THOUGHTS FROM OUR SENIOR MINISTER
This past Monday Jada and I had our latest Monday Morning Preacher Livestream discussion. For those that might not be aware, we have turned our Monday Morning Preacher podcast into a livestream discussion covering something from the previous day’s worship service. Currently we are working on having these 30-minute conversation every other Monday afternoon around 3:00 pm. Right now, we are livestreaming these discussions on Facebook. You are able to see past episodes on the church’s Facebook page and on our website. At the end of our discussion yesterday Jada caught me a little off-guard. For no other reason, you should watch the discussion just to see the pastor get stumped at the end.
We were discussing ways to interpret the interaction between Jesus and the Sarmatian woman at the well in the Gospel of John (specifically John 4:16-19). I was making the argument that to merely interpret this interaction as moralistic judgment against this woman is to miss a deeper meaning of John’s Gospel. There is a connection to the calling of the disciple Nathaniel back in John 1:43-51. Jesus’ response to the woman reveals more about Jesus than it does the woman. Jesus knows all and sees all. Jesus is truly “a prophet” (to quote the Samaritan Woman). The goal is not to point out all that is wrong, but to point out that Christ truly sees in you. This calls us to be authentic to who God has created us to be.
At the end of our live podcast Monday, Jada asked how I might connect this interpretation to my sermon on Sunday. After a brief thought, I highlighted that being true to who we are and authentic to who we have been created by God to be is a practical way that we can drink of the eternal live-giving water that Jesus offers to the Samaritan Woman and to us. Having a few days to process the question more, I would like to take moment to expand even more on Jada’s great question and my initial response.
One of the things I did in my sermon on Sunday was play with the theme of wilderness. I commented that the wilderness of our lives can even be a state of our emotions or mind-frames. One might be in a mental wilderness when fatigue and exhaustion set in. Mental wilderness experiences often leave us bitter, complaining, and seeking confrontations in our relationships. I used the illustration of being hangry to highlight this reality. You’ve probably found yourself in such an emotional and mental state throughout your life. Everything seems to set you off and frustrate you. Most of the people you encounter get the brunt of your frustration either through your bitterness or confrontation.
This might be one way in which we can assess if we are lost in the wilderness or truly drinking of the life-giving water Jesus offers to us. If we find ourselves bitter, frustrated, and complaining more often than not, we are probably lost in the wilderness. However, if we are able to be authentic to who we are and not allow the bitterness and frustration of others to bring us down, we are probably taking in those loud gulps of the life-giving water from our Lord and Savior. Where might you place yourself on this continuum right now? Are you bitter, frustrated, and complaining? Or, are you able to be true to yourself and who God has created you to be? I invite you to be authentically you this Lenten Season. I pray we can each live more fully into the lives God has created for us; and I hope that means there is less bitterness, frustration, complaints, and confrontation.
Lenten Peace,
Rev. David Clifford
Your Leadership Teams at Work
“The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one who gets people to do the greatest things” (Ronald Reagan).
When we think of the kind of leadership Reagan describes, Debbie Enyart’s leadership in First Christian Church of Henderson invariably comes to mind. Thanks to her energy and influence, FCCH has a longer list of charitable accomplishments.
While she believes that “everyone should be involved in “something” in the church, she goes the extra mile with that philosophy, creating a remarkable list of achievements.
For the past seven (or possibly eight years), Debbie has served as president of Christian Women’s Fellowship. During that time, the group held an annual bazaar to raise money for charities; participated in the US 60-yard sale. These efforts at fund raising last year resulted in the church contributing $6,250 to the Disciples Mission Fund and local charities such as Father Bradley Center, the Warm Center, Christian Community Outreach, and other community organizations.
Under Debbie’s leadership, CWF also hosts the Lenten luncheons: preparing the food, serving and cleaning up. Also, with her encouragement, CWF members give a day every month to work in food distribution at Christian Community Outreach.
This lady is also an active Elder, serving as the group’s treasurer. Recently, she and Barbara Chaney reorganized the Elders’ Shepherding program and are now working on a relationship project to encourage a deeper relationship among members of the church.
In addition, Debbie participates in the weekly Bible study, the Wednesday prayer group and is an active member of the Ministry Team.
Finally, she has a message for the rest of us. “Get involved. You will be rewarded with great friendships, unending support and the satisfaction of making a difference in people’s lives.
FCCH Ministry Team is looking for a Children and Youth Ministry Volunteer
The newly formed ministry team is looking for an individual, or individuals, who is passionate about program development for young people. Rev. David envisions the youth of our church divided into two groups. The children’s ministry would be for children fifth grade and younger, while the youth ministry would consist of youth between sixth and twelfth grades. The Ministry Team has also had conversations about helping this person connect to the larger denomination and youth programing of First Christian Church in Madisonville, KY.
Are you the one who wants to help the youth of our church grow in their faith and the Ministry Team envision the future of ministry at First Christian Church here in Henderson? How is the Holy Spirit leading you to use our gifts and talents? If you feel led to be a mentor or guide the future for our young disciples, please contact Rev. David or the church office.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor’s Bible Study: Rev. David Clifford’s Bible Study will focus on the Gospel of Matthew. Our next class is Wednesday, March 22 at 6 p.m. Three Acts of Justice, Read Matthew 6:1-18.
CMF Boston Butt tickets are now on sale. Cost is $30. You can see any of the members of CMF for tickets. You can also call the church office. Pick up date is Saturday, April 1.
Baptism Class: Sunday, March 26, at 9:30 a.m.
Senior Saints luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21 at 11:30 a.m. The meal will be provided at a cost of $10 per person. We will be sharing conversation and playing a game.
Deadline for Easter Flower Orders – March 23: Order slips will be in the bulletin or you can contact the church office. You may purchase a Lilly or Hydrangea “in honor of” and/or “in memory of” a loved one. Flowers are $25.
The March Board Meeting has been rescheduled. The new date is March 23 @6:30 p.m. Please mark your calendars.
The Ministry Team meetings are now set up for the last Tuesday of each month. The Team will be meeting again on March 28 at 6:30 p.m.
The Elders have cancelled their March 20 meeting, they will reschedule it sometime in April.
On April 7, Good Friday, FCC will host the Tenebrae service @ 7:00 p.m. This will be a joint service with Community Baptist Church.
Our Easter Dinner and Easter Egg Hunt will be held April 2 which is Palm Sunday. As in years past we are seeking donations of plastic candy-filled eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt. The eggs need to be at the church by March 26.
Community news: Holy Name’s School Books Sale begins Saturday, March 25, 8:00 to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 26 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Congratulations FCCH: Way to Go!
Rev. David Clifford recently received word that First Christian Church of Henderson is one of the top 100 churches nationwide for its stewardship to the 2022 Week of Compassion fund. Week of Compassion is the relief, refugee and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ. The remarkable factor in this achievement is that FCCH’S entire gift to the fund was from individual giving, over and above ongoing gifts to the budget.
The news came via a “thank you” note from Courtney Richards, Communications and Development Manager for the Week of Compassion. The handwritten note said: “Thank you so much for your generosity to Week of Compassion and for your leadership in this ministry of transformation and hope. Your giving this year places FCC among our top 100 giving churches to Week of Compassion. Your leadership and stewardship are gifts to so many.”
