Compassion

Compassion.  That's one of the components Dr. Daniel spoke about in last Sunday's sermon, "The Call of Christ."  From Mark 7 we read a simple story with a great message about a deaf man whom Jesus healed.  Although the primary mission of Jesus was to announce the coming of God's Kingdom to the world, and to form a new community called the Body of Christ, as a man of compassion, Jesus did everything He could to bring healing and wholeness.  There are three elements we can draw from this episode:  1.  Christ's compassion.  Jesus could never turn away people in need.  We read that the people begged Jesus to touch and heal the deaf man.  2.  Christ's competence.  Not only did Jesus care that people were in need, but He also had the power to help them -- body, soul and spirit.  Jesus brought power into people's lives.  3. Christ's call and commission.  We are called to be agents of compassion!  For reflection and prayer:  Have you experienced a compassionate Christ in your life?  Do you feel like you can go to Him whenever you are in need?  Have you experienced Christ's power to set you free from whatever you are struggling?  How is Christ calling you to a service of compassion to the least, the lowliest and the lost?  How do you think God is calling our/your church to be a Center of Healing and Compassion to our neighbors?

Gene Kelsey, Director of Christian Education

Join us for a great night of education and fun! We're located at the corner of Grand Ave. and 8th St. in West Des Moines.

Passionate Commitment

{You can download Dr. Daniel's sermon notes worksheet by clicking above}

For our Sunday Fall Kick-Off, Dr. Daniel once again brought an inspiring and challenging sermon from John 21:15-19.  It's perhaps a well-known story, but Dr. Daniel brought critical insight as he talked about "Passionate Commitment."  

It's the story where Jesus appears to ask Peter the same question three times (although each one was a little different), "Simon (Peter), do you love me?" We often ace this question, "Yes, God I love you! I LOOOOOVE you God!" That comes pretty easy because it's usually true and it just involves our words. 

In His conversation with Peter, Jesus wanted to know that Peter was passionate about his (Peter's) love for Him (Jesus). But Jesus isn't looking for empty words, or even a warm-fuzzy feeling, he calls Peter to action. 

"Feed my lambs" 

"Tend my flock" 

"Feed my sheep" 

"Follow me"

That's what loving Jesus is about. 

What does it really mean to love God with passion?  It means: to struggle with those who are suffering; to stand with those who are in desperate need; to seek abundant life for those who are lost; to respond to those who are less fortunate; to take risks in faith, with love and with hope; to take up our cross and follow Him; to give sacrificially.  What are some ways you are passionately in love with Christ?  How is God calling you to respond and act in tangible ways because of your passionate love for Christ?

Gene Kelsey, Director of Christian Education
Jen Hibben, Associate Pastor

WDMUMC participates in Meals from the Heartland

{Friday's team packing meals and enjoying the hair nets}

West Des Moines based Meals From the Heartland (MFTH) held its 2012 Hunger Fight at HyVee Hall in Des Moines August 29 – September 1.  The goal for the four-day event was to package 5 MILLION meals – an increase of 25% over last year’s goal.

By the end of final day (Saturday), the goal had been surpassed.  JUST OVER 5.1 MILLION MEALS HAD BEEEN PACKAGED!

Since 2008, MFTH has packaged over 22 MILLLION meals.

{packets}

Each meal packet consists of rice, soy protein, dried vegetables, and vitamins.  When prepared, a packet provides enough nutritional food to feed 6 people.

The meal packets produced are distributed around the world, elsewhere in the United States, and even here in Central Iowa to assist people in need.  Each package, when prepared, supplies enough food to feed six people.  A package costs only $1.20 to make.

A total of 28 people from WDMUMC, each worked a two-hour shift packaging meals at the Hunger Fight on either August 30 or 31.   

{Team 1 on Thursday night}

There was a buzz, and sense of anticipation among the crowd of workers in HyVee Hall.  There was lots of chatter going on as the volunteers worked side-by-side with their friends, relatives, and neighbors.  People seemed to be enjoying themselves. 

It was obvious that everyone assembled there wanted to help MFTH meet their goal for this year’s Hunger Fight event.  Loud cheers arose across the hall as updated meal counts were flashed upon the big screen at the end of the room.  There was certainly a sense of ‘one-ness’ or community present in the assembly.

But, a deeper sense of purpose could also be felt.  People were there that night because they wanted to stretch beyond themselves, and become a part of something much bigger than themselves.  They wanted to stretch and grow, and do something with their hands that could help feed hungry people in need – perhaps someone on the other side of the globe!

{Kevin Daniels seals packets}

As I carefully heat-sealed the meal packets assembled by my team, several questions went through my mind:  Who would eventually be opening and using that food packet?  Where does that person live?   What are that person’s circumstances, and what does the future hold for him or her?  

In the end, it was gratifying to know that my actions were playing a small part in helping to relieve someone else’s suffering. 

Thank God for MFTH, the people who organized the 2012 Hunger Fight, and the thousands of volunteers who came together as one common body over four days to make the event the huge success that it was!

Again, thank you to each of these volunteers who took time out from their busy schedules to help the cause!

Paul Gesell, WMDUMC member

MFTH holds smaller meal packaging events throughout the year.  There is a continuing need for funds to purchase supplies needed to assemble the meals.  Donations are still being sought to help meet the $2,000 pledge that the Mission Committee has made to MFTH on behalf of our church.   You can make checks out to the church, just be sure to note MFTH on the memo line.  Remember that a donation of only $20 will feed 100 people.   

Spiritual Cooties

This week I went to a bar. Not a usual hangout for pastors. I met a friend there to talk about all the stereotypical things that a "Good Christian" does and doesn't do. It's quite the list and this was just two of us brainstorming. A "Good Christian":*

• doesn't go to bars
• doesn't do drugs
• doesn't drink alcohol (or at least doesn't get drunk)
• doesn't have sex before marriage
• doesn't dance
• doesn't swear
• don't have tattoos or piercings
• doesn't listen to secular music 
• doesn't do yoga (or other spiritual practices originating in different cultures or religions)
• doesn't get divorced
• isn't Republican or Democratic (depending on your political leanings)
• doesn't gossip
• doesn't miss a Sunday at Church
• isn't LGBTQ

While many of us adhere to some of these rules for good reason, some Christians have made these things more important than an authentic relationship with God. You break one of these rules, you get spiritual cooties and you're out of the "Good Christian" club. Woe is you. But that's not what Jesus teaches. 

In Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Jesus calls out the Pharisees for playing this same game of spiritual cooties. They are so concerned about man-made rules and rituals that their hearts are disconnected from God. They have so lost touch with their relationship with God that they have to rely on rules to tell them whether or not they're in a right relationship with God. 

Like many things Jesus overturns this idea and reminds those who are listening that our relationship with God is not a matter of rules, it's a matter of the heart. Sure God gives us commandments, Jesus offers us teachings about right and wrong, but screwing those things up doesn't mean you're screwed. In fact our mistakes often become means of grace that put us in just the right position to experience God's transforming mercy and grace. 

Jesus says that in God's sight what "defiles" us, or gives us cooties, is what goes on in our hearts. And while the message is freeing, "we don't have to be slaves to rules anymore!", I get a twinge of dread. Because I know what goes on in my heart and it's not all love, snuggles, rainbows and unicorns. I know that my heart harbors evil, I know that I'm not perfect deep down there. So are we just out of luck? Sure you can try to remove the evil from your own heart, not let it manifest itself in your actions, but it's probably still there. 

I said this on Sunday and I will keep saying it because we often get our job descriptions confused: purifying our hearts, making our hearts holy, is NOT OUR JOB. This can be confusing because we have this idea that we need to get all these things straight before we go to God, but we can't. Sanctification, making us holy, is the work of the Holy Spirit. We cannot do this on our own and God knows that. God in the person of the Holy Spirit hears our prayers, knows our hearts and works within to make us holy. To clear up that evil in our hearts. But it's a life long process and we have to be in it, we have to be praying and asking the Holy Spirit to change our hearts and our minds, to guide us, show us and empower us to be real Christians, not just "Good Christians" in the world today. 

*This list is not meant to represent my views or the views of this church. 

Feel free to comment with your own "dos" and "don'ts"

Pastor Jen 

Pastor Jen can be reached at jhibben@wdmumc.org. She invites your comments and reflections. 

Mits-Wits kick off!

On Sunday the Mits-Wits Adult Sunday School Class held its annual Kick-off Breakfast Picnic at Pearson Park.  It was a super fantastic event.  We had over 40 members in attendance.  It was a covered dish affair with members bring fruit, pastries and breakfast delights.  Dick organized and supervised the on-site cooking.  Mike, Michelle, Ken and Robert prepared fresh scrambled eggs (4 different ways) and hash browns lyonnaise.  Coffee, tea and orange juice was provided. 

After we all ate way too much, Robert and Mariann led us in a short business meeting and a review of upcoming events.  The Program Committee has completed scheduling program for the remainder of 2012.  Programs will start on September 9.  You can find a complete list of programs on the Mits-Wits page on the Church's web site, www.wdmumc.org under Ministries-Christain Education.

We also used this time to wish aloha and safe travels to Bob and Lindia, long time class members, who will be moving to Portland. 

After the picnic a large group of members attended the 11:00 service to hear Pastor Jen's first WDMUMC sermon.  And what a treat it was. 

Anyone who is interested in joining an adult Sunday School class,  feel free to join us in the Wesley Center at 9:50 AM starting September 9.

Mike Plymale, WDMUMC member

What's your Story?

"What's Your Story?" That's the question new Associate Pastor Jen Hibben asked today in her sermon at West Des Moines United Methodist Church. Her message is based on one of her favorite stories in the Bible -- the story of Samuel (1 Samuel 3) -- a story where God speaks to a child. Background for the story is that Samuel's mom, Hannah, had been barren, and she prayed, "Lord, if you will look u

pon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life." And so after Samuel's birth we find him in the house of Eli, where Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. One night after both Eli and Samuel had gone to bed, the Lord called out to Samuel. But in those days hearing from God was not common. And Samuel did not yet know the Lord. So he thought Eli had called him. Because Eli was not used to hearing from the Lord either, he may have thought Samuel just had an active imagination, so sent him back to bed. After the Lord called Samuel for the third time, and Samuel went to Eli again, Eli then realized that it was the Lord who was calling. So Eli told Samuel what he needed to do, teaching him how to respond, using the words, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." Without Eli, Samuel may have missed God's call. When God called the fourth time, Samuel was ready, and responded, as instructed, with the words, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." Today God speaks to us. It's important that we're listening for God to speak. We don't have to be called to be a pastor for God to talk to us and call us. We're all called to be ministers. What ministry is God calling you to? God talks to all of us and has plans for all of us. Sometimes we resist God's message -- we're not always ready to hear. And sometimes we have worries or anxieties about God's call. But the best advice is this: just do what Eli told Samuel to do. Simply respond, "I am here, Lord. Speak, for your servant is listening."

Gene Kelsey, Director of Christian Education