 We are the church together!Since January 1st we have been focused on the words of Jesus about our Treasure, the state of our Heart in relationship to God and our service in his Name. In March we are Diving Deep into Recalibration! This is an exciting time, but as we know, our church is bigger than the building, the programs, and the history. As the song says “I am the church. You are the church. We are the church together!”
. In Corinthians 12, we read that we are all part of the body of Christ and as we know, if one part of our body does not work right, everything seems to malfunction and nothing gets done. In Paragraph 125 of the UMC Book of Discipline, it says, “All Christians are called through their baptism to this ministry of servant-hood in the world to the glory of God and for human fulfillment.” This is many words which simply say—because of our baptism, we are ministers to the world, so that God will be glorified and everyone will be fulfilled. If we are not working in Christian ministry—which is everything from preaching, serving on committees, plowing snow, singing in the choir, giving of money, to cleaning the bathrooms—God is not being glorified, people are not being nurtured in Christ, and we are not fulfilled in life. It may seem that something is missing in our church. It may seem that something is missing in your life. Maybe we are not sure what it is, but this I know. If all baptized Christians are doing the one thing that God has designed them for, the body will function like a well-oiled machine. For all the saints who have gone before us — We give thanks to God. For all the saints who are working tirelessly to be the church today — We give thanks to God. For all the saints who are learning and growing or maybe not even born yet — We give thanks to God. “I am the church, You are the church. We are the church together!” Rev. Jenni Piatt
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 One Little Step
Happy New Year! IT is a new year and fresh start! Even if we do not admit it, many of us secretly make resolutions. We will do this or not do that. We will improve on something or begin something new. If we do noting else this year, I want to suggest that we all determine we will take one step in this new year. One little step. Not run a race of travel for miles, but one step. Take one step closer to God. How do you take a step closer to God? Which way do you go? What does it look like? It is different for everyone. Each person must decide how that step will be taken. Maybe it will be praying a few minutes a day. Maybe it will be reading a verse from the Bible each day. If you are already doing these things, maybe your step will look more like leading a small group or attending a Bible study that you have not attended before. Whatever your step is and however much time it takes (one minute per day or one hour a day) just take the step. No matter who we are, we all need to take this step. Along with taking a little personal step, I want to encourage you to find a small group and get connected. It is important to have the encouragement and support of people who love and care for you. We currently have three adult Bible Studies: Wed AM, Wed. pm & Thur. am. Check one out! IF you have thought that a Bible Study, Discussion Group, or Prayer Time would be nice to have, but the current times do not work for you, let’s talk! Be bold and find 4-5 people with a similar interest. Be creative and let’s do something on Zoom or at someone’s home. Be flexible and figure out what works for you! Maybe we do a short-term topic discussion, current events conversation, or book study. I pray that God will touch you and your family in this new year. I pray that you will get to know God more.. I pray that our entire church family will be connected to the body in more ways than just Sunday Morning. May you have a blessed new year. Rev. Jenni Piatt  Comfort and Joy!
Christmas is probably a favorite time of year for many of you. It is for me! There is something about the smell of wood in the fireplace, cookies baking, warm cinnamon, and pine that can bring back special memories. There are familiar carols that make us smile as we realize we know the words and can sing along. We see friends and family that we may not see at any other time of the year and we remember how much we love and are loved. We can recall the sound of wrapping paper, shopping and snow crunching under our feet. Our senses seem to come alive during the holiday season and we rest in the familiarity of tradition. This year, it will be much the same. Carols, cookies, Christmas trees, and lights. There will be words read from the Bible that many of us have almost memorized without even realizing it. One Scripture that is read every year comes from Luke 2:8-14 and says, “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sing unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward me.’ “ Read this passage over and over this holiday season. Let the words remind you of the comfort and joy that comes from a relationship with Jesus. Let God speak to you in the comfort of the familiar. It is my prayer that we would also remember that this amazing event—God coming to earth in human flesh—calls us to action. Mary stepped up to the task of Mother, Joseph took Mary and Jesus as his own, the shepherds and wise men went to see and then spread the word, and the angels proclaimed the message of Immanuel! In the comfort and Joy of this season, may we also break out of our comfort zone and proclaim to the world that God is here! Merry Christmas! Rev. Jenni Piatt  I have heard it asked, “Why should I go to church?” That is a good question and there is a good answer. There are other reasons as well, but my top four reasons have to do with God, you, your family, and others.
First, God has done great things for us. He has given us life and hope for the future. The Sunday church service is only one (1) hour. It is not much to give in return for all he has given us. Second, we all have needs and what better place to have our needs met than with family. The Bible ets us know that the church is the family of God and we are there for one another. You are never alone and the church family is where we can best understand that truth. Third, if you have a family with a busy life, Sunday morning may be the only time that you can spend one hour, relaxed and all focused on the same activity. This s a good time to spend together, regardless of age. Church also gives you something to talk about as the week goes on and it can teach you to pray together. Lastly, others have needs and you can help them. The Bible also tells us that we all have things we are good at and things we need help with. If we all pitch in and help with the things we are good at, all the work is easier. We can all do our part. Coming to church is more than an obligation or just something that we do. It is an opportunity to worship God and hear from God. God wants to have a relationship with YOU and wants to meet you in many ways, including church. Come and also connect with others. Be encouraged. Encourage others. Be part of a viable body. Come and join us this Sunday and bring someone with you! Rev. Jenni Piatt  I have heard it asked, “Why should I go to church?” That is a good question and there is a good answer. There are other reasons as well, but my top four reasons have to do with God, you, your family, and others.
First, God has done great things for us. He has given us life and hope for the future. The Sunday church service is only one (1) hour. It is not much to give in return for all he has given us. Second, we all have needs and what better place to have our needs met than with family. The Bible ets us know that the church is the family of God and we are there for one another. You are never alone and the church family is where we can best understand that truth. Third, if you have a family with a busy life, Sunday morning may be the only time that you can spend one hour, relaxed and all focused on the same activity. This s a good time to spend together, regardless of age. Church also gives you something to talk about as the week goes on and it can teach you to pray together. Lastly, others have needs and you can help them. The Bible also tells us that we all have things we are good at and things we need help with. If we all pitch in and help with the things we are good at, all the work is easier. We can all do our part. Coming to church is more than an obligation or just something that we do. It is an opportunity to worship God and hear from God. God wants to have a relationship with YOU and wants to meet you in many ways, including church. Come and also connect with others. Be encouraged. Encourage others. Be part of a viable body. Come and join us this Sunday and bring someone with you! Rev. Jenni Piatt  Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!Once again, it is the time of year when we consider our financial commitment to the Christ First UMC. For some of us, this is just what we do and you will do what you did last year. Others may throw this letter away without reading any further. Still, others may put it in a pile to be lost or discarded at some point in the future. (Please Don’t!) Christ First UMC has had some significant changes in 2022 and 2023 looks exciting! The Finance Team, Staff Pastor-Parish Relations Committee, and the Advisory Council are all working to reduce expenses, right size staffing, increase mission and ministry, and increase income. All of this takes time and effort. All of this takes YOU! Personally, I have five initial goals for the coming year: 1) Continue building our children’s ministry, which has already begun with the addition of two new classes and upgrades to our nursery. 2) Get to know our neighbors and make a difference in their lives. 3) Build our adult ministries and develop small groups for accountability and learning. 4) Continue supporting the conference by paying our shared ministries at 100%. 5) Meet our budget through the generosity of our members and constituents with no more funds drawn from our endowments. All of this takes money. As the leadership and staff of the church work to reduce expenses, we need you to increase income. Everyone can do something and many of us can do more. I am asking you to seriously consider what God is asking you to give to support and grow the ministries of Christ First UMC. Please fill out the pledge card located on the back page of the newsletter and bring it to church on October 9, 2022. If you cannot attend, please return your pledge card to the church office before that date. In Generosity and Gratitude, Rev. Jenni Piatt   Getting Started!
Luke 10:1 tells us, “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go”. This was a great verse for our first Sunday together. Even though it might be a bit daunting to go where we do not know and give up control over what is familiar and comfortable, we can trust that Jesus knows what is best. Now is the time to trust Jesus to lead us “to where he is about it go”. If this is truly what we want to do, it demands a closer look. This is the first verse in chapter 10 and it begins with “After this”. That begs the question: After what? In chapter 9, Jesus sent out the first twelve disciples, feeds the five thousand, heals a demon-possessed boy, is transfigured on the mountain, and predicts his death. The disciples had seen a lot and Peter declared that Jesus was the Messiah. At the end of the chapter, Jesus lets them know that all of this is amazing stuff, but it is not easy. Following Jesus is not comfortable and following must be first priority. He ends with, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God”. Then, “after this”, the seventy-two were sent out. What does this mean for us? First, it is an important reminder that answering the call of God is amazing and exciting, but it is not easy. Second, it requires “all hands-on deck.” There is something for everyone to do. Lastly, it reminds us that once we determine to go where Jesus is about to go, we cannot look back. Our mission is to “Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world”. We are committed to doing this by reaching all people and showing God’s love to them, nurturing them in their growth in relationship to God, and helping them to do their part in ministering God’s love to the world. As we travel on this journey, let us remember to walk together and keep each other in our prayers. Pastor Jenni Piatt  Getting To Know You!
As I sit at my desk and begin to write, I am aware that I do not know you yet. One of the first things that I learned as a speaker is that we need to know our audience. Since I have not had the honor and privilege of meeting you, I am very mindful that each of you is unique and each of you has a story to tell. I look forward to hearing your story and telling you mine. In the words of a great writer, “Ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” (Paul, Ephesians 1:15–23) I am committed to praying Paul’s prayer for you and I ask that you would pray the same for me. We are all in ministry together and we will accomplish the great plan that God has for us, if we work together as the Body of Christ. I look forward to meeting and getting to know each of you! In Christ’s service together, Pastor Jenni Piatt  Agreeing to disagree
As we head into the Lenten season, we realize that it is a time of reflection and repentance. We generally practice these spiritual disciplines as a personal exercise. This year however will bring about many changes for Methodists, and I am going to encourage you to do this work on not only a personal level but also on a communal level as well. I am not writing this to you to increase anxiety or sadness, but rather to keep you informed of what is happening within our denomination globally. What this denomination will look like in the coming year remains in the hands of God. A separation or schism within the people called Methodists will occur. And, this division is not just separating us into two camps but rather into numerous offshoots due to differing doctrinal understandings. In the future, each church, and each church member, will be asked to look into their hearts and make a prayerful decision on what they believe, and on where they want to assemble for worship based on those beliefs. All of this is challenging and even gut-wrenching. As of this writing, we still do not know if General Conference will be able to meet in May due to Covid travel restrictions. United Methodism is a global denomination and General conference is the governing body that will have the ultimate authority to determine the details of how the pending separation will occur. There are many financial decisions to be made about pensions, property, land ownership, past due ministry shares, and so forth. As a result, many questions remain unanswered until this governing body meets. Until that happens, please consider the following: labeling others who disagree with our own personal understanding and interpretation of scripture does not help the healing process. Bitterness and fear is not representative of Christ’s teachings; and insults are damaging. We need to prayerfully be above such worldly tactics during times of conflict. I agree with Rev. Khary Bridgewater, senior program officer at Gatherings of Hope, who wrote: "The church needs to give the world a better example, a better way to have an argument, a different model to respond to. We don't want to have the debate how the world has the debate, and often we do." Disaffiliation and separation is inevitable, however there is hope for a peaceful future where we can find common ground with others and move the work of the Kingdom forward. It is my belief that we can learn from the past on how to model better ways in which to disagree than anger, name calling, denigration or hatred. Our Founder John Wesley coined the phrase “agree to disagree” after a ten-year estrangement from fellow pastor George Whitefield. There is much we can glean from this split within the beginning of the Methodist movement, prior to it becoming a denomination, and how it was eventually resolved. George Whitefield was a student at Pembroke College in Oxford and while there, he was mentored by brothers John and Charles Wesley. He looked to the Wesley’s, especially John, as his spiritual guides and what today we would call accountability partners. Whitefield was a powerful and charismatic preacher. Working as a team together with the Wesley’s, the Methodist movement grew rapidly. Whitefield was a visionary and began preaching to the masses out of doors which moved Methodism from an inward focused small church of respectable Anglican society, to including those who were the “unchurched” - the factory workers, coal miners, bar keepers, prostitutes, farmers… the uneducated and unrefined part of the social fabric of the time. Reluctantly, the Wesley brothers had to follow Whitefield outside of the church walls and into the “field” to preach. Even though John preferred the church setting, he realized the wisdom of Whitefield’s going outside of the brick and mortar and meeting the people where they were most comfortable and likely to respond to the invitation of the Gospel. Most would never darken the doors of the church. There is a famous picture of the diminutive Wesley standing on a tombstone facing an eclectic group of listeners as he preached salvation, grace, and the forgiveness of sin. This was not a comfortable setting for John who preferred his pulpit and congregation inside the church, but he went where the people were and he had to admit the wisdom of Whitefield’s move. Whitefield and the Wesley’s differing gifts and graces complemented each other, and initially they worked together as equals. George Whitefield’s gift was in the power of this preaching, reaching the people on an emotional level, while John Wesley’s was in the methodical way in which he organized the people for continued study. Wesley knew the emotional would fade away and people would then need a firm foundation and solid instruction for continued spiritual growth. New Christians needed a way to stay connected to God and each other. John’s gift of organization allowed leaders of the classes he put in place to raise up new leaders from within the laity. These small groups functioned to hold one another accountable. They also gave instruction on scripture and taught how to dig deeper into the Word of God. Sanctification, grace, and moving on to perfection in love became the hallmark of his legacy. Much as today’s issues within the denomination, a split over theological doctrine and scriptural interpretation and gifted men of faith became estranged. Whitefield and Wesley disagreed on the doctrine of predestination and the role of grace in salvation. And because of their passion on these subjects, a separation into two movements occurred. There was a lot of animosity with each side blaming the other for the separation. The argument spilled over to the people they were trying to lead and mentor as John and George wrote passionately and preached passionately about their differing views. The argument became so vitriolic that rival churches were established on the same street in towns in open competition with each other for members. It became quite messy. But here is where we can learn from these two pillars of the faith and their estrangement as friends and Christians. First, both openly loved the Lord. Also, both recognized the value of each other’s contribution to the Kingdom of God. After ten years of passionate arguing, they put their theological differences into perspective and “agreed to disagree.” Healing took root and friendships that had been strained and perhaps broken were once again strengthened as God’s love became paramount in their lives. Churches that were fractured began to work together for the common goal of making disciples of Jesus Christ. Neither man changed their minds on their theology, they simply found ways to appreciate the strengths found in each other and work together. George Whitefield became ill, and much to the surprise of many, he asked John Wesley to preach his funeral sermon. It was a true show of friendship in spite of their difference in judgment about points of doctrine. It was in Wesley’s 1770 funeral sermon that we get the famous phrase, “agree to disagree.” The following is part of Wesley’s Sermon 53, On the Death of Rev. Mr. George Whitefield: “And, first, let us keep close to the grand scriptural doctrines which he everywhere delivered. There are many doctrines of a less essential nature, with regard to which even the sincere children of God (such is the present weakness of human understanding) are and have been divided for many ages. In these we may think and let think; we may ‘agree to disagree.’ But, meantime, let us hold fast the essentials of ‘the faith which was once delivered to the saints;’ and which this champion of God so strongly insisted on, at all times, and in all places!” Wesley was right, we must not lose our focus on what being a Christian is all about. Friends, throughout the coming storm remember the one who calms the waters will guide us through them. We need to look for, and appreciate, the gifts found in others without malice and with Christian love. Indeed let us “think and let think” and may we “agree to disagree” all the while holding fast to the essentials of ‘the faith which was once delivered to the saints.’ Look for the common ground, work towards the common good, and remember the strength found in respectful dialogue as together we reach towards the goal of helping plant seeds for the next generation of disciples of Jesus Christ. Let it be so… In peace and gentleness, Pastor Sue  The Conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus is a story that will be covered in worship in the near future. It’s a remarkable story of grace, conversion, healing, and much more. Ananias, a disciple of Jesus in the city is sent to Saul, now called Paul to minister to him but… Ananias has misgivings and we read in Acts 9: 13-19:
13 Ananias replied, “Lord, a lot of people have told me about the terrible things this man has done to your followers in Jerusalem. 14 Now the chief priests have given him the power to come here and arrest anyone who worships in your name.” 15 The Lord said to Ananias, “Go! I have chosen him to tell foreigners, kings, and the people of Israel about me. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for worshiping in my name.” 17 Ananias left and went into the house where Saul was staying. Ananias placed his hands on him and said, “Saul, the Lord Jesus has sent me. He is the same one who appeared to you along the road. He wants you to be able to see and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Suddenly something like fish scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see. He got up and was baptized. 19 Then he ate and felt much better. As you know, we have been blessed with the beginning of a Lenten study on the topic of Imagine No Racism (INR). Beginning March 2nd, Ash Wednesday, at 3:30 on Zoom we will be led through this thought provoking and enlightening journey of discovery together. All are welcome, you do not have to be members of Christ First to take this class, it is open to all. Most of these classes are for several churches at a time, Christ First is blessed to have been offered this opportunity for individual sessions. I hope for a good crowd of people to take advantage of this class. We have been pro-active within this monthly publication with articles, suggested readings, and background on the topic to be prepared for the actual work ahead of us. When I read verse 18 of Acts 9 I could not help but wonder, “what are the ‘fish scales’ that are keeping me from seeing clearly on these issues?” Is it the family I grew up in and their world view, my social circles and community background, or perhaps hidden privileges that I was not even aware that I had? Honest self-assessment is needed for the remediation of this sin. This study is about more than just race issues, it also includes gender issues, sexual orientation concerns, and historical background. It is my hope that whatever “scales” we have that cloud our sense of justice and righteousness will fall from our spiritual eyes, allowing us to see as Jesus needs for us to see. May God bless our work. In gentleness and peace, Pastor Sue Hadley |
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March 2023
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