Crosswinds Newsletter
October 14, 2020 I Volume 536
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Today, I want to share a blog post from Bishop Mike Lowry. The post is titled Sacrifice and Service: The Christian Witness During the COVID-19 Pandemic. He wrote it back in April but referenced it last week. It is worth reading.
Bishop Lowry: “In the year a.d. 260, a ‘Pandemic’ swept through the world. It is said that 5, 000 died in one day in Rome. Anyone with resources and means fled from major cities and sought sanctuary in remote locations. Social distancing was practiced long before the term was ever invented. There was no understanding of germ theory or transmission of disease. The term virus would not be employed for roughly another 1700 years. What people did know was that friends and neighbors were dying around them. They knew that no cure existed. They were painfully conscious that safety meant fleeing the sick. If a loved one was ill, you placed food and water near them and left. It was the only safe and sane thing to do.
These so-called Christians would move in and take care of the sick and dying themselves. They did so not only for those in their group or family but for all people, especially the poor and abandoned. In doing so, many of these “Christians” contracted the disease and died. Sacrifice and service were their watchwords.
At the height of the second great epidemic, around a.d. 260, an Easter letter was written by Dionysius chronicling the response of these people called Christians. ‘Most of our brother Christians showed unbounded love and loyalty, never sparing themselves and thinking only of one another. Heedless of danger, they took charge of the sick, attending to their every need and ministering to them in Christ, and with them departed this life serenely happy; for they were infected by others with the disease, drawing on themselves the sickness of their neighbors and cheerfully accepting their pains.
Many, in nursing and curing others, transferred their death to themselves and died in their stead …. The best of our brothers lost their lives in this manner, a number of presbyters, deacons, and laymen winning high commendation so that death in this form, the result of great piety and strong faith, seems in every way the equal of martyrdom.’ (from The Rise of Christianity by Rodney Stark, pg. 82)”
Brady: It is important for us to remember that our primary call in any and every season is to witness to the love of Christ through our own loving actions. Many times, these actions are costly to us. By nature, service and sacrifice always are, but such actions also bring glory to God and this is why the church exists.
Pastor Brady
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Volunteers Needed in the Pumpkin Patch |
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The Pumpkin Patch is officially open to the public through October 31st. It takes many adult and youth volunteers to run the it each year. Working the Pumpkin Patch is fun and can make for a fun family night! This year, we are asking youth to volunteer for at least one shift, preferably two if able. You don't have to have a youth to help, just sign up. Please click on our updated Pumpkin Patch Sign-Up to choose a shift!
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Worship Together October 18th
8:30 AM Traditional
*11 AM Contemporary*
(*please note worship time change)
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Come explore the parables with us in our three week Family Worship series! Gather in the FLC for a life-size, EXTRA LARGE parable story accompanied by family activities, games, and worship! Please note, this is a socially distanced event with designated areas for your family and masks are required for all adults and children over the age of 5 for all on-site events at this time.
The FLC will open at 6:00pm, so feel free to pick a picnic dinner and eat together before service begins!
Registration is required for each week:
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Junior High and Senior High Youth Group meets Wednesday nights 6:30 - 8:00 PM in the FLC. If you have any questions, please email Pastor Brady.
Stay connected in FUMC Midlo Youth Ministries! Follow us on our Youth Facebook page, FUMC Midlo Youth (public). Youth and Youth parents, join our private Facebook Group, FUMC Midlothian Youth (private community). For Remind 101 for Youth, text @7b2dff6 to the number 81010.
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Weekly Discipleship Video
“The Sermon on the Mount”
WEEK 2 – Matthew 5:13-16
"A Christian’s Influence"
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Read Matthew 5: 13-16
1) Thinking of this passage in these terms, I wonder…what you think Jesus means by us being the salt of the earth? I wonder what this says about our mission to the world around us?
2) I wonder…are you actively seeking to be transformed, to be shaped into likeness of Christ…or if you’re just going thru the motions?
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WayPoint is a daily guide to help you grow and expand upon the scriptures we are studying. WayPoints are available at Waypoint and FUMC Facebook.
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New
The Few Family - death of Hallie
Pat Lewis - health issues
Continuous Prayer
Jeline Pegram, Raymond & LaFerne Cuddy, Karen Wilson, Dorothy Wares, George & Dee Culps, Dave Swiedom, Don Lish, Rodger Keyes, John Lowe, Chelsea Peel, God's Garden Preschool
COVID-19 Crisis, All those who have to make important and wise decisions regarding reopening businesses, churches and all other places.
Military
ARMY - Matt Carroll, Tim Kruettner, Harold Barton, Josh Schenck, Austin Lockwood
NAVY - Matthew Price, Andrew Cantrell, Zachary Tucker, Thomas Shirley
AIR FORCE - J.D. Culps, Andrew Miller
MARINES - Collin Johansen, Josh Dunaway, Seth Allen, Bradley Perez, Elizia Delapaa
NATIONAL GUARD - Derek Boots
Remember in Prayer
Our world, our country, our community leaders, all our military troops and first responders around the world, our church, our pastors, the staff, church members, visitors, and Midlothian community
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Dear Church,
Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes, the cards, the phone calls during my time of illness. Our God is amazing and I have almost completely healed with out additional surgery. Again thank you Church for your love and prayers.
Thanks be to God!
Twanna Ford Pitts
Growing Ideas Florist
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Thank You for Your Generosity |
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Thank you for your generosity! We continue to do great ministry as a church because of you and your faithfulness. We encourage you to continue giving to the church's ministry either by mailing in your financial gifts or giving online by clicking on the button below. Every gift helps us do greater things for God's Kingdom!
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Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world! |
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