New Years Resolutions

(I Don’t Make No) Resolutions
Apologies to Jagger and Richards
By Larry Linville

I don’t make no resolutions
Please don’t give no contributions
‘cause I try, and a try,
And I try to make them
But I only, yes I only,
I only seem to break them.

When I’m watching on TV
And Dr. Phil lectures me
Saying I must make these vows
To cause actions that arouse
He needs to let me be
No no no Hey hey hey

I guess you now can see
I can quit the parody
You can draw your own conclusions
‘cause I ain’t making resolutions
I won’t try, no I won’t try
So let me just say goodbye
Hey hey hey

Happy New Year!

It's true that I don't make resolutions, but I do set goals.
Over the holiday would be a good time to sit down and draw up a list of goals for 2009.
How about a list of goals that will help you grow spiritually?
Will you set a goal as to attendance?
What about Bible study?
What about participation in projects and activities?
How many people do you know who do not attend a church whom you can invite to attend at Paradise?
Have you reviewed you giving of time and money to the church?

Don't forget the fellowship time on Friday evening at 6:30.

Pastor Larry

Sermon for January 4, 2009

We are starting a 4-week series on persons around the life of Jesus.
Pastor Arlin will preach this Sunday on the questions: "Why Do The Wise Choose Jesus?"
It will be helpful if you read Matthew 2:1-12 before you attend.
Look at the different characters in this story
Herod
The Magi
The scholars

This is the perfect question to ask on the first Sunday of the new year.
Since it is the first Sunday, we will celebrate Holy Communion.

Bring a friend and come to draw closer to God.

Year out -- year in.

We will soon be turning the page into 2009. You'll have to remember the new date on checks and other official papers. It doesn't seem possible that we've already zipped through 2008!

Here is one truth: you can't have a perfect attendance at worship for 2009 unless you are in worship this coming Sunday.

That would be a great way to start the new year.
In fact, you can practice by attending our Friday night feast and fun time on Jan. 2nd at 6:30. Looks (so far) like the weather will be OK and it will be good to get out of the house.

Remember -- things will be fine in 2009!

Sermon for Dec. 28, 2008

This coming Sunday pastor Arlin is going to share God's message in a sermon titled: "How Do You See Jesus Today?" Read Luke 2:21-40 and you will have a background to the sermon. This will make you better prepared to receive a message. He will be looking at the response to Jesus by a couple of senior citizens --Simeon and Anna.

(note from pastor Larry: I have seen the sermon and you are going to really be fed!)

Pastor Arlin will lead us from Christmas into the new year. If you recall, the flyer we printed to announce our Christmas events also promoted our sermons for after Christmas. He says:

"(we) have planned our post-Christmas sermons with two things in mind -- to help the non-churched see the importance of becoming faithful worshipers, and to help you who are already faithful grown in your faith and perfect your Christian discipleship."

So now, your pastor's have made preparation and they invite you to join them. Who do you know that needs an invitation to attend services now that Christmas is over? Why not invite them?

Christmas Day

That number 109 has to go!
We came close at the children's pageant.
Christmas Eve was 104.
If we don't make it before Easter, we must make every effort to hit that mark.
Are you ready?

Candle light services were great!
Thanks to Pastor Arlin for taking the lead and doing a lot of hard work behind the scenes.
Thanks to those who provided special music.
Thanks to everyone who attended and to those who brought a guest.

We started out cold, but the warmth of the special night helped thaw us out.

May you all have a very Merry Christmas.
Hopefully, all the preparation we did has made Christmas more meaningful for you this year.

A Child's Christmas Prayer

Pastor Larry wrote this poem for the Christmas Eve service and we share it now with you.

A Child’s Christmas Prayer
By Larry Linville

Dear Jesus,
I’m just a little kid.
I’m not so old you know
but I just keep wonderin’
how your star has such a glow.
You could have stayed in heaven
but you came down to this earth
and made the greatest sacrifice
though I have no special worth.

When you had a birthday party
each and every year
did you know I’d celebrate it
as I sing Christmas songs right here?
Did you get many presents
besides frankincense and gold
and did you have a happy toy
you could just sit and hold?

I wish I could have been there
with shepherds and their sheep
to look upon your sweet face
as you laid there fast asleep.
But since I could not be there
I just ask and pray
that you will be here with me
on this special Christmas Day!
Amen

© Copyright 2008 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Christmas is coming

The extreme cold did not keep us from having a great crowd yesterday.
We had a great time with a beautiful violin duet by John and Anna Wallace.

Now we turn our thoughts to Christmas Eve.
We will have our candlelight service at 7 p.m.
The service will feature much carol singing with the stories behind the carols.
The sanctuary will be beautiful and the crowd will be excited.
We will draw close to Jesus on the evening before his birth, but we expect that Jesus will be born in our heart in a very special way.

We don't know what the weather is going to do, but let's pray that there will be just the right amount of snow on the ground to make it look more like Christmas.

We will end the service with each lighting a candle and singing "Silent Night."
Then we will move to a time of fellowship.

Bring family and friends and let's have a wonderful Candlelight service.

Remembering our Jewish Friends

While we are in the midst of preparing for Christmas, our Jewish brothers and sisters are preparing for Hannukah. I was thinking of a very dear Jewish friend when I wrote the following poem:

Happy Hannukah
By Larry Linville

Happy Hannukah, my friend
my best wishes I send
as this year nears the end
an open hand I extend.
I observe Jesus’ birth
when he was born on this earth
but you, the feast of lights
and those special eight nights.
He likely found so much cheer
with Hannukah each year
and he may have shed a tear
as this story was told with cheer.
Victory of the Maccabees
remembered with the greatest ease
worshipped from his bended knees
as the picture he vividly sees.
You and I, my Jewish friend,
celebrate miracles in the end
and peaceful messages we send
as in love our hearts we blend.

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Service for December 21st

Mary was a very young girl, a nobody, when she received this message that she was going to bear God's son. Can you imagine?! She accepted that challenge. Because of her decision to serve God she has given us several gifts.

On Sunday, Pastor Larry will look at some of these gifts that Mary gave us. We will base this on the scripture from Luke 1:26-38. Take time to read it before Sunday. Be in prayer that you will be able to receive these gifts. These gifts are more valuable than any gift you will receive this Christmas.

As always, this is a perfect time to invite someone to attend with you.

It might be good to pray for decent weather as well.

Service for December 21st

Another Devotional

The Tone Deaf Caroler
By Larry Linville

He loved music
Especially Christmas carols.
When the church went to sing
he exuberantly joined right in
standing next to the door
the elderly heard his loud voice
above all the others in the group.
The leader moved him at the next stop
and had him in the middle of the choir
but his loudness caused the others to move away.
He found himself at the back next time
he could hardly see the door
but this didn’t stop him
and his volume button was turned up
nearly as high as it could go.
Every stop he was moved around
by his disgruntled choir
not only was he singing loud
but as far off tune as possible
yet the smile on his face
glowed like the Christmas star
as his joy of the season
overflowed.
And even though
he never found the tune
he expressed his Joy To The World
better than the trained voices
who were always on perfect pitch
with their faces very flat.

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Mission Opportunity for December

Is your Christmas shopping COMPLETE?
Did you pay with cash or CHEX?
Has your gift giving filled your life with a lot of KIX?
Do you enjoy doing good TRIX?
Get a SMART START
by bringing a box or two of cereal
for our Mission Opportunity table for December.
It should give your heart a TOTAL joy.

WHAT A DAY!

The children did great!
All that talent!
All that innocence!
Thanks to all the leaders.
My Christmas takes on new meaning.
Everyone who was there was surely blessed.

Coming up this week:

9 am Tuesday - Prayer group
6:15 pm Wednesday - WOW and Ukes
6:30 pm Thursday - Church Council

Don't forget the Christmas Eve Candlelight service is at 7 pm on Dec. 24

Pageant will display much talent

OK, Sunday December 14th at 11 am at Paradise is the big Children's pageant.
This is going to be a great combination of hard work, talent and music.
We will have our children singing,
playing violins, ukeleles, piano.
What is more emotionally moving that watching children present a program?
We have so much great talent which makes it even greater.
We should have a big crowd...
the weather should be great
grantparents will want to be there to what their grandchildren
neighbors will want to watch the neighbor children.
Is there someone you forgot to invite? Give them a call.

What a blessing awaits us all!

Devotional Poem

Why Not Happy Holidays?
By Larry Linville

In days when I was being raised
I felt that God was truly praised
even when we said in a voice so gay
“Have a happy holiday!”

But in our day the word police
have tried to smear this phrase with grease.
They want us to feel you’re an atheist
if you don’t use words on their special list.

Christmas is not just the words we say
but the actions we perform each day.
You can say Xmas and be very giving
and say Christmas and be evil living.

Yuletide should not be an exclusive season.
Respecting others is a very good reason
to widen your greetings to those who say
their generosity in another way.

Happy Hanukah said to Jewish friends
brings good feelings that never ends.
Happy Holidays will cover this too
so you are blessed while blessing a Jew

Happy Holidays at this winter time
should not be thought of as a crime.
It includes Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day
and the other greetings you don’t know how to say..

Can I possibly deny my Jesus and Lord
by spreading peace and love in a word?
Those who complain help bring to an end
the peace on earth and good will to men.

So this year let’s please don’t use Jesus to fight
about words we use on Christmas night.
Let our greetings be more by the actions we take
and allow his love to make us fully awake..

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Devotional Poem

The Christmas Fridge
By Larry Linville

Our tree is standing with its lights aglow
while outside are some falling flakes of snow.
Our souls filled with thoughts of a white Christmas
bringing peace to the hectic pace with us.

Stockings are hung by the chimney with care
as the crèche gives the mantle a great flair.
The ribbons and pine cones and mistletoe
give our little house such a special glow.

But there is a special decoration
in a very different location.
The fridge is there to hold all of our food
but now holds pictures and sets a new mood.

Pictures of family and friends hang there
which came in our cards from people who care.
So each time I go to get food to eat
I am greeted with this great Christmas treat.

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Did They Do What They Detested?

Did They Do What They Detested?
By Larry Linville

“Don’t take Christ out of Christmas,” they shout
while they spend their spare time going out
to try to find all the bargains and the sales
and their love of possession prevails.

They’d go to worship if they had time
but they’re counting each nickel and dime.
They should read the story from God’s Word
but wild parties are much more preferred.

They’ve cookies and candy to prepare
but they can’t squeeze in time for their prayer.
They spend hours decorating the house
and the stress makes them yell at their spouse.

They get Santa’s picture with their kids
and they update all their eBay bids.
Wrapping presents well into the night
but they stop to arrange their plane flight.

Does it ever sink into their heads
when they finally rest on their beds
that Christ was not in their Christmas plans?
They crowded Him out with their own hands.

Here Come the Children!

The Children's Christmas Pageant will be this coming Sunday, December 14th. This will be such a GREAT TREAT! They will perform "Double Take." It is the Christmas story told through Matthew and Luke with mystery, humor and awe.

We have the greatest Children in the world! Remember how they did at VBS? They give us a mixture of talent, innocense and just plain cuteness.

Our attendance the last two weeks have been 60 or more and there's not reason to believe that the attendance this Sunday can't far exceed that. Here's how we do that:
Be sure all relatives are invited.
Invite anyone you know who does not attend Church.
Pray that the weather is great.

Both pastors have encouraged you to prepare yourself during Advent so that you Christmas will be a big blessing. The Pageant gives us a giant step in this direction.

The Night that Music Died

The Night that Music Died
Larry Linville

The choir had practiced many weeks
for the program on Christmas Eve.
The congregation all gathered
for a great blessing to receive.
Just before the service started
a mean virus began to spread
to the entire choir membership
and settled in their throat and head.
With headaches and laryngitis
they all wondered how they would sing.
Just then the church bell fell apart
and there was no way it could ring.
When the Church organ was turned on
several sparks began to fly.
Some screechy noises then were made
which caused he director to cry.
The pastor stood and said a prayer
asking God to take the lead.
In a desperate voice he prayed
and soon he had started to plead.
They didn’t know just what it was,
a light shone very, very bright.
None could find words describe it,
it was a mysterious sight.
As the choir began the program
their voices became very clear.
As the choir director listened
She couldn’t hold back a big tear.
Without the organ music
and singers who were hoarse
the music was so beautiful
like it was from another source.
t was like an angel chorus,
a sound which they’d never heard.
It lifted up in harmony
the “Good News” message of God’s word.

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Worship for December 7, 2008

Let's look at the events of this Sunday and then we'll end with a devotional poem.

Sunday is the second Sunday in Advent. We will light the advent candles and celebrate Holy Communion and hear a sermon from Pastor Larry titled: "I Am A Mess." Read Mark 1:1-8 and bring a friend with you to worship. Christmas becomes more meaningful the more we attend the Advent activities.

Now for the Poem:

Priceless Christmas
By Larry Linville

Christmas was coming, our son was two
My schooling I still had to pursue
Church salary allowed us to subsist
Without money for a Christmas list
We opened a Christmas card and then
We saw that it contained a ten.
Our son looked for cheap little things
The kind that good old Santa Claus brings
Secretly, the one gift that he chose
Was purchased right under his nose
It was lovingly wrapped and put away
Until that happy Christmas day
Our poster board crèche in the window stood
Because we couldn’t afford one of wood
The other decorations around
Were from Christmas cards with colors so loud
When the Church Christmas program was done
Some members came to our house on the run
And brought the lovely church Christmas tree
And set it up for my family and me
When Christmas morning came that year
Our lives enjoyed the greatest cheer
Under that Christmas tree one gift was there
All our son could do was sit and stare
Santa had been there through the night
And left his gift and it was just right
It was like the one he saw at the store
So quickly the paper wrapping he tore
And took that gift and started to play
While my wife and I could only pray
And thank God for those who had cared
And gently with us their Christmas shared
As years passed and our family grew
My church salary increased too
Decorations increased in size
As the pile of gifts began to rise
But of all the Christmases we’ve had
Nothing has made us as nearly glad
As that present under that given tree
If you’d been there, I know you’d agree

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Announcement and Devotional

Before we get to the devotional poem today, let's not forget that tonight (Thursday) is the Bazaar at Paradise. Things will kick off at 4 p.m. with lots of nice crafts for you to purchase. We chili dogs to eat. The 5th grade Smithville choir will sing at 6 pm and we'll have plenty of time to talk and laugh. Sounds like Paradise is the place to be.

Now let's look at a poem for your spiritual benefit:

Poster Board Nativity
by Larry Linville

Married just a few months
Christmas drawing near
Student pastor’s salary
Finances were austere
Decorations out of reach
We could cut a cedar tree
But a barren evergreen
Was not a sight to see
A pattern in a hobby book
For a wooden nativity
Gave me a big idea
Of a project nearly free
A piece of poster board
Just plain white will do
We cut out the silhouette
Of Joseph and Mary, too
The manger scene was soon cut out
And scotch taped to the glass
Of our big picture window
For everyone who’d pass
Pull the shade and set a lamp
To outline this event
Mary and husband Joseph
And the baby who was sent
To all the lowly of the earth
To the rich and to the poor
And this handmade project
Became a priceless décor
When school was over
And income finally grew
This homemade simple scene
Was there for all to view
Although we had bright lights
And decorations galore
It was a yearly reminder
Of those precious years before

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Another Devotional

A Homeless Christmas
By Larry Linville

Where do you hang your stocking
in your little cardboard home
which you have insulated
with some discarded foam?

Even if you had a chance
and it was given you for free
where underneath your bridge
would you put your Christmas tree?

How does it feel to hold your
“will work for food” sign
as most people drive by
to go home where they dine?

Do you wonder at the people
and think it is so odd
they ignore your desperation
while arguing about God?

Do you know you’re like Jesus
and he was just like you?
There is no room in the inn
so he was homeless too.

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

Another Devotional

Every family was given a little red booklet with poems to use as devotions for Advent. Pastor Larry has gone through other poems he has and will add them from time to time because there are not enough poems for the full Advent season. Here is the first:

Mary’s Challenge from Gabriel
By Larry Linville

Gabriel told Mary she would have a boy
for her and everyone as a source of joy.
Can you imagine how shocked she became
pledged to Joseph but not sharing his name?

Did she have the choice to say “no” to her God?
The angel didn’t ask – which seems very odd.
Instead she accepted it with all of her heart
not knowing what it would take to play her part.

She visited Elizabeth to see
if she was with child as he said she’d be.
Liz was with child like Mary had been told
which strengthened her faith and made her more bold.

With this new faith she followed God each day
and obeyed God’s instructions all the way,
not knowing all the trials she’d endure
but feeling all the time she was secure.

That faith led her through the short days ahead
and stayed with her after her son was dead.
But it also led her through the dark skies
outside that grave from which he did arise.

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

On Sunday we set out on the Advent journey. Pastor Arlin helped us see "the rest of the story" and urged us to prepare. We had a wonderful pot luck dinner and probably all ate more than we should. We decorated the church as the children and youth prepared for the pageant on the 14th. We prepared.

Pastor Arlin told us that to be prepared, it would be helpful to be at all the events we have planned at the church. That means you will want to be at the Bazaar on Thursday and hear the wonderful voices from the fifth grade class from Smithville school.

You will also want to prepare with devotional reading. Pastor Larry hopes you will be helped in this by reading the poems from the booklet he made available. If you weren't there on Sunday or you walked off and forget the booklet, we still have some available this week.

On December 7th, Pastor Larry will lead us to look at God's message and those God chooses to deliver it. The Sermon will be: "I Am A Mess..." Read Mark 1:1-8 in order to prepare yourself to receive the message. As yourself: "what messages are delivered to us today"? Think of the negative and untrue messages. Think of the "commercials". Think also of the positive messages we hear. Where do they come from? What makes the difference between a positive and negative message? How can we tell which messages come from God?

Rememer, now is the best time to invite those friends and family to worship with us. Those who do not attend worship. We have flyers at the church. Please us them to give to those you invite.

Get Ready For Advent

Special holidays always mess up our inner calendar and it may have felt like Thanksgiving was a Sunday. Do a "reset" and realize that tomorrow is Sunday. It is not only Sunday but it is the first Sunday in Advent. We talked about it a few days ago but we need to be reminded.

The Sermon will get us started preparing for Christmas with a look at the coming of Jesus.

Get your food prepared so that you will be able to get it together for the pot luck after worship. One of the best ways we seem to have to "celebrate" is with food. We'll eat and then we will work. We will be decorating the church and the children will be practicing for their pageant.

Oh, by the way, today would be a good day to call up that friend you invited (you did invite someone didn't you?) to remind them what time the services are.

Did you forget to take a "flyer" with you last Sunday? Grab several this week and put them into use.

Let's have an exciting Advent because an exciting, full Advent will lead to an exciting Christmas.

Thanksgiving Day Prayer
By Larry Linville

Take a few moments this thanksgiving day
To pray to God in a different way
When you think of the problems you’ve endured
Remember, as well, the good you’ve secured
When your kinfolks gather round the table
Pray for those whose families are unstable
As you see the love your family has shone
Pray for all those who are eating alone
As you see the clothing everyone chose
Pray for those who do not have many clothes
When you’ve eaten plenty and want to shout
Pray for all those who are doing without
When you relax in front of the TV
Pray for workers who protect you and me
Firemen and cops and the soldiers at war
Pray that they soon will be back on our shore
May God fill the void of that empty space
And give them an extra serving of grace
If this was your prayer when you are at rest
I know that you’ve felt how much you’ve been blessed

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

My Unfree Dr Pepper

I didn't get my coupon for the free Dr Pepper because the internet was not working.
Now I guess I'm not a Pepper.

I don't drink a lot of pop. (my kids went to college and learned to call it "soda")
I have it once in a while but I mostly drink a couple of cups of coffee and lots of water.
But I do like a Diet Dr Pepper once in a while. (And I never ran for vice president).

I received the news that Dr Pepper was given a coupon for a free soft drink
if I logged in to their site on Sunday.
Well, that was not true .
I tried several times during the day and I could not get through.
I watched the evening news and the local TV station was not able.
I logged in again about 11 pm when everyone else should have been in bed.
No Luck!
On Monday morning I check in and was excited because they had extended the offer
until 5 pm (my time) that evening.
Again, no luck!

After 5 pm I checked in again and they didn't extend the offer
even though I still couldn't get registered.
I don't know if I can drink their product again in good faith.

Then I began to think as a preacher.
Sometimes I do that well.
I am thankful that God's grace is not that difficult to receive.
Sometimes our churches seem to make it that hard but God doesn't.
I'm so thankful God doesn't take advice from Dr Pepper!

Pastor Larry

Advent Season is Coming

Sunday, November 30th is the first Sunday in Advent. Is it possible?

It will be a BIG day at Paradise UMC.
Pastor Arlin will be starting our Advent series of sermons with a sermon titled, "The Rest Of The Story." The text is Mark 13:24-28;32,33.

Following worship we will feast on a pot luck dinner and you know that will be great!

After the dinner the church will join in the "Hanging of the Greens" decorating the church.
The children will be practicing for the Pageant which they will present on Dec. 14.

One of the greatest secrets of having a great Christmas is to take in all the activities of Advent.
Plan on being present and invite someone to join you.

Share the news

When you arrive on Sunday morning, you will have the opportunity to pick up a few flyers about the activities for December. This one page sheet tells of all the special happenings during the Advent season.

You need to be thinking about persons you know who do not attend a church. It might be someone you work with, socialize with, or it may even be family. If such persons are invited to worship at Christmas time, 83% of them will say "yes."

Make of list of several persons you know with whom you could share one of these flyers. Think of bulletin boards where you could place one. Think of persons you could to whom you could mail one.

When you know how many you need, you will know how many to take with you Sunday.

Let's not keep Paradise a secret!

Sheep And Goats

On Sunday we will bring this series on the parables of Jesus in Matthew by looking at Matthew 25:31-46. The sermon will be "The Least of These." Jesus separates the sheep and goats and told them they did -- or did not -- help him as they did or did not help others. We will not use this to talk about a great big last judgment, but rather about how to deepen our spiritual life by including the outreach to those in need.

Please read the scripture several times this week.
Read it as if you are one of the sheep.
Read it again as a goat.
Read it as one who was hungry, or thirsty, etc.

Be sure to invite someone to attend the service and enjoy our time together.

Christmas Pageant - Dec. 14

One of the best ways to prepare oneself for Christmas is to attend a Christmas Pageant put on by the youngsters of a church. You will have that opportunity on December 14th during the 11 a.m. worship service.

If you'd like to get even more out of it, you can assist with the preparation for the pageant.
There will be practices at Nov. 30th immediately after the fellowship dinner
and on Dec. 7th after worship.
If a third one is needed, it will be on Dec. 10th between 6:15-7:30.

All parents who wish to have your children in the pageant should contact Amy Wallce: cjwamy@hotmail.com 8816.699.0668.

The pageant is titled "Double Take - A Christmas Pageant as Told by Matthew and Luke."

Begin telling family and friends that this is a highlight of the Advent season.

Bluegrass Music Anyone?

Lindley Creek Bluegrass is appearing on November 15th
at Gospel Music Heritage
Edgerton, MO
7:00 p.m.

This appears to be a young family from South Missouri and they seem to be very good.

What Are You Doing With Your Talent?

Last week Pastor Larry talked with us from the parable of the wise and foolish bridesmaids. We concluded that we need to be alert .... be awake...be prepared.

This week Pastor Arlin will reach into the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). He will help us examine the talents we have and how we can use them to "enhance the lives of others." He will help us see that the more we use our talents, the more we also benefit. You will be able to ask yourself what you are doing with your talent.

On the 23rd, Pastor Larry will follow up with the parable of the judgement. This will be the final sermon in our series of looking at the parables. It will challenge us to see that when we use our talents to help other, we grow spiritually and are actually serving Jesus.

Please read this week's scripture several times. Read it alone. Read it with your family. Pray and ask God to help you be prepared to receive the blessing.

Not Yet!!!!!!

I saw in the news that the city of Independence had the lighting of the Mayor's Christmas tree over the weekend. I'm seeing Christmas commercials on TV. Merchants used to have the courtesy to wait until after Thanksgiving but not any more. We can do nothing about the commercialized Christmas. We can't stop it. But we don't have to be involved with it.

I'm not one to rant and rave about taking Christ out of Christmas. I don't think government needs to be involved in promoting the festivities. It is the place of the church to proclaim the "glad tidings of a great joy..." I'm not one to complain that nativity scenes are not allowed on government facilities. There are plenty of churches and Christians who can place such witnesses to our faith on our own yards.

But even with this aside, we need to individually look at how we will prepare for Christmas. Will we get caught up in all the materialism? Perhaps this would be a good year for each of us to plan ways of bringing out the spiritual celebration in our lives. We will soon be announcing the activities we are planning at Paradise UMC. These will include a Christmas Pageant by our Children, Christmas Eve Candlelight service, and we pastors will be preaching in the month of December about the Advent/Christmas message.

We will be suggesting ways that you and your family might be more involved in your home in a way that gets to the real message of Christmas.

But we aren't going to do that yet.
Let's have Thanksgiving first.


Pastor Larry

How Can You Help?

There is always something to do in God's Kingdom and at Paradise UMC. Let's list a few:
1. Children's Church - be in a rotation to do the children's sermon - resources are available via the internet or books on most topics.

2. PowerPoint - be in a rotation to prepare the presention for Sunday worship.

3. Song Leader - stand in front of the congregation and lead the singing during worship.

4. Worship leader - take your place in a rotation to lead the worship service.

5. Sunday School Substitute - fill in on an "as needed" basis when regular teachers are not available or just to give them a break.

6. Website - keep the web site updated - changing the newsletter and other information. If you feel creative, you may change the layout, etc.!

Do you hear God calling? Contact Pastor Arlin or Pastor Larry.

Smell That Turkey?

I know it's not possible, but I swear I can smell that turkey.
We can eat it on Friday, November 7th.
We dig in at 6:30 p.m.
You haven't forgotten have you?
Have you invited someone to share it?

Our fellowship nights are so important to the life of our church. We grow in our relationships with each other. We share in a time with Christian friends. We are in God's presence.

So, bring your appetite, a friend, and a little donation for the free will offering.

The Emotion of the Last 24 Hours

I was so surprised!
I know I'm emotional, but I didn't expect tears to flow.
It hit me hard. It may be a great historical moment.
The fact that our next President is an African-American person, turned the tears on.
They were not tears of fear or anger, but tears of joy.

I have seen so much hurt and pain caused by our imperfect love of all God's children.
I have had persons in my churches who were black, white, Asian, Native American. I have seen some of these who were young persons being teased by others because they were different.

But last night, it hit me that our nation may be turning a big corner.
We have not allowed the color of a person's skin to disqualify him from being elected.

My mind went back to 1963 as I sat in front of a TV and heard Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech. I remember 1968 when Robert Kenney and M.L. King lost their lives serving this country.

I remember growing up in Chillicothe where the water fountains at the Ben Bolt theater were marked for "whites" and for "colored."

I remember when we were forced to integrate the swimming pool and I shared the water with them.

I can't imagine what the black kids were feeling in Chillicothe.

Whether we are Democrats or Republicans....
Whether we voted for Obama or McCain...
The decision has been made and it is time for us to be in prayer for all the leaders who have been elected including our future president.
Just as I have prayed for every president we have had, I will continue to be in prayer for our new president.

I pray further that this may be a time which will get rid of the hate and bitterness that has been so much of the speech in our deadlocked society for the several years.

Finally, let me say that I shed tears when John McCain gave such a positive concession speech. What an example he was! He could have been bitter, but he gave the example of acceptance and good will.

Pastor Larry

Preparing for Sunday

Have you ever needed something and you didn't have it because you had not been prepared? Have you opened your suitcase and saw that you forgot some important article of clothing? How would you feel if you were a bridesmaid waiting for the bridegroom to arrive and it became so late that you fell asleep? When they woke you up you didn't have batteries for your flashlight (or oil for your lamp)? Well, this is what we are going to deal with on Sunday.

The scripture is Matthew 25:1-13. You may wish to read this several times between now and Sunday. The sermon will be: "We Need More Lerts -- So Be A Lert."

This would be a good week to invite someone to attend with you. They will be blessed and so will you.

VOTE

Voting is not only a privilege, it is a responsibility.
As a church, we do not tell anyone for whom to vote, but we certainly encourage you to vote.

Here's a prayer to pray as you get ready to cast your vote:

O God of freedom. I ask you to guide me as I go to vote this day. Help me to do my final study about the issues and the candidates. Help me to try to vote as I would if you were in the booth with me. I pray for the persons who will be elected --- even those I will vote against. Give them a special blessing and help them to have your guidance as they make decisions which will touch the lives of all our people. Amen.

Hey, You Turkey!

Oh, you're not a turkey.
Well, do you like to eat turkey?
Do you like to eat turkey and all that traditionally goes with turkey?
Do you like to eat it in the presence of friends and family?
Are you free on Friday, November 7th at 6:30 p.m.?

Well if all of the above is true, you need to plan to join us at Paradise. Enjoy good food and fellowship and bring free will offering which will be used for our mission projects.

This is also an EXCELLENT time to bring a friend -- especially someone who does not have a church home. Let them experience the love and excitement of our congregation.

So.....if you don't have the opportunity to travel....
you can see Turkey and Greece.
(sorry about that!)

Mission Project

We delivered 70 cans of vegetables to the Smithville Food Pantry for October.

Now November is ahead of us and our project is cans of soup. Our goal is 50 again but you know we can do better!

What a joy it is to know that we are able to help others who are hungry!

Sermon for November 2, 2008

So what is a hypocrite?
Do we find hypocrites in all parts of society?
Did Jesus say anything about hypocrites? Man did he!

Pastor Arlin is going to approach this subject this Sunday. Don't forget to read Matthew 23:1-12.
When people say they don't want to go to church because it has hypocrites, just say, "Come and join us. There's always room for one more!"

After all the church is a hospital for sinners.

What's coming up?

Well, Sunday is over and a new week is beginning. Do we wait until next Sunday?
NO!
Prayer group gathers at the church on October 28th at 9 a.m.
WOW yoth and Ukelele Practice is Oct. 29th from 6:15 to 7:30

DON'T FORGET TO SET THE CLOCK FORWARD SATUDAY NIGHT!

How about reading the scripture for next week? Matthew 23:1-12. The more you read it the better the sermon will be!

Make invitations now to friends to join us on Friday, Nov. 7th at 6:30 p.m.

MORE ABOUT OCT. 26TH

I'm looking at the rough draft of the bulletin for Sunday, October 26, 2008. Would you like to know what I see?

We will sing "Morning Has Broken."
"Gift of Love."
"Love Divine."

Special music: "I Come to the Garden" by Anna and John Wallace.

A Time With Young Disciples led by Marty Roe.

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40.

Sermon: "Love Incorporated" by Pastor Arlin Renfrow.

Sounds good to me!

Worship on October 26th

Pastor Arlin will be leading you Sunday as we continue our Matthew study.
The text is Matthew 22:34-46.
Which is the greatest commandment? That is the challenge given to Jesus.
How would you answer that question in our day?

For best results, read that scripture several times. Try to place yourself in the shoes of each person person or group in the story.

It's not too late to invite someone to join us in worship this week. Remember, most will say "yes."

We Reach Out

Our monthly gathering of supplies to be shared with sisters and brothers in need has been very gratifying.
We collected 72 cans of fruit and we currently have 77 cans of vegetables.
October collections will be going to the Smithville Food Pantry.

Our free will offerings at our Friday fellowship nights has also been used for different mission projects including food back packs for students to have food over the weekends.

As you do it to the least of these -- you do it to Jesus.

Prepare For Sunday

It is always helpful if you study the scriptures before you attend worship on Sunday. You will get much more out of the sermon if you are familiar with the text for the sermon. This Sunday the sermon is based on Matthew 22:1-14. This is a parable about the wedding feast. Why not read this scripture several times before Sunday and then invite a friend to join you at worship this week.

We are going to be looking at a series of sermons from the parables found in the book of Matthew. Here is a list:

October 19 - Matthew 22:1-14 - Wedding feast.
October 26 - Matthew 23:34-46 - The greatest Commandment.
November 2 - Matthew 23:1-12 - Warning about religious leaders
November 9 - Matthew 25:1-13 - parable of the 10 bridesmaids.
November 16 - Matthew 25:14-30 - Parable of loaned money
November 23 - Matthew 25:31-46 - The Final Judgment

This will get us to the Advent Season. We invite you to read these scriptures with your family each week as a form of family devotions.

Sermon For October 12

Have you ever had someone try to trap you with a question? They ask a question in which you will be condemned with any answer. This is what happened to Jesus in Matthew 22:15-22. Why not read this passage several times before Sunday? That had him cornered! It was a gotcha question. You know they felt pretty good about themselves. They were feeling pretty smug. They were probably giving each other high fives.

Jesus had a better idea. He turned the question around and they found themselves in a trap.

What does this story have to say about our situation today? Bring some friends with you and we'll all try to learn from the wit and wisdom of our Lord.

See you Sunday.

WHAT A WEEKEND!!!!

Although I wasn't feeling up to par I had a great weekend. The fellowship evening Friday with three kinds of soup was a huge success. I understand we had over 60 and a large number of them were families with lots of children. Don't you love the noise! Soup was delicious and we raised over $100 for mission work.

Sunday morning we had a good crowd for World Communion Sunday. We find out that Ken and Geri also had voice problems like mine. Ken had the most trouble. He talks at a voice level that was most threatening to me, but we made it.

The Charge Conference at Arley was great. We had great representation from Paradise and I was so proud of our report. It was good to be with the other two churches. We learned from each other and had great fellowship. Many times the small churches feel like we don't matter but we learned on Sunday that we are very important. We had a great worship service including some good old country music.

It is not too late to start inviting persons you know who do not have a church home. Let's get a good crowd on Sunday and share the joy that God is giving to our church.

Sunday, October 5, 2008 - "Grapes of Wrath."

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

A guy takes a piece of property. It may have been in pretty bad shape. He fertilized it. He prepared all the grapevines so they were in excellent share for growth. He fixed the barns and all the buildings. He gave a new coat of paint. People traveled for miles and said, "My, look what he’s done to this pile of rock!"
Now he leased it out to tenants and was able to travel. Those he trusted abused it and refused to acknowledge him as the owner. They would pay their rent and they killed the ones he sent to collect the rent.
We will look at this story on Sunday and see what Jesus was saying about the people who were in charge of the church. How does this speak to the church today? I look forward to sharing this story with you and we will conclude with Communion. Sunday is World Communion Sunday. We will be share Communion with our sisters and brothers around the world who speak other languages and have different colored skins. What a day of celebration. When you invite someone to worship with you, be sure to tell them that they are welcome to participate in the Communion service with us.

Friday -- Fellowship

(Formerly Known As) Game Night
Come join us for an evening of food, fellowship, games and music on Friday, October 3 at 6:30. We have organized the meal so that a different group in the church will prepare one large meal for the entire group.

This month, the Prayer Group will prepare a soup dinner and there will be a freewill donation. Hopefully this new format will make it easier for people to come and enjoy the evening without worrying about preparing a meal.

Our other hope is that we can invite as many friends and neighbors to join us for an evening of fellowship and experience the warmth and hospitality that Paradise has to offer. So invite your friends and prepare to enjoy some great soup and great fellowship time.

Apple Pickin'

The Lincolns invited the WOW Youth (Walking on Water Youth) group to come over and pick apples. The youth could take some home to their families or friends who would enjoy them. The rest will be taken to Harvester's.
We had seven pickers who picked over 700 apples off one tree! We picked about a third of a tub off another tree. Just think- over 700 apples will be going to Harvester's - (part of the "Plant a Row for the Hungry" program).
Thanks be to God for the bountiful harvest, the helping hands of the pickers and many blessings to those who will receive the apples. Thanks to the Lincolns and their generosity!
We had a great time and the sunset was beautiful! Thanks for having us!!
tooti

Worship This Sunday -- September 28, 2008

This Sunday's message is "Seeing Beyond the Rock" from Exodus 17:1-7 about not letting life's challenges defeat us by trusting God to help us experience the hidden water of success that is there to sustain us.

Why not read the scripture several times and pray before coming to worship.
It would be a good Sunday to bring a friend.

BBQ REPORT from Marty

I just want to take a moment to extend a great big THANK YOU! for everyone that came to the Friday night BBQ Fellowship. A special thanks to all that contributed in so many ways that made the volunteer trip to feed the 12 or so families at the Ronald McDonald House a heartwarming success. Although I thought my brisket would really impress folks, it was actually the "oh so good" Chicken Fred prepared and the "outstanding flavor" pork that Randy provided that stirred the excitement.

Thank you Charlie and John for your time and talent and unselfish gifts (and the best beans I have ever tasted)

Thanks to all your help we were able to give these families a little bright spot in a time that can be pretty tough.


And to all that made this happen when I was tied up with work, I cannot thank you enough, you all are such a blessing to every life you touch, Thank you, Thank you Thank you!

P.S. We're gonna do this again,

marty

Serving Other --- Being Blessed!

The Men's group had a special project to serve a meal at the Ronald McDonald's House on Saturday. That is such a great way of reaching out in Risk Taking Mission and Service. We extended the love of Christ to persons in a time of trial. If nothing else happened, that would have been worth all the energy.

But much more happened. Our people who served were blessed. It was thrilling to hear one of our young people share his joy was helping at McDonald's house. Those who drove down and served the meal received a blessing. I don't care how hard you try -- you can't serve without being blessed.

There was another benefit. As the meat was being smoked for Saturday, our church family and friends gathered to share a time of fellowship with good food, laughter and music. Can you believe God has set the world up in such a way that so much joy could come from the simple act of doing good?

Today (Monday morning) begins another week. We take our faith with us as we go to work, to school, or where ever we will be. We can pray for each other during the week. Pastor Arlin will be working on a sermon for next Sunday based on Exodus 17:1-7. (hint: why not read it several times this week?)

Let me close with a short thought for you: "Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced." --James Baldwin.

Sermon for September 21

Sermon: "The Original Fast Food." -- Pastor Linville preaching.
Text: Exodus 16:2-15

The pastors are on a series of sermons from Exodus. This Sunday we will be looking at the complaining Israelites asking for food and God answers with manna.

Welcome to Paradise

This is the first blog from Paradise. Today you are with us at Paradise. Thanks for checking in.
We will use this space to tell you about the great things going on at the east side of Smithville Lake. (Did we say we are in Missouri?)

My name is Larry Linville. I am co-pastor at Paradise United Methodist Church. I have the privilege of working with Arlin Renfrow. Both of us are retired but are having a blast working with this congregation.

We will use this blog:
to let you know what is happening and what is going to happen.
to list upcoming sermons
report on events that have happened
and anything else that comes along.

I am getting ready to go to a prayer group so I have to stop now. I will come back and work on the profile and try to keep this blog up to date.


"Goodness is the only investment that never fails." --Henry David Thoreau