You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. (Deuteronomy. 6.5)
Discipleship Notes
In These Notes
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+ For Christ’s Sake: (…notes from Pastor Barry)
+ This Sunday in Worship
+ Stewards of the Gospel
+ Take Part in the New Group Study.
+ Pick Up Your Grocery Sack on Sunday, April 29 for “Feed My Sheep” Food Drive.
+ May 1 - Learn More About the Conflict between Jewish and Arab Neighborhoods.
+ Observe National Day of Prayer on May 3.
+ Celebrate Cinco de Mayo on May 6!
+ Mark Your Calendar for the next Waldo Movie Nite -- May 19.
+ Interested in Qualifying for a Discount on Your Auto Insurance? Join the AARP Safe Driver Course.
+ Help a Child Hear.
+ Story Sermons – Join the Fun.
+ Nursery Assistant Needed Immediately.
+ Calling All Cooks.
+ Here is a Service Opportunity.
+ Please Help Keep The Church Calendar Current.
+ The Calendar for April 29-May 6, 2007
+ Want your announcement in Discipleship Notes?
+ WiFi is live in the Keystone Coffeehouse.
For Christ’s Sake…
aComplaintFreeWorld.org… The headline on Monday’s Kansas City Star’s front page read “Send out 4.5 million of these? No Complaints.” The story told of a church in our area where they were challenged to go 21 days without complaining. The pastor challenged the folks and the church responded with a ministry that has now touched seventy eight countries! They added a special web site to promote the ministry: aComplaintFreeWorld.org. As of 2:00 PM on Thursday, April 26, 2007, they have sent out 4,651,960 purple bracelets that help to remind people to not complain or gossip.
It seems that they have touched a nerve. Over 4.6 million people have recognized their bad habit of complaining and gossiping. They list seventy-eight countries to which they have sent bracelets. That’s a lot of complaining and gossiping that we won’t have on the planet in the future! In addition to the internet, sixty-seven newspapers have carried at least one story about the stop complaining challenge. The article in People magazine carried the headline, “Thou Shalt Not Whine.” The web site includes a link where you can watch the coverage The Today Show gave to the effort. Oprah invited people from the church to be on her show.
Just last week I was talking with the director of the Center for Pastoral Excellence in the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, the Rev. Craig Gilliam, Ph.D. Dr. Gilliam told me about how other churches have actually worked out procedures by which they deal with complaints. In Missouri Methodism we have a story about a church that’s dealt with complaints by banning them altogether.
Many of you have shared with me about the time when Pastor Jim Downing, Jr., of Sedalia First UMC, told the story here about announcing from the pulpit that “the complaint office is closed.” As the story goes, at Sedalia First they have identified three types of people: complainers, critics and champions. Complainers just complain. Critics see something they don’t like and then offer some options or suggestions for improvement. Champions see something that needs improving and they get to work, personally championing the project. Pastor Jim stressed that at Sedalia First they are looking for champions.
Would you be surprised to learn that the author of the Gospel According to Matthew quotes Jesus as giving advise on this kind of thing? In The Message Matthew 18.15 goes like this: “If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him – work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend.” That section of Matthew takes its heading from that verse: “Work it out between you.”
What would it be like here if we took all this encouragement to heart?
See you in worship!
PS Remember, my joy is to love you in the Lord so that you are encouraged to lead an active faith in Jesus Christ.
This Sunday in Worship
8:30 and 10 40 AM. The Message is “The Lord Is Your Shepherd.” Scripture is Psalm 23 and John 10.22-30.
Stewards of the Gospel
Approved by the General Conference in 1988, The Native American Ministries Sunday offering drew $363,078 last year. Half of the funds stay in the Annual Conferences to develop local Native American Ministries; the balance is split between scholarships for Native American Seminary students and existing urban ministries.
Take Part in the New Group Study.
Plan to join the new group study titled “Ancient Methods for New Life: Ways God’s Grace Will Work in Your Life” led by Pastor Barry. The class will be in Fellowship Hall from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. through May 20.
Pick Up Your Grocery Sack on Sunday, April 29, for “Feed My Sheep” Food Drive.
Feed My Sheep – John 21:15-17
Broadway Mission/Outreach Team is once again sponsoring a “Fill the Food Pantry” drive to benefit the pantry at Grace United Church that serves local hungry people. We will be passing out grocery sacks on Sunday, April 29 and ask that they be filled with non-perishable food and returned to church on May 6. This year we are joined by Boy Scout Troop 50, who will be doing a neighborhood distribution of grocery sacks and pickup during the same period. Please join us in this wonderful opportunity to respond to the second great Commandment, Love thy neighbor as thyself.
May 1 - Learn More About the Conflict between Jewish and Arab Neighborhoods.
Jewish Israeli Uri Davis of Mosaic Communities, an organization that tries to integrate Jewish and Arab neighborhoods in Israel, will speak at Broadway on Tuesday, May 1, at 7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. The event is open to the public but will be of special interest to United Methodist Women, as Mr. Davis will address the question of apartheid raised by Jimmy Carter and others. The recent issue of New World Outlook gives excellent background. Three extra copies are in the library.
UMW’s mission study for the next two years is Israel-Palestine, and the General Board of Global Ministries urges all United Methodists to become educated about the conflict.
Observe National Day of Prayer on May 3.
You are invited to come and pray for our nation in the sanctuary anytime from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 3rd. A prayer guide for the 56th Annual National Day of Prayer, “America, Unite in Prayer,” will be available for the Church, government, family, education, military and media. For more information, call the office at 816-363-4084.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Fiesta on May 6.
Please plan to stay after church on Sunday, May 6 for a Cinco de Mayo fiesta! The HOPE class will serve enchiladas, tacos, and other yummy dishes in Fellowship Hall. All money raised (by free-will offering) will be used to make our building a more welcoming and relevant place for the neighborhood. Mark your calendars and please join us!
Mark Your Calendar for the Next Waldo Movie Nite -- May 19.
You’re invited to Waldo Movie Nite on Saturday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Everyone’s Hero will be shown for children. For adults, it’s Pay It Forward with Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, and Haley Joel Osment that deals with a mother’s alcoholism, fears of an abusive father and an intriguing assignment from the new social studies teacher. Everyone’s Hero is rated G; Pay It Forward is rated PG13. An informal discussion will follow the showing of Pay It Forward. Admission and popcorn are free. The Keystone Coffeehouse will open at 6:30 p.m. Childcare will be provided at no cost. For more information, contact Mary Lou Grabosch , Jim Marshall or Don James.
Interested in Qualifying for a Discount on Your Auto Insurance?
Join the Safe Driver Course – Shepherd’s Center of KC Central in conjunction with the AARP presents a Spring Safe Driver Course. It will be held at Broadway, Wednesday and Thursday, May 23 and 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with one hour off for lunch. Completing the class makes some eligible for an auto insurance discount. Check your individual carrier for more information. Course fee is $10 and is payable to the AARP. Call Shepherd’s Center at 816-444-1121 to reserve your seat.
Help A Child Hear.
The Kingswood Bridge Builders are collecting discarded hearing aids to benefit the 2,000 children and youth who are outpatients of the Children’s Mercy Hospital Hearing and Speech Clinic. Do you have a discarded hearing aid that you no longer need, but that you’ve hesitated to throw away? Your cast-off one can be recycled to bring a child the wonderful gift of hearing.
Since May is National Better Hearing and Speech Month, it would be helpful if you would bring your discarded hearing aids to the church office in May. Simply put your hearing aid(s) in a plastic bag and enclose your name and address if you would like to have your donation acknowledged. A representative of The Kingswood Bridge Builders will pick up the hearing aids during the week of May 31.
Story Sermons…Join the Fun in doing Young Disciples Moments.
Each Sunday we offer a message during our 8:30 and 10:40 services provided for our children (and even at times enjoyed by our adults).
We are working to expand this ministry in our church family. One of the story sermon presenters is Pam Collins. If you have ever listened to these story sermons they tend to be pretty creative and sometimes even unique ways of seeing the scripture in a way that children (and adults) may relate to. If you have ever thought that the reason that Pam Collins can provide these messages to our children is that she is obviously very creative and a great public speaker – let me let you in on the truth! There is a source behind the sermons…Yes, God and www.sermons4kids.com. I am pleased to report that Pam Collins has very little creativity but is a great copy cat. The secret to any success that you see in Pam Collins delivering these words to the children is: 1) She prays to God to let her speak to the children and allow them to hear his words and 2) 99% of the time her ideas on what to say come from her researching the scriptures for the week at a wonderful resource www.sermons4kids.com. So, please pray about this opportunity to serve. Is helping with story sermons a way that you can serve our children? If so, and if you would like some “mentoring” in this area, Pam Collins is very willing to assist you in surfing the web for great ideas. Contact Pam at pcollins4@kc.rr.com or Pastor Barry at bumc.bfreese@sbcglobal.net with your questions.
Nursery Assistant Needed Immediately.
We need a nursery assistant for Sunday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. If you are willing to give an hour or more on Sunday mornings to enjoy the company of our very young please contact Mary Lou at 913-599-5520 or any member of the Education Ministry. Also, if you know someone looking for a position as an assistant please have them contact Mary Lou or the church office.
We need another person in this position immediately. Our children need you now!
Calling All Cooks (and those who love to eat).
United Methodist Women (UMW) need your favorite recipes for a BUMC Cookbook Supplement to be published later this year. If you want your favorite yummies immortalized in print, provide a copy of your recipe to Sandy McRae or Susanne Jenner. You may also leave it in the UMW drawer in the office. Remember to put your name on it! Thank you.
Here Is a Service Opportunity
You are needed to serve Christ in our office. Working in the office is non-threatening and actually fun. Duties include answering the phone, taking messages, sorting mail, and having the opportunity to see and talk with people you may miss on Sunday. The hours are perfect: 8:30 a.m. – noon or noon – 4:00 p.m. There’s plenty of “down” time, so you can catch upon your reading, do needle work, write notes, work crosswords, or Sudoku.
Gloria can be much more effective in skilled work she needs to perform if she’s relieved of some of her other duties, and that’s where you can help. If you can’t commit to every week, we can schedule you bi-weekly or monthly. Call or e-mail LeAne Story at 913-648-6022 or storykc@aol.com. You’ll be so happy you did!
Please Help Keep The Church Calendar Current.
When you are scheduling a meeting or event at the church, please call or come into the office and check the church calendar first. Recently there have been a few events scheduled and posted (or announced) that were not added to the church calendar. With our cut in staff, the church is no longer open every day and every evening, so it’s especially important to call and check. We staff the building based on the calendar, so if something’s not added there may not be someone here to unlock the building. Also, if Gloria doesn’t know about the scheduled meeting, it isn’t announced in the Sunday bulletin or in these Discipleship Notes. Thank you.
The Calendar for April 29, 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
8:00 A.M. Hosts’ Chapel
The Keystone Coffee House Opens
8:30 A.M. Worship
9:15 A.M. Sunday School
9:30 A.M. Ancient Methods for New Life: Way’s God’s Grace Will Work In Your Life
10:15 A.M. Fellowship and Coffee
10:40 A.M. Worship
4:30 P.M. Youth
Monday, April 30
9:30 A.M. Exercise Class
6:00 P.M. Rachel Circle in Coffeehouse
6:30 P.M. TBA Players
7:00 P.M. Boy Scouts
Cub Scouts
Tuesday, May 1
9:00 A.M. Card Players
7:00 P.M. Jewish Israeli Uri Davis of Mosaic Communities
Wednesday, May 2
7:30 A.M. Inquirers Breakfast at Waid's, 1130 W. 103rd (at State Line Road)
9:00 A.M. Quilters
6:30 P.M. TBA Players
7:00 P.M. Rebekah Circle in Library
7:30 P.M. Chancel Choir
Thursday, May 3
8:30 A.M. National Day of Prayer (8:30 A.M. to 8:30 P.M.)
9:00 A.M. Disciple I
9:30 A.M. Good Shepherd Volunteer Lunch
9:30 A.M. Ruth and Esther Circles in Pathfinders
5:30 P.M. Future Group
6:00 P.M. Heartland Yoga
6:30 P.M. TBA Players
Friday, May 4
4:00 P.M. Rapinai/Howell Wedding Rehearsal
4:30 P.M. UMW Walk for Mission (Brookside)
Saturday, May 5
4:00 P.M. Rapinai/Howell Wedding
Sunday, May 6
8:00 A.M. Hosts’ Chapel
The Keystone Coffee House Opens
8:30 A.M. Worship
9:15 A.M. Sunday School
9:30 A.M. Ancient Methods for New Life: Way’s God’s Grace Will Work In Your Life
10:15 A.M. Fellowship and Coffee
10:40 A.M. Worship
Noon HOPE Class/Cinco de Mayo Lunch
4:30 P.M. Youth
Want Your Announcement In Discipleship Notes?
If you want your announcement in Discipleship Notes please get it to the church office by noon on Wednesday. Note: this is a change from the previous deadline. Paper is fine. Email is faster: bumc@sbcglobal.net.
WiFi is Live in the Keystone Coffeehouse
Wireless internet is available in the Keystone Coffeehouse at no charge.