Sept 15-22, 2021
Rev. Tom Willetts
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DEVOTIONAL
I grew up with Dr. Seuss stories first being read to me and then seeking them out to read for myself. Dr. Seuss reflects the values and attitudes of his time in his stories. Sometimes those values are now seen as insensitive and rude, and they are. A Dr. Seuss story that does endure and reflects this week’s Gospel lesson is “Yertle the Turtle” by Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. Random House, New York, 1958.
Let’s read the Gospel lesson; Mark 9:30-37
Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time
30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.
33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
Jesus is trying to teach the disciples about leadership. He knows that they do not understand what he means when he teaches, lives, and demonstrates that he is the Messiah. Remember, Peter has already declared that Jesus is the Messiah – that is not in doubt. What is misunderstood is, “What does Messiah mean?” Yertle the Turtle can offer some insight. I will summarize the story.
Yertle the turtle was king of the pond. Everyone had everything they needed and was very happy. Yertle decided the kingdom was too small. He wanted to see more. So, he called all the turtles to come to his rock and climb on each other’s backs so he could climb on top and see more. It worked as the loyal turtles gathered and made the stack higher and higher with Yertle on top. Yertle was quite pleased as well because he could see far and wide. All day long the stack got higher and higher.
Yertle was most upset when the moon rose over the horizon and was still higher than he. He demanded more turtles come so he could be higher than the moon. The turtle on the bottom seemed stout and strong, yet as the turtles gathered and the pile grew, the weight increased beyond his strength. He warned of the burden. No one heard as Yertle was screaming for more and more turtles to obey. Finally, the bottom turtle gave a sneeze and all the turtles toppled back into the pond. Yertle took the greatest fall with his face in the mud. “And today the great Yertle, that marvelous he, Is King of the Mud. That is all he can see. And the turtles, of course… all the turtles are free as turtles and, maybe, all creatures should be.”
Jesus as Messiah already has all power, prestige, and privilege. He does not need more from any of us. He is already the FIRST. He is willing to be the very last – the servant of all. He is demonstrating the depth and breadth of God’s love for us by this great reversal. He is willing to sacrifice himself – not for gain and glory – but for our salvation and restoration as disciples (servants) of Jesus. As faithful disciples of Jesus, we have already gained all that is most needful – eternal life. We now encounter the challenge of living our daily lives on earth to share God’s love, mercy and grace with others. Jesus is FIRST – He became the LAST. As disciples of Jesus through faith we are assured of our place in God’s Eternal Kingdom - FIRST PLACE. We must live each day now in LAST PLACE. We must not follow the example of Yertle. We must follow the example of Jesus.
Our lives are more complicated and sophisticated than a turtle pond in a children’s book. That is why we have the Holy Spirit of God to lead us each day. We can pray to God each day. We can read the scriptures and devotional reflections each day to keep our Kingdom vision clear and our ears open to the still small voice of God. These discipleship practices enable us to welcome and respond lovingly to all, even a child, and know that we are welcoming Jesus into our lives.
Blessings, Pastor Tom
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UMCOR DISASTER RESPONSE OPPORTUNITIES
This article is from UNITED METHODIST Insight which details the UMC response to recent natural disasters and world events. Click the links for more information. Please make your checks payable to Good Shepherd UMC with UMCOR in the memo line and we will forward your gifts.
UMCOR Responds to Multiple Crises
Hurricanes, Haiti earthquake, wildfires and Afghanistan turmoil - by Cynthia B. Astle
September 1, 2021
A United Methodist Insight Column
One of the great benefits of the United Methodist connectional system is the reassurance that when things get tough, there's someone -- often many people -- who stand ready to lend a hand. The pinnacle of this connectional support is the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). I thank the Arkansas Conference newsletter for this helpful wrap-up on actions by the General Board of Global Ministries and UMCOR responding to the multiple crises around the world, including the recent earthquake in Haiti and the turmoil playing out in Afghanistan.
“UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, is working to support Haitians who have lost their homes and family members to the deadly earthquake on Aug. 14. Similarly, funds are also being raised to support Afghans and U.S. citizens who are attempting to escape Afghanistan after the recent takeover of the country by the Taliban.
“Additionally, UMCOR’s US Disaster Response and Recovery staff is working to support those affected by the flooding in Tennessee and Western North Carolina, and the rainfall brought by Tropical Storm Henri on the East Coast. Gifts to support these efforts can be sent to UMCOR-US Disaster Response and Recovery, Advance #901670, https://umcmission.org/advance-project/901670/. Checks can be sent to Global Ministries/UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068, with Advance #901670 on the memo line. (Editor's note: Donations to this fund also will be used to help with relief and recovery from Hurricane Ida, especially in Louisiana).
“Individuals who are interested in supporting UMCOR’s response in Afghanistan and Haiti can make gifts online at https://umcmission.org/advance-project/982450/ or by checks sent to Global Ministries/UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068, with Advance #982450 noted on the memo line.
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NEW CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Mon– Thurs 9am – 2:00pm - CLOSED FRIDAYS
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DEDICATION OF
MINISTRY CENTER
SUNDAY, SEPT. 26TH
AT 10AM
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Rev Thom Shaffer, Southwest District Superintendent will preach and the Dedication Ceremony and Ministry Center Open House will follow at 11 A.M. Many guests and supporters of the 5 year work to complete the Ministry Center have been invited. |
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COVID 19 UPDATE
This is copied from the Lee Health Facebook Page.
COVID-19 UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 14, 2021:
As of today, Lee Health has:
- 394 COVID-19 patients isolated in our hospitals (inpatient).
- Of these patients, 8 of them are children being treated at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.
- Yesterday, we had 29 new COVID-19 hospital admissions and 63 COVID-19 discharges.
- 46% of our ventilators and 4% of our ICU rooms are available for use. We have 70 COVID-19 patients on ventilators and 85 in the intensive care unit.
-This morning, census was at 95% of staffed operational bed capacity.
- Since the start of the pandemic, 1,056 patients have lost their lives inside our hospitals to COVID-19, including 7 yesterday.
On August 26 Lee Health reported 657 Covid-19 patients in the hospital. While fewer are hospitalized today the decline is slow and people are still being infected and seeking care. Deaths have increased as those seriously ill do finally succumb, after weeks of invasive treatment to the ravages of Covid 19 on the body. More people died in the U.S. on September 10, 2021 of Covid 19 – 3709 than on September 11, 2001 in the attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Shanksville, PA – 2977.
GET VACCINATED. WEAR A MASK. SOCIAL DISTANCE. WASH HANDS. Vitamins will NOT prevent or cure Covid 19 infection. Ivermectin is for deworming of animals and people. It has not been proven effective as treatment of the Covid-19 VIRUS. Good wishes, ignorance, prayers and kindness will not prevent infection. The virus does not care about our attitude, politics, religious practices or preferences. It is simply seeking to infect people to continue its existence. The Pfizer Vaccine is the safest and most effective preventative step to take against infection. The Pfizer Vaccine is FULLY APPROVED BY THE FDA as SAFE AND EFFECTIVE. It is more studied and safer than any vitamin cocktail, internet advise, home remedy or hospital administered treatment option available.
VACCINATION SITES.
Walgreens, CVS, Walmart and Publix pharmacies offer Covid 19 vaccination by appointment.
Lee County Public Health Department offers Covid 19 vaccination by appointment. Please call 239-461-6100 and select option 4 at the menu. Their office address is; 83 Pondella Road, North Fort Myers, FL 33903.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Sept 15 - Life Line Screening
Sept 16 - Thursdays - Handbell Rehearsal-Worship Center
Sept 18 - 8am AMAZING TREASURERS Pre-Sale-North Building
Sept 19- Membership Sunday-contact Audrey Martin or indicate on your Yellow Let's Connect Card or call the office.
Sept 20- Trustees ZOOM - 2pm
Sept 21 - 10am Caring Mtg-Conf B
Sept 24-10am Alzheimer's Support Group-MC-Room B
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WORKERS NEEDED
THIS SATURDAY MORNING
FOR LARGE ITEM SALE
We need your help.
Please sign-up to help on the sign-up
sheets in the
Chapel Entry
and in the Narthex.
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WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Saturday 4:45 PM - CHAPEL
Sunday 10:00 AM - SANCTUARY
Online - Sunday Morning. YouTube is the easiest platform for our upload. If you don’t find the posting on Facebook, check out YouTube.
Find us at: Facebook.com/goodshepherdumc.org.
OR on YouTube: Good Shepherd UMC NFM. PLEASE press SUBSCRIBE (at no cost or obligation to you) then please share our posts to others we will become easier for others to find.
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COMMUNITY SMALL GROUPS
begin Sunday, Sept 19th.
“THINK LIKE JESUS, What Do I Believe and Why Does It Matter?” by Randy Frazee
Every participant will need to get a copy of the 8 session study book and the leader will use a DVD to inform and guide the discussions.
There are clipboards in the Narthex to sign up to be a Leader/Host
or join a community group. LEADERS: you may pick up your Leaders Book/DVD at the Ministry Center during office hours.
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HANDBELL PLAYERS NEEDED! We plan to start rehearsing again on THURSDAYS at 9am in the handbell room in the Worship Center. If interested, please contact Shannon at shannon.arnold717@gmail.com
CHOIR REHEARSALS WILL RESUME WHEN COVID NUMBERS DECREASE.
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ANNUAL CHARGE CONFERENCE BY ZOOM ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17TH AT 3PM -
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS...
If you would like to receive the ZOOM LINK to attend - please sign up with your name and email address on the clipboards in the Narthex and Chapel entryways.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP AUDIT LETTERS
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Every year each Methodist Church does a membership audit and the results are presented at the Annual Charge Conferences.
This year letters were sent for the second year in a row to:
Arlett Christensen (who has moved - and we received no response to letter for two years.)
Joe & Meg Valentino - letters were sent but no response to letters for two years.
Unless we hear from them their names will be presented at this year's Charge Conference.
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CHECK OUT OUR
WEBPAGE!
www.goodshepherdumc.org
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If at any time you wish to unsubscribe to our weekly e-newsletter
please call us at 239/543-2686.
Good Shepherd United Methodist Church | 239/543-2686
OFFICE HOURS MON-THUR 9-2PM
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