God Calling
the·ol·o·gy
THēˈäləjē/
Noun – the study of the nature of God
Last Sunday, I did the Missions presentation for the Serve portion of the 2020 Lay Leadership Academy and began with some basic theology. Quite simply, what we know about God helps us understand our role in missions, individually and collectively as the body of Christ. So what do we know from scripture about the nature of God?
 
God calls – The Old Testament is filled with calling stories, but one from the New Testament likely resonates more with us today. “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men,” Jesus said, as he called the first disciples from among ordinary folks like you and me. (Matthew 4:19) Author Bill Easum writes in A Second Resurrection , “… Scriptures record (Jesus) as calling his disciples to ‘follow him’ and learn his ways. He had the disciples hang out with him so they could see how he lived, how he thought and how he related to God and others. In essence they were learning a trade – to be like Jesus.” In Faithful Witnesses: United Methodist Mission Theology, John Nuessle offers this : “ Disciples are called to mission as a life statement of our faith, all belonging to Christ and to each other in community. Discipleship is servanthood, just as Jesus is the servant of the world. We are called not only to be with Jesus, but also to be like Jesus.” If we want to be like Jesus – the one who came to serve, not to be served (Mark 10:45) - we must keep our eyes open always for opportunities to serve, remembering that servants pursue selflessness and value all people.
 
God speaks – Essentially, I believe God speaks to us in three ways, through:
  1. Scripture – “All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
  2. Others – I count many of the Apostle Paul’s writings among my favorite scripture, including: “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe — as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:5-7) During the season of Lent in 2017, I wrote letters to my spiritual giants, the ones who had planted and watered seeds along the path of my life. It is a practice I highly recommend.
  3. Our Service – I’ve shared widely since coming to First United Methodist, the story of how God spoke to me during a simple act of service – cutting grass for a family whose child was close to death – and revealed bigger plans – raising the funds and building a Habitat for Humanity House in memory of that young lady. God may not always speak of bigger plans when we serve, but I believe God always shapes us when we take on the role of servant.
 
So, if we believe God calls and God speaks, here are some questions we should ask ourselves each day in this Lenten season and beyond …
 
  • Am I reading scripture and expecting God to speak?
  • What is God saying to me through those I’ve encountered?
  • Am I making myself available for God to speak through me?
 
We will look at other aspects of God’s nature as it relates to missions in the coming months. May you respond to God’s calling as Isaiah did – “Here am I. Send me!” – in the days to come and always! ~Forrest
Ready to Serve?
For information on the opportunities listed within this newsletter , unless otherwise noted please contact Forrest White ( fwhite@firstumc.org or 863-686-3163). If you're planning to participate, please confirm with Forrest so he may contact you if plans change.
Philip O'Brien Elementary
Philip O’Brien Elementary School Book drive. The school librarian set a goal of raising $10,000 for new books by May 29. Thanks to generosity of First United Methodist members and others, the school is over halfway there! But there are still a lot of empty shelves. Let’s help O’Brien stock the library shelves. Here is the link: click here
New Opportunities to Serve
Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine Mobile Food Pantry – Our friends at LVIM have partnered with Feeding Tampa Bay, the George Jenkins End Hunger Initiative and the United Way to bring this new food distribution ministry to Lakeland. The LVIM Mobile Food Pantry will distribute food on the second and last Tuesday of each month, at no charge to recipients. LVIM asks volunteers to arrive at 10:30 am and stay until 2:30 pm. Food distribution is from Noon-2 pm. Location: 600 West Peachtree Street, Lakeland, 33815. Please let me know if you’re planning to serve. Dates: March 31; April 14 and 28; May 12 and 26; June 9 and 30; July 14 and 28; August 11 and 25; September 8 and 29; October 13 and 27; November 10 and 24; December 8 and 29.
 
Salvation Army – On Saturday, March 21, we will help the Salvation Army with a large sorting project (food and clothing) at their warehouse. Address: 3804 Kathleen Rd Lakeland, 33810. Arrive at 8:50 am. Work until Noon. Drinks and snacks provided.
2020 Short-term Missions
Costa Rica Mission Projects
June 13-20 and December 29, 2020- January 5, 2021
 
Details: The summer mission team will likely do light construction projects and work with children at the preschool who have been referred by social services. Note: We will shift this yearly mission to winter break (December/January) when CRMP does its heavier construction work. Anticipated Cost: $800 plus airfare. Age: Open to anyone age 16 and older. Deadline to pay non-refundable deposit for June team: April 1
 
Haiti
Because of continuing unrest in the country, we have postponed the July 2020 mission team. We are monitoring the situation with our ministry contacts and keeping an eye on travel advisories from the State Department. We will keep you posted on future plans. Please pray for the people of Haiti.
Ongoing Local Mission Opportunities
  • Blood Mobile – Upcoming date: May 3. Additional 2020 dates: July 12, September 6 and November 1
  • Children’s Clothes Closet – Supplies clothing to infants, children and youth in need. Opportunities to help on Mondays and Wednesdays. For additional information, contact Pat Bradford (email here or 863-683-2086).
  • Disaster Recovery – On the third Saturday of each month our members work on homes damaged by Hurricane Irma. There is paperwork to complete at least a week before your first work day.
  • Habitat for Humanity - We are committed to serve monthly in 2020 with our friends at East and Central Pasco Habitat for Humanity in Dade City!!! From January-October, we will serve on the fourth Thursday of the month. In November and December, we’ll serve on the second Thursday. Work days begin at 8:45 am and end at 3 pm. Open to all skill levels and anyone age 16 and older. There is paperwork to complete before your first work day. Find out more by visiting clicking here Here are our work dates for 2020: March 26, April 23, May 28, June 25, July 23, Aug 27, Sept 24, Oct 22, Nov 12 and Dec 10
  • kidsPACK – Join us on the first Wednesday of the month. Setup begins at 9 am. At 4 pm we pack and wrap food for students to take home for the weekend. Substitute drivers needed occasionally to assist with weekly delivery to our assigned schools. Contact: Skip Stevenson (email here). We look forward to seeing you April 1 in the Welcome Center. Please save the remaining date for this school year: May 6
  • Prayer Quilts – Combines the gift of prayer with the gift of hand-tied quilts. Any person in crisis may receive a quilt. New folks always welcome! You need not be a quilter – there are other tasks to be done. For information or to request a quilt contact: Julie Holman 863-397-5439 or Sherry Harter, 863-446-3866
  • Stitches of Love – Crochet and knit prayer shawls for people experiencing difficult situations and baby blankets for the family when an infant is baptized. If you would like to use your gifts of crocheting or knitting or learn these skills, contact Rosie Helms, 863-899-2065 or Margie Brown, 863-640-2552
  • Tuesday Tigers – To join this team, primarily composed of retirees, for home repair and other projects, contact Joe Dionisi (email here)
  • Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE) needs drivers for its Hot Meals and supplemental grocery delivery programs. The meals are delivered on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week (you don’t have to do both days) and the groceries go out once each month. If interested in serving please visit their website (visit here) to complete a volunteer application.
Prayer
Please pray for all of our ministry partners and let me know if a ministry you serve has specific prayer needs.

Here to help – If you feel a calling to use your gifts to serve, but aren’t quite sure where to begin, please let me know. I’ll help you find your place and you might be able to connect other First United servants down the line.
A Final Thought
  “Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy.” ~ Thomas Merton