Who Is My Neighbor (Workcamp 2017 Part 2)

This week we bring you part 2 of “Who Is My Neighbor” from the Senior High Workcamp participants who went to Crossville, TN this year to share the love of Christ.  Here are more testimonies from the youth.

“This week the songs during program spoke to me in a different way. Also, the people I met showed me that I need to work harder to be a strong Christian.” - Spencer Hopt

“I really enjoyed meeting lots of new people. I feel like Christ really moved through the people and everybody on my crew was very social. I have always felt a little disconnected, but now I finally feel like I am connected :) I was really blessed with a great crew and workcamp.”

“I saw God this week in my neighbor. She went through a lot in only the one week we were there but her faith was steadfast.  However, when I truly saw the light of Christ, we were going around the circle talking about each other. I really needed to hear what she said to me and it really touched me. Her faith and her words really inspired me and were exactly what I needed this week.”

“I experienced God’s presence in our evening programs and our Calvary devos. When we would worship God with songs I could relate to a lot of lyrics and I felt as if the Lord was speaking to me and comforting me. At one of the programs we had a candle and we would light it for a prayer to symbolize God has been through the same thing and He will be with us through it all. That touched me because I realized that our God has lived out a tough life on earth and He can relate to us. He knows how tough things can be and He will never leave us alone in these situations. I also saw God in my neighbor because she and her nurse were always so kind to my crew and at the end of the week she would participate in devos and she shared what she had learned about God in her life, which was amazing.” - Tasha Schuckman

“I saw the light when all the hard work felt like no big deal because we were doing it for a good cause and we had a big support system for us. Everyone was so welcoming and accepting all week.”

“I could see the light of Christ through my neighbor. She was the sweetest person and her love for her family, us and God was so strong. She showed me how to love like God.” - Maddie Zook

Deeper Dive Podcast (Romans 9.1-5)

Randy, Debbie, and Isaac explore other passages in Scripture where things don't always turn out as expected and talk a little more about the Paul's desire for Israel in Romans 9.

Listen in your device's podcast app – Apple version here and Android version here or use the desktop-only player below.

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

About the Authors
Randy and Debbie Reese are Co-Directing Pastors at Calvary UMC
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC

Teach Us to Pray (Romans 9.1-5)

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How do we pray for those who have not seen what we’ve seen, tasted what we’ve tasted, or experienced what we’ve experienced? While Paul might not give us a specific form to pray in this week’s text, he does give us an example of the kind of attitude, posture, or mindset to pray from – a posture that mirrors Chirst’s willingness to give up everything he had for others, in order for others to come close to God. Paul talks about this mindset in his letter to the Philippians church:

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
 (Philippians 2.5-11)

As you pray today, position yourself in that mindset/attitude of Jesus and be alert to how that mindset shapes your prayer for others.

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About the Author

Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC

Sunday Worship (Romans 9:1-5)

This week we'll be exploring Romans 9:1-5.  

I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised!  Amen.

Each Sunday you can find the live stream here or watch the archive here. 

A Light to My Path (Romans 9:1-5)

Our text for the coming week is Romans 9:1-5:

I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised!  Amen.

Question for Reflection:

Paul wishes that he could give up everything that is dear to him to bring his brothers and sisters who haven't experienced the fullness of Christ to that fullness. At what times have you felt that way about others?

Who Is My Neighbor? (Workcamp 2017 Part 1)

Our Senior High Youth recently experienced their annual Workcamp, this year going to Crossville, Tennessee.  Because this is always a powerful time for our youth, we wanted you to get it first hand from the youth.  Here is what some of them wrote about their experience at Workcamp as they reached out to those in Crossville.  You’ll want to know that as they talk about their ‘neighbors’ they are referring to the residents of the homes on which they worked.  Some of these are signed and some are anonymous.

“I saw the light of Christ this week in my neighbors. At the beginning of the week, they were sort of quiet and they just let us work without really talking to us. During the week, they started to open up to us and started to tell us about their lives, the house, etc. On Thursday especially we talked for over an hour and I feel like they all saw Christ through us which felt amazing.”

Lexi Showalter   “Michael encouraged me to be very honest/personal during the devotionals. I helped lead, and I was very nervous about doing so. But once I had shared, quite a few people came up to me or wrote in a care card to me that they appreciated me speaking out. There seemed to be a lot of people feeling how I felt, understood what I was talking about, or they just thanked me for bringing the matter to light. (pun intended being that the workcamp theme was light it up). PS, I don’t have a spiritual high this year, but instead a goal. For my last year,  I’m going to make a difference at Calvary. I’m going to be the servant leader who goes out and includes EVERYONE!”

“I saw the light of Christ in many ways this week. The passion and enthusiasm and uplifting spirit of everyone. The love of my crew and leaders and how they loved our neighbor. I also saw the light of Christ in the program and especially the worship songs. The light of Christ was also shown in the ways we were providing and the impact seen from my neighbor Charlie.”

Sydney Beggs  “I saw the light of Christ in my neighbor this week. From the very first day she welcomed our crew with open arms and showed us real southern hospitality. She was constantly telling us how grateful she was to us and even bought us all lunch one day to show her gratitude. She also inspired me with her never-ending faith. She had gone through so many trials in her 88 years of life, yet she still trusted in God and his plan for her. Overall her love and her faith in God shined a bright light in my life and for that I am forever grateful to her.”

To be continued in next week’s Who Is My Neighbor?

About the Author
Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Deeper Dive Podcast (Psalm 86.1-13 part 2)

Randy, Debbie, and Isaac talk about a variety of topics related to Psalm 86. Paul's letters to the Corinthian Church and the question of God's role in temptation make their way into the conversation as well.

Listen in your device's podcast app – Apple version here and Android version here or use the desktop-only player below.

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

About the Authors
Randy and Debbie Reese are Co-Directing Pastors at Calvary UMC
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC

Sunday Worship (Psalm 86:1-13 Part 2)

This week we'll be exploring Psalm 86:1-13 again. 

“Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.”

Each Sunday you can find the live stream here or watch the archive here.

A Light to My Path (Psalm 86:1-13)

Our Scripture for the week ahead is Psalm 86:1-13 again:

“Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.”

QUESTION FOR REFLECTION:

The Psalmist asks God for an “undivided heart.” Given the beginning of the Psalm, how do you think the Psalmist’s heart might have been divided? How has/is your heart (been) divided?

Who Is My Neighbor? (The Good Samaritan Fund)

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Emergencies happen.  When people are living paycheck to paycheck, it doesn’t take much to find oneself in a situation of choosing between food and medicine, paying the rent or paying the power bill, registering a child for school or making sure the water isn’t shut off because the bill hasn’t been paid.

Due to the generosity of Calvary members and friends, we have a Good Samaritan Fund to help with the occasion situations in which people find themselves between the proverbial rock and a hard place. We can’t take on large bills with this fund, but sometimes it’s that $100 payment that throws people’s budget into a tailspin.  The pastors oversee this account and with the help of Amanda Nesby, our Director of Congregational Care, speak with those requesting assistance to determine how we might or might not be able to help.

With so many community agencies in our towns which help with different needs, Amanda is well versed in which agencies might be helpful to the person requesting help.  When those resources have been exhausted, we determine if this is a situation in which our help might help someone get back on their feet.  When appropriate and accepted, we offer financial counseling to help individuals and families come up with a long term plan for financial health.

In addition to the Good Samaritan Fund, we also provide emergency food.  You may have noticed the big box just inside the front doors of the church.  Your donations of nonperishable food and personal supplies help people every week who are unable to purchase all that they need to have.  The box is available anytime the church is open and people can simply help themselves with no questions asked.

We don’t always know the person who calls or stops by, but we know that they are our neighbors and we want to partner with them whenever we can so that they might have what they need.  Thank you for providing funding and food so that this ministry is an ongoing reality.

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About the Author

Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Love Your Neighbor (Psalm 86:1-13)

At first glance, Psalm 86 (both 1-13 and the concluding verses of 14-17) have little to do with our neighbors. The text seems to deal mainly with the solitary inner life of an individual, and the last few verses (14-17) seem to locate the Psalmist’s trouble in other people (mainly his enemies who are also his neighbors). In these kinds of moments with Scripture, I think it’s good to remember larger principles as we read this text. 

First, the principle that our interior life is important and connected to how we love others. Jesus tells us in Luke 6:45 that “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Work on the heart bears fruit outside the heart.

And second, the principle that we (both Israel than and us now) don’t fully realize that the telos (the final or highest goal) of our interior work is the love of God and a love of neighbor. Again, Jesus sums up all of Israel’s history with God when he says “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40). Love of God and love of neighbor go hand in hand and are the fullest expression of an undivided heart. While King David (the writer of Psalm 86) is credited with being “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22), he missed out on the fullness of God’s presence because he chose war and blood over love of neighbor. God kept him from building a permanent temple in Jerusalem because of this disconnect between love of God and love of neighbor (see 1 Chronicles 22:6-10). 

When our interior work finds its telos (the final or highest goal) in love of God and neighbor, we become undivided in our pursuit of Jesus.

About the Author
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC

Deeper Dive Podcast (Psam 86.1-13)

Randy, Debbie, and Isaac talk about other references in the Bible that involve the heart.

Listen in your device's podcast app – Apple version here and Android version here or use the desktop-only player below.

Questions or discussion? Click here to comment.

About the Authors
Randy and Debbie Reese are Co-Directing Pastors at Calvary UMC
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC

Teach Us to Pray (Psalm 86.1-13)

The Psalms are excellent teachers and trainers for prayer. When we pray the Psalms (something more than just a simple reading of the text), we learn how to shape our own extemporaneous  prayer (prayer using our own words in the moment). Take a moment to pray Psalm 86.1-13 today several times. Take care to make these words your words. If you can, find a place to pray Psalm 86.1-13 in your own voice out loud.

“Hear me, LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.
Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.
Hear my prayer, LORD; listen to my cry for mercy.
When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.
Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.
All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name.
For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.
Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.”

About the Author
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC

Sunday Worship (Psalm 86:1-13)

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This week we'll be exploring Psalm 86:1-13. 

“Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.”

Each Sunday you can find the live stream here or watch the archive here.