First Christian Church, Flora, Indiana

July, 2010

I want to thank the church for remembering me on the anniversary of my ordination. No way did I think 30 years ago that God would take me on such a path and give me so many blessings. I have served 4 churches and I hope I have made a difference in some people’s lives. Everything I have done in the ministry was a blessing from God. He alone provided me with the tools I needed to “get the job done.” And he has called me to serve some wonderful people, especially those in Flora. I try to keep my life open to the call of God., and I am certainly glad I was open to following Him to Flora. In the past year, we have come to know each other, and realize we all share the love and grace of Jesus Christ in our lives. We continue to look to the future, and the path that God will provide us for ministry, outreach and spirit filled days. I am fortunate to be able to share this ministry with you. May God bless us always!

Pastor Woody

June, 2010

I was 15 years old when our neighbor told me about her grandson who worked at Smith Watkins Hardware store. He was graduating from high school and would be quitting his job in July. She was sure that if I went and talked to the owner, Mr. Moore, he would hire me. So I rode my bike over to the store, talked with Mr. Moore, and before I knew it, I was hired as a stock boy and clerk. For 7 years I worked in that store until I graduated from college, and I learned a lot. The longer I worked there, the more responsibility I was given. But one of the things I remember best was putting together bikes and lawnmowers. I would open the box, lay out all the parts, and gather the tools I needed. I would pore over the instructions until I knew where each and every bolt was to go, even before I turned the first screwdriver. And a few moments later, after following the directions, I had put together a beautiful 3 speed racer, or a 21″ Lawnboy. I looked around, surely someone was smiling at my success, but no, it was only me who was beaming and proud of what I had accomplished.

As time went by, I got better at what I did. I finally got to the point where I didn’t need the instructions any more. Forget about the bolt or two left over. Don’t worry if I had a metal plate that seemed to have no place to go on the bike. I got so fast and so good at what I did, nothing would stand in my way. Then came the tiller box. There were hundreds of pieces. The instructions were folded up and I knew I didn’t need them. I was so confident. I know this would not take long at all.

A couple of hours later, after tightening bolts, and then having to remove them in order to get a piece in the right place, I gave up. I unfolded the piece of paper, those instructions, and read the proper order of how to do the assembly, and what went where and what didn’t go there. It was a humbling experience. I thought I knew it all. But in reality, there is much to learn and it actually helps to use the instructions.

About a year before I graduated from college, Mr. Moore came to me. He had an offer. He was going to be retiring soon and he wanted me to buy the business from him. He would arrange the financing, he would take care of the legal stuff, but he thought I had “read the instructions” enough to take over the hardware store. You of course, know my decision, though often I wonder where I would be and what I would be doing now, if I had not been called by God. That store is no longer there. Wal-Mart and Home Depot forced it to close. And even to this day , I think about the fun experiences I had at Smith Watkins.

Have you read the instructions lately? I have a dozen or so instruction books in my office and at home. They are called Bibles. They give a great set of  guidelines and suggestions as to how a person is to lead their life. Sometimes, I get caught up in thinking I don’t need to listen to that instruction book, and that I can go it alone. How mistaken I am. Open up its pages, and learn. You never know where it will take you.

Pastor Woody

May, 2010

Can you feel the change? Spring is here and summer can’t be very far behind. Look around and you see farmers in the fields, flowers blooming and baseball fields filled with kids. It is the time of year when we are given so many opportunities to do things outdoors, but we need to remember to keep a few hours each week for being inside . . . inside the church on Sunday morning.

I can not imagine a life without the church. It is there that I find strength and affirmation. I am able to seek out answers to questions and am surrounded by people who love the Lord. This past month, the church has been full. With Easter, Holy Humor Sunday, baptisms, and other special events, many have found it hard not to be in church. Now, we enter the time of year when the major holidays are over . . . we slip in to a time of solitude. But, we also worship a Savior who has risen from the grave. Our song, “Every Morning is Easter Morning” says it all! Yes, the “big” days may be over for a while, but our spirit is being fed by the loving God we call Father. I will see you in church on Sunday.

We welcome into our church family 4 persons and I encourage you to meet them, get to know them, and become friends. On April 18, we baptized Molly and Lily and they both felt the love of God, and His spirit in their lives. These two young girls will be nurtured by our church for  many years as they walk the walk of Jesus. Adam transferred his membership to First Christian, and Therinda accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and was baptized on May 2.

We rejoice in the decisions these have made and we encourage them to get to know god even better. The best way we can do that is by being there for them, and sharing our story. God bless all of you as we do that.

Pastor Woody

April, 2010

I ask the question every year. Sometimes the question is directed towards me, but often it is for anyone who will listen: “What does the empty tomb on Easter mean for our life?” We all know it is going to happen. We have read the stories and celebrated the Resurrection every year since we can remember. So does an empty tomb, proof of Jesus’s resurrection, have any relevance to our lives in 2010?

YES, IT DOES! For without an empty tomb, we would not have the reassurance that God is in control, that Jesus has overcome every obstacle set before him, and that it is true: Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World.

Just months ago we celebrated His birth. It was a huge event, if you remember. But Easter is more subdued. We don’t decorate the house, or give gifts, and usually there is not as many gatherings at the church, or at home. But the significance of this day, of Easter, can not be overlooked. It is the best day ever! Easter gives us hope, for if Jesus can overcome death, we can overcome the little things in our lives that are the work of Satan.

I could go on and on with more theological thoughts, but the bottom line is this: It is real! Jesus rose from the grave. He did it for each one of us. And there should be no reason we hold back on the celebration. None, whatsoever. God loves us so much, that he allowed his son to die on a cross, but that was not the end of the story. Look, the tomb is empty. And now our lives are full. I hope each one of you who read this will join us in church on Sunday, as we celebrate the risen Christ.

 Pastor Woody

March, 2010

The news lately has been filled with persons and groups asking for forgiveness. A professional golfer made a public statement about his indiscretions and asked that everyone forgive him and give him another chance after his rehabilitation is finished. A major car company has recalled many of its cars and has made an appeal to the country to forgive them for making the mistakes that resulted in the recalls. On a more “at home” note, husbands and wives have asked each other to forgive them for not celebrating Valentine’s Day to its fullest; students ask their friends to forgive them for saying “this or that”; and parents ask their children to forgive them for yelling as “things got out of control.” Forgiveness, on so many levels, seems to be something we all need.

As we continue through the observance of Lent, forgiveness should be on our minds. This is a time in which we turn to God and in a very personal way ask Him to forgive us for a variety of things. We bow our heads and confess our sins to Him, and pray that he will change our hearts and our actions and help us to get a better focus on what is important in life. The amazing thing, or maybe it is not so amazing, is that God responds to our requests. That’s His nature. We are always on the receiving end of His grace and forgiveness.

On the night that Jesus was betrayed, he broke bread and shared a cup with his best friends, the disciples. He told them that soon, he was going to be arrested, convicted and die. But he also told them that this would not be the end. In just 3 days, he would be resurrected, and new life would enter his body. Plus, he assured us, in those actions and words, that we too could receive the gift of eternal life, that our sins and mistakes would be forgiven, if only we would turn our hearts towards God. He did, in fact, pay the price of sin, for us, so that we would not have to suffer and be unsure of the future beyond this world. That was the supreme gift of forgiveness that anyone could give: their own life.

Is God calling you to be more forgiving? Does he ask you to make sacrifices for His purpose on earth? Even the most simple request of finding an hour each week to gather in Church for worship and praise? Is that too much to ask, remembering that Jesus gave his own life for us? I think it is not too much to ask. Do not wait for Easter to claim the gift. Join your friends and family this Sunday, at Flora First Christian Church. It is a place of love.

Pastor Woody

February 2010

“Charity begins at home.” We have all heard that statement, and in the case of the church, there is no arguing the point. Over the period of a year, First Christian Church pours out its heart to the needs at our back door. During the weeks before Christmas, checks were written  which allowed enough food and gifts to be purchased to help nearly 2 dozen families. Other churches in the area did the same, as well. When it comes time for camp, the church responds to the young people, and offers scholarships so that no youth is denied the camping experience. Other special offerings during the year happen at Easter, Pentecost, and a special offering for reconciliation supports the ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The outpouring and response during our annual Week of Compassion offering observance helps to reinforce the idea that there are people in need, and as God’s children, we will respond.

Week of Compassion is one of the most effective ways that we can funnel our dollars and get those funds directly to those who are in need. Funded by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Week of Compassion uses the gifts of the people and gets those monetary gifts directly to where they are needed with no overhead costs. A few years ago, I spent a week in the community of Lake Charles, LA working on homes that had been destroyed by the hurricanes. Because of gifts to Week of Compassion, we had a place to stay, tools to work with, and thousands of dollars were put to work in providing aid, food, water and shelter for thousands of people in need. That same scenario is played out when there is a flood in Missouri, or a tornado in Kentucky or any kind of natural disasters. Not too long ago, Week of Compassion funds returned to Indiana, to the nearby town of Winamac when flooding forced people from their homes. With their track record and their effective way of meeting needs, Week of Compassion is one of the best places we can send our money.

700 miles off the coast of Florida, there is a tiny nation named Haiti. It is one of the poorest nations in the world. I personally know of several doctors, dentists and Christians who have gone to that small island and offered their time and skills to help children and adults. Now, as we all know, that country is in ruins. The devastation is tremendous, something we can not even imagine. Nearly every day, we are bombarded with the needs of the of Haiti. They have no water, no food, and tent cities replacing neighborhoods. It is hard to watch. It is hard to see people suffer. But we all want to do our part. Some can do more than others. And all that god asks, I believe, is for us to respond in whatever way we can to our brothers and sisters who are in need. We never know when we might find ourselves in a similar situation.

I invite you to pray for the people of Haiti, that they may be comforted because of their great loss. I ask that you lift up those who are working to recover, uncover and repair the the country. And our prayers are with the government of Haiti as they try and regain control of their nation. If you are so moved, consider a gift, to Week of Compassion, the  Red Cross, or any other viable agency that has a proven track record. Charity might begin at home, but it also reaches across the miles to those whom we have never met, who are in need.

Pastor Woody

January, 2010

Have you noticed that even though it is only the middle of January, the days are slowly getting longer? Before we know it, all the snow and cold weather will be a memory and we will be complaining about the hot weather. As humans, we do tend to complain, often times too much.

Think about it though. Some things a really get on our nerves: that person who speeds by us, nearly running us off the road. Or how about when we got to the grocery and it takes forever to check out? I bet several people have in the last 24 hours complained about the price of gasoline. Where does it end?

I’m not sure it ever will end. But I do know this: Our journey though life, though it be difficult, brings us to a Cross and then an empty tomb. We call it Easter, and on that day, the church celebrates the Risen Christ. With a Risen Christ, so many possibilities present themselves, that maybe, just maybe, our complaints will take a back seat to the blessings we receive.

You are invited to come and join the “Easter Journey” at First Christian Church. Every Sunday between now and Easter we will lift up the “good things of life” and give our troubles over to God. It sure beats sitting around complaining about the weather.

Pastor Woody