasting on her class page on our church website.  I recommend it.  http://www.kirkvillewesleyan.org/sunday-school/97.html.