First Christian Church, Flora, Indiana

Where do we go from here? What does the future hold for Flora First Christian Church? What is our plan for the next 10 years? All are good questions I faced in April as I attended an Alban Institute seminar on church planning. I was one of 50 who gathered to talk about planning and the fear of doing so in the church. We did address these questions, and I came away with a desire to find answers here in our church. I will be listening very carefully to what you say, what you don’t say and what dreams you have and pass those alone to those who are in charge of planning. But first, I guess we need to determine if we want to plan at all. Any thoughts?

I am finishing up a series of sermons on the parables of Jesus and soon will be sharing my thoughts on some of the minor prophets and their message to the church today. They have a lot to say to the church, words that come from God. We often overlook these small book in the old testament because, they are small and they are in the old testament. As we explore, we will seek out the advice of our Heavenly Father and His desires for His Church.

On Easter I shared a set of 5 questions with you to ask for your input. I shared those results with you last month and two of the things you indicated you might be interested in are happening now. Come to church a few minutes early this and every Sunday and stop by the TNT classroom for coffee and fellowship. We can gather in the entrance, visit and catch up. No formal plans, just a time of getting together in preparation for worship.

The second event is a men’s fellowship breakfast. Several indicated they would come if a time of fellowship and food was offered, so we will give it a try. If 2 show up, it is a success. It will be June 9th at 7:15 a.m. More details next month. The format will be a 2 minute devotion and the rest of the time for eating and sharing in fellowship. All men of the church are invited.

Finally, I volunteered the men of First Chriustian to assist me in cooking for the mother/daughter banquet on May 10. If you can help, please come to the kitchen on the 10th (Friday) about 3 or when you get home from work. We also need servers, Any and all are welcomed.

Pastor Woody

Wow! What a week! What a glorious celebration on Easter Sunday. I was moved by everything that happened, and know that many of you felt the same way. It is so good to gather for worship and I want to thank all who were involved, whether they read, sang, served or participated in the congregation. Each Sunday I look at the beautiful painting “The First Easter” and in so many ways last Sunday felt like it was the first Easter. Now, though, we must continue the journey and examine our lives, our path and our priorities. Join me, if you will, on that journey.

Sunday, April 7 will be a special event in worship. We will be spending the morning in praise and celebration. Not that we don’t do that usually, but this week, we will concentrate on praise songs, praise scriptures, and a sermon based on some of my favorite comic strips. It’s casual dress, so there is no excuse for anyone not being in worship. I look forward to seeing you, and hope you bring your family.

If you are like me, you can’t wait to get in the garden. I would like to suggest that you plant a “spiritual garden” right now. It doesn’t have to be warm. It may be raining and you don’t have to do much digging. Here is what I invite you to plant.

Plant three rows of peas: peace of mind, peace of heart, peace of soul.

Plant three rows of squash: squash gossip, squash indifference, squash grumbling, squash selfishness.

Plant four rows of lettuce: Lettuce be faithful, lettuce be kind, lettuce be patient, lettuce really love one another.

Plant three rows of turnips: turnip for meetings, turnip for service, turnip to help one another.

Finally, plant some thyme: thyme for each other, thyme for family, thyme for friends, and thyme for God.

Your harvest will be abundant, I promise.

Pastor Woody

Pastor’s column for February, 2013

What’s in a word? That’s the question I will be asking all of us during the season of Lent as I preach a series of sermons entitled, “Jesus said, ‘I am the …… “‘ Each week we will look at something Jesus said that reflects to us who He is and what He means in our lives. It will be an exciting sermon series (I hope each sermon will speak to all of us) and one I am looking forward to sharing with you. A big part of the season of Lent is prayer and I will be emphasizing that as well.

Several years ago I had been in the hospital and under went chemotherapy. I remember getting a note one day that said, “God isn’t through with you yet.” Not only did that note boost my spirits, it reminded me of the fact that so many people were praying for me. With that power of prayer, how could things not get better? They did and from that moment on, I knew what prayer meant in a persons life.

I pray for many things and people. Peace, justice, no hunger, understanding. I pray for healing of the person in the hospital facing uncertain news from the doctor or the parent who feels they are all alone and have no idea what to do with their child, who is only 14, but considers themselves an adult, able to make good decisions all the time. I pray for families that are in deep grief or who have no work. But I also lift up the good things: new babies, good words from doctors, a job or a promotion at work, the acceptance of Christ in a person’s life and so much more. For that reason, I want us to be aware of prayer needs, prayer celebrations, not only for ourselves, but for others. I will emphasize that during Lent, and this Sunday tell you how you can be involved in the ministry of prayer.

For now, let’s get the snow shovels out one last time. Scrape the windshield a few more cold mornings. But look towards the next few months as ones of new growth, new challenge and hopes coming true.

Pastor Woody

What a month November was! And what a month December promises to be. All of us will be busy with holiday activities, but I hope we do not find ourselves too busy to spend time thinking about the birth of our Savior.

So, here is a list of scriptures, one for each day during Advent. I hope you can find the time to read one each day and reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ.

You may click on any scripture to read it in the website “BibleGateway.com” (opens a new browser window or tab).

As you and your family celebrate Christmas this year, Barbara and I give you our appreciation for your love and support. We truly are a church family and we feel it every day in our lives. It is our hope and wish that you and your family have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful new year. Cherish your church family each and every day.

Pastor Woody

What a whirlwind the month of October has been at Flora First Christian Church. The month started out with the dedication of our church photo albums and the start of our 2013 financial campaign. It ended with Youth Sunday and a delicious beef and noodle lunch. In between those two events, we had worship, Sunday School, youth events, CWF, listening groups, First Step Pre-School and many “behind the scenes” acts of ministry. You honored me as your pastor and I was greatly appreciative.

We did have listening groups concerning the resolution passed at the Regional Assembly at the end of September (see Pastor’s Column for October, 2012). The purpose of those meetings was to allow our congregation to come together (44 different members attended at least one session) to talk, listen, pray, suggest and ask questions as to what the resolution means for Flora First Christian Church and our relation to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

The meetings were lively and respectful. Everyone present had an opportunity to share. Many also talked with me, and some with their Flock Elder and their thoughts were passed on to the groups. 10 Elders attended the meetings and 7 members of our Board of Directors were also present.  When all was said and done, there were some clear, at least to me, and possible resolutions as to how we can voice our disapproval and still remain a vibrant, positive congregation that is trying to live according to the word of God.

So what happens next? On November 4 the Elders will meet and continue to discuss this issue. They will be given a report I wrote sumarizing the listening groups’ comments along with a recommendation from me as to where we go from here. I hope that there is good discussion, as the final decision as to what we do is not up to me, but up to the church leadership and members. The Elders will then in turn make a recommendation to the Board of Directors. the Directors may accept the recommendation from the Elders, or reject it, and make their own recommendation to the congregation. There will be a full report to the congregation  regarding their decision. Some will be pleased with what is decided and others will think more could have been done. There will be others still, who think we are doing too much. First and foremost, the decisions to be made in the days ahead will be made by our church leadership. Please pray for them. I trust their wisdom and want you to do so as well.

So when do things slow down? They don’t. In three weeks it will be Thanksgiving. Christmas is less than 8 weeks away. Don’t forget election day next Tuesday. There is much to do and few to do the things that need to be accomplished. As a church family, we work together and we hold each other up in prayer with support and presence. Flora First Christian Church has been here 100 years plus, it will be here for another hundred (unless we get another hail storm!). Praise be to God for it witness and its ministry.

Pastor Woody

I was touched even before the Regional Assembly by a letter I received from Alan Cloar, minister of Pittsboro Christian Church. In that letter, he talked about being the “Family of God” and how that directs us to ask three questions:

• What is it that we value about one another and our congregation?
• How are we called to be with one another?
• What does it mean to be called to pay attention to each other?

Those questions helped me in my prayers prior to the Assembly. I prayed for God’s wisdom, love and grace to overcome anything that might happen in Indianapolis and that the church, both locally and regionally, would become stronger through discussion, listening, and discernment. I prayed that we as a church, would not let this issue of ordination become a reason to no longer be loyal to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) but rather be a springboard to encourage us to understand others views and to stand firm as to what we believe. Rather than retreat, remain and not become divided. My hopes were that we not fight at the assembly, that we “agree to disagree” and to be open to continuing the consideration of what this resolution might mean for the church. I feared the outcome of this vote would in some ways cause people to leave or reject the church, rather than build it up, even in times of disagreement.

That being said, the resolution did pass; and the Region of Indiana, through its Commission on Ministry will no longer use sexual orientation as a basis for denying a person ordination or standing. What this means for our church, for the regional church and for us as individuals will become clear as God’s Spirit moves among us and as we continue this theological, moral and emotional discussion.

I invite you to share with me your thoughts and concerns.

Pastor Woody

September, 2012

We struggle from time to time (probably most of the time!) as we deal with things that are far from our control and over things that are “bad news.” No one likes it. No amount of faith will keep us from having doubts and questions. We even get angry with God for the simple fact that He could do something different if He saw it our way.

It’s those big things that get us mostly. When the person who is a good person, who has lived a life that sacrificial and sound, and who suddenly hears from the doctor that the prognosis is not good. “Why does this happen?” and Why me?” come to mind as questions we ask. We are comforted somewhat by the fact that God will not give us any burden that we can not handle, but at times, couldn’t it just be a little better news?

I have spoken before about Randa, a women I knew 30 years ago who was a faithful Christian and who dedicated herself to serving God in all she did. Randa was a church secretary. She raised her family and served as an elder in her church. She was a great person and she deserved all good things in her life. But there were other plans. Breast cancer was inoperable. She underwent chemotherapy with all the side effects, and everyday was a witness to her faith, never complaining and never thinking about herself. Her concern was for her husband and son and how they were dealing with her illness. Up until the last day of her life, Randa was a beacon of hope for others. She touched my life and I will never forget how she battled a horrible illness and in so many ways was victorious.

Others have touched my life in the same way too. They have taken on the prognosis of an illness or the reality of a lost job or the devastation of a tragedy and faced each and every day as a new opportunity and a new challenge which they will overcome. I hope my faith remains as strong as theirs.

There are so many out there that give us hope. Often, these persons never know what their lives mean to others. But we know. As I look over our prayer concern list and see the dozens of people who are in need of our prayers, I know that their story of strength and faith will win out. God will take care of them, and us, if we have the faith to believe.

Keep those prayers going for those who are suffering. May God bless them, and us, with a bright new day.

Pastor Woody