New Sermon Series

The next 7 sermons at Paradise will be questions about the Christian faith. You might say it is: FAQ About the Faith. We are departing the lectionary for these 7 weeks to preach some sermons on the basics. If you have friends who say they would like to understand some of the foundations of our faith, be sure to tell them about it.

On January 3rd, Pastor Arlin will answer the question: "Why Do We Need God?" You might wish to read Genesis 1:26-28 and Revelation 21:1-4 to prepare.

Those who were not present on Sunday are invited to bring your "March to the Manger" gifts. The manger is still there for you to bring your gift forward after the sermon. Several persons last Sunday were quite moved by the service and agreed that "you have to experience it".

Start your new year by being in worship.

Let's begin again in twenty-ten.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

We were so disappointed that bad weather cancelled our Christmas Eve Service. We hope all who wanted a "White Christmas" enjoyed it even though it kept thousands of persons in the KC metro from attending services. We pray hard that this will all get cleared up before Sunday.

Pastor Larry will be preaching a sermon for the first Sunday after Christmas. The gospel lesson for that Sunday is Luke 2:41-52. This is the passage in which Jesus, at the age of 12, goes with his parents to the Temple and his parents leave without him and have to come back to search for him. The sermon title is: "Where Is Jesus?"

We didn't get to do our "March to the Manger" on Christmas Eve, but we will conclude the service on Sunday by bringing our gifts for Jesus to the manger at the front of the church.

If you have family visiting, be sure to bring them to church with you and if you have friends who might wish to celebrate the season, be sure to invite them.

Christmas Eve

Opps, thought this had been updated but the first part of the week has been chaos.

Christmas Eve candlelight service is scheduled for 7 pm tonight.

Weatherman tries to threaten us with bad weather.

Forecasts change each hour.

We have plans for the "March To The Manger" for the first time.

We really need to do it.

Last year the Christmas Eve service was our largest attendance of the entire year.

Hopefully, we'll see you at 7 pm tonight.

Worship on December 20, 2009

The last Sunday in Advent.

R U ready for Christmas? Getting close?

Pastor Arlin will lead us in this last Sunday with a sermon: "Mary and Elizabeth Prepare the Way." Be sure to read Luke 1:39-45 before you arrive.

Our Christmas Program on Dec. 20th was so wonderful. It helped us prepare.

The children and adults worked hard to have such a delightful program.

Think of persons who do not have a church and invite them this week. 83% of them will say yes.

Also give an invitation for our wonderful Christmas Eve Service.

Christmas Program on December 13th

"The Story of the Christmas Tree" is the format for our special Christmas program at Paradise this coming Sunday. We will have reading about the symbols we place on the tree and there will be a variety of musical selections. Participants will be all ages. This should be one of the highlights of your preparation for Christmas.

Join us this week and bring friends with you. They will thank you.

Opportunities to Invite

There has been a chain of comments by persons on Facebook which has been daring you to write that you believe in Jesus. It's OK but a little shallow. Let's suggest something better:

If you believe in Jesus, invite others to church during the Advent and Christmas activities. That will actually do some good. Here are several oppportunities to invite friends to Paradise:

1) Friday, December 4 at 5:30 pm -- We will have a great fellowship time with a spaghetti supper. The 6th grade choir from Smithville school will be there to present a musical program.

Of course we invite people to make a contribution for the meal (which goes into projects of the church) but invite someone and tell them you'll contribute for their meal.

2) Sunday, December 13. We will have a fellowship time during the 10 am hour and will have our special Christmas program during the worship hour. This year's program will be about the Christmas tree and will include readings and special music. Your guests will be blessed.

3) Christmas Eve. We will have a very special candlelight service at 7 pm. The service will be based on the "gifts" of Christmas and will conclude with our "March to the Manger." Be sure to tell those you invite that they are not expected to "give" to our church but they are welcome to walk with us to the manger and "symbolically" give a gift to him or make a gift to their local church. We don't want them to feel left out or taken advantage of.

Christmas is coming!

Second Sunday in Advent

We are preparing for the coming of Jesus for another Christmas. With company coming, we need to get ready. Pastor Arlin will lead us this week with the sermon:"Preparing the Way for Jesus." He will base the sermon on Luke 3:1-6.

One of the things that helps us get spiritually ready for Christmas is to be in worship each Sunday. Why not do your friends a favor and bring them with you.

Advent begins on Sunday

Happy New Year!
Actually, Advent is the beginning of the liturgical church year. We will start the Advent season on November 29th. Pastor Larry will use Luke 21:25-36 in his sermon: "When Christ Returns." The text tells us to: "Be alert at all times, praying....." Advent is the season when we prepare ourselves to celebrate the greatest person who lived on the face of this earth.

You will want to be at as many of the Advent services as possible. If you will be out of town this Sunday, be sure to attend worship where you will be. If you're in town, we will look forward to having you at the service.

This is also an excellent time to invite someone to attend with you.

Worship for November 22, 2009

The Apostle Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians is the backdrop for the sermon on this Sunday before thanksgiving. Pastor Arlin will use chapter 5 verses 12-18 for his sermon, "An Attitude of Gratitude." A lot of people have been listing a different thing daily for which they are thankful. That has been helpful to develop an "attitude of gratitude". Let's show up and let Pastor Arlin help us focus on this.

Following the services there will be a pot luck dinner and we will decorate the church for the Advent season. Every Sunday is a good Sunday to bring a guest but this will be an extra good Sunday for it.

Sermon for November 15

Last Sunday Pastor Arlin preached from Hebrew 1:1-4 and preached on the topic, "God's Final Message." This week Pastor Larry will follow up from Hebrews 10:11-25 and will preach on the topic, "Provoking Each Other." We pray that this will be an upbeat sermon about how we help each other practice our faith. "And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as yuo see the Day approaching." 10:24-25.

This is a very timely subject in a day when so much of what the world sees from the church is negative. Believers need to be helping each other do those things to grow in the faith.

Invite your friends who do not attend church. God is planning a special service for us.

Turkey dinner

Oh, I remember a year ago when we gathered to have a thanksgiving dinner at Paradise. My, was it good!!!!!

On Friday, November 6th at 5:30 PM we will do it again. If you missed last year you won't want to let that happen. If you were there last year you will definitely be present.

Invite others to join you. We'll have a great fellowship and good food.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

We begin a series of "Messages From the New Testament" in the month of November.

Pastor Linville will start the series on November 1st with the sermon: "Lazarus, Come Out!" It is based on John 11:32-44. Jesus was very close to the family of Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary. The sisters send word to Jesus that Lazarus in about to die. Jesus doesn't drop everything, but keeps on doing his ministry. By the time he arrives, Lazarus has been dead 4 days. Jesus calls him from the tomb and he, who was very dead, walks out very alives.

Do you suppose there is a message in this for us today? Sunday is "All Saints' Day" and we remember those believers who have gone before us. It also declares our belief in life after death.

We will observe Holy Communion since it is the first Sunday of the month.

Why not invite someone to attend with you.

Worship For October 25, 2009

We will conclude the series from the book of Job.
"Job's Life Is Restored" is the title which goes with Job 42:1-6, 10-17. Pastor Larry will conclude the series with this sermon. A key verse says: "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you." v. 5.

Job went to a deeper level in his understanding of God. What can we do to move to a deeper level of understanding?

Bring a friend with you. It could be that this sermon is exactly what he or she needs to hear. If you don't invite that person they might miss a high point in their week.

Sermon for October 18

We continue looking at Job this month.
Job is facing total collapse in his family and possessions and yet he doesn't water down his beliefs. On Sunday, Pastor Arlin will preach: "Job Maintains His Integrity." He will base his sermon on Job 27:1-6.

Is there anything more important in our lives than to be persons of integrity? Pastor Arlin will help us look at integrity and guide us in looking to God to main our integrity.

Bring a friend with you -- you will both be blessed.

Looking at Job on October 11

Did you every get accused of something you didn't do?
Do you know how difficult it is to prove your innocence?
That's what Job was facing. He was experiencing illness and the loss of property and family and the best his friends could do was to try to get him to admit he was sinning. With friends like that......

We will look at Job 23:1-9, 16-17 this Sunday. Pastor Larry will preach on the subject, "Job Complains to God."

This will be a busy day because we will host charge conference with our guests being: Smithville, Arley and Holt. We will conduct the business of the church and will see a DVD of an outstanding sermon our Bishop preached at Annual Conference.

Come and join us.

CORRECTION

Soup Supper for Friday will be at 5:30 instead of 6:30 so some can go to the homecoming football game.

OCTOBER IS BIG MONTH AT PARADISE

Wow, what a month we have ahead!

Friday, October 2, we will gather for our fellowship night with a big soup supper. Bring your friends for a night a good food and lets sit around and have good fellowship. There could be some guitars and such there so we can have some singing.

SERIES ON THE BOOK OF JOB.
Job was a righteous man who suffered. He received bad advice from his best friends. The Pastors will be examining this book and try to help us see how it touches our lives. The schedule is:
Oct. 4 - Pastor Arlin will preach:"Job the Righteous." Job 1:1-5.
Oct.11 - Pastor Larry will preach: "Job Complains to God." Job 23:1-9, 16-17
Oct. 18 - Pastor Arlin will preach: "Job Maintains His Integrity." Job 27:1-6
Oct 25 - Pastor Larry will preach: "Job's Life is Restored." Job 42:1-6,10-17

CHARGE CONFERENCE is Oct 11th at 5 pm. We are hosting the event with Smithville, Arley and Holt churches as our guests.

What a great month we have ahead of us.

Series concludes September 27th

We've been following a series of sermons from the book of Proverbs. Pastor Arlin will bring it to a conclusion this weeks with a sermon: "We Perish without Vision." The text is Proverbs 29:18.

What vision do you have as a person? As a Christian? What is the vision of Paradise UMC?

You will not want to miss the drawing together of these sermons so that we can move to our next series in October.

Bring a can or two of fruit as you attend this week.
And don't forget to bring a friend!

Worship at Paradise on September 20, 2009

Proverbs 31:10 says "A capable wife who can find?" We have 22 verses telling us about this ideal woman. It's an old-fashioned woman. We will look at this sermon on Sunday with the title, "An Old-Fashioned Woman." Please read Proverbs 31:10-31 as we continue our sermons from Proverbs. Pastor Larry will try to give this a new twist by looking at the church as "the bride of Christ."

If you invite a person you know who does not go to church -- the odds are 82% that person will accept your invitation. Why not bring someone with you?

Remember, we have rebuilt our Sunday School approach and trying something new. It is an exciting experiment for persons of all ages. Come at 10 am and find out what it is like.

Sermon about Wisdom on September 13th

Paradise UMC is in the midst of a series of sermons from the book of Proverbs.
Last Sunday Pastor Larry helped us look at the blessings of being generous. On Sunday Pastor Arlin will lead us with a sermon titled: "Being Wise." He will base it on Proverbs 1:1-7. What is real wisdom? Where do we find wisdom? What does the Bible mean when it says "wisdom"?
Be sure to read the passage and pray about it before you arrive at church.

Sunday is the National Back to Church Sunday. 82% of the persons you would invite to church will say "yes." Why not bring someone to church with you? They will be blessed and you will be blessed.

Mission Opportunities for September

Each month we have a project for mission. During September we will be collecting canned fruit for the food pantry. You may bring your canned fruit any Sunday during the month. We already have several cans in place. It is good for us to have an opportunity to help persons less fortunate who are hungry.

Starting a series from the book of Proverbs

The next four Sundays will be from the book of Proverbs.
Our series title is :"Wisdom from the Proverbs."
On September 6th Pastor Larry will preach a sermon: "The Generous Are Blessed." It is based on selected verses from the 22nd chapter.

We will also celebrate holy communion since it is the first Sunday of the month. We always welcome all who attend to participate communion with us. We will have a loaf of bread and will tear off a piece of the bread and dip it in the cup of juice. (This is called "intinction".)

With the summer over we are gearing up for the months ahead. We will have a great experiment with our Sunday School hour. We will kick that off on September 13th. Keep watching for more information.

It has been good to see visitors at worship as well as persons returning from their busy lives. We hope to see you there this week.

Worship for August 30, 20090

We had a great Ice Cream fellowship on Sunday night. A good crowd was present the the North Star band was super!

This Sunday we will conclude our series from Ephesians. Pastor Arlin will preach on the topic: "How to Walk in Faith". The scripture is: Ephesians 6:21-24. This should bring everything to a conclusion as we look to the next month.

In September we will have a series: "Wisdom from the Proverbs." Here are the topics for the month:

Sept. 6 - "The Generous Are Blessed." Prov. 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23. Pastor Larry Preaching.
Sept. 13 - "Being Wise." Proverbs 1:7, 2:6, 4:7, and 3:5-6. Pastor Arlin preaching.
Sept. 20 - "An Old Fashioned Woman." Proverbs 31:10-31. Pastor Larry Preaching.
Sept. 27 - "We Perish Without Vision." Proverbs 29:18. Pastor Arlin Preaching.

See you on Sunday.

Happy Things Happening at Paradise Sunday

We will continue the series this week at Paradise which is titled: "Some How To's From Ephesians." Pastor Larry will preach on the text of Ephesians 6:10-20 in a sermon titled "How To Dress." Please read the scripture several times and be in prayer before you arrive at church.

From 4 to 7 pm we will have home made ice cream and cake. We need to invite a lot of people to join us for this good time of fellowship. The Praise Band from North Star United Methodist Church will provide entertainment.

There is no charge for the ice cream and cake but we will be happy to receive donations which will go to the "Meals on Wheels" ministry.

See ya there.

Ephesians series continues on August 16

We have had two sermons from Ephesians this month. This week Pastor Arlin will preach from Ephesians 5:15-20 in his sermon "How to Walk in Wisdom." As we always say, please read the scripture several times this week and pray about it.

We had new persons present last week and that is exciting news. Now is a good time to bring someone with you who does not attend church. With school getting started people are closing their summer schedule and are getting back into the fall routine.

Exciting Times in August.

As summer begins to move on and school gets started soon, we have continued excitement at Paradise UMC.

Our mission project for the month is facial tissue. I wonder how many boxes we can collect?

Ice Cream Social - August 23 from 4-7. A free will offering for Meals on Wheels will be received. We will have special intertainment by Light Quest (the Praise band from North Star United Methodist Church.)

Services for august 9, 2009

Pastor Arlin started our month of sermons from Ephesians. He preached about "How to Walk in Unity." On August 9th, Pastor Larry will preach on "How to Handle Anger." This will be based on Ephesians 4:25-5:2. Read it over a few times. There is a lot of good advice in it. There is so much anger in the world today from road rage to angry politics. People shout at people and their blood pressure increases.

Anger, like money, is not a bad thing. The whole question is about how to handle the anger. We hope this sermon will be helpful to all of us because we all will be angry several times this week.

As always, we urge you to invite friends and family members who do not attend church anywhere. We have such a friendly church that they will surely feel at home and want to come back.

New Preaching Series Beginning.

How about reading the book of Ephesians during the month of August? The pastors will be preaching a series from that epistle. It consists of five "how to" sermons. Here's the line-up:
August 2 - Pastor Arlin - "How to Walk in Unity." Eph. 4:1-16.
August 9 - Pastor Larry - "How to Handle Anger." Eph. 4:24-5:2
August 16 - Pastor Arlin - "How to Walk in Wisdom." Eph 5:15-20.
August 23 - Pastor Larry - "How to Dress." Eph 6:10-20.
August 30 - Pastor Arlin - "How to Walk in the Faith." Eph 6:21-24.

There are several ways to receive the most benefit of these sermons:
1) try to attend every sermon.
2) read through the book and read the scripture each week.
3) pray for the pastor's preparation and your own ability to receive it well.


And -- don't forget we are having an ice cream social on the evening of August 23rd. Yum Yum.

"Who Is Jesus?"

We had a wonderful VBS last week and now we celebrate God's love in worship on July 26th. Pastor Arlin will conclude our month long look at the book of Mark. He will preach from Mark 6:14-16 in a sermon titled "Who Is This Jesus?" If we are to follow Jesus, it makes sense that we need to know who Jesus is.

This is the time of year when a lot of people are on vacations and other family outings so we really need to have YOU attend every time you can. It always helps to have more people at worship. This is also an excellent time to invite friends and neighbors to join you at church.

Be sure and read the scripture and pray for Pastor Arlin as he prepares.

Our mission project for the mont is deodorant. There is also an emergency at the food pantry so we encourage you to bring any food products you can.

"by the grace of Jesus Christ, Paradise United Methodist Church offers a friendly smile, a warm welcome and a spiritual home."

Camping Anyone?

The children at Paradise are in the midst of VBS which is using the camping concept as the theme. Camp E.D.G.E. is the material we are using. We have a good group of children present and the church sanctuary looks like a camp. It will still be looking that way this Sunday as Pastor Larry will preach on the subject, "The Camping Trip." It is based on Mark 6:30-34; 53-56. In this passage, the disciples have just had a successful event and Jesus tells them they need to rest a while. Is it important for us to take some rest time in the midst of our busy schedules? Do we really know how to rest?

Please read the scripture several times and also pray for both of our pastors as they prepare their weekly sermons.

We will get to hear the children share some of the music they have learned this week. It should be an exciting day. It's a good day to bring visitors with you.

Worship for July 12, 2009

We will begin Bible School on Sunday night. With this in mind, Pastor Arlin will be preaching about Jesus and the children. Mark 10:13-16 is the text for the sermon: "The Kingdom Through A Child's Eyes." This should be a perfect kickoff for the VBS.

Be sure to read the scripture and be in prayer for Pastor Arlin as he prepares.

Pray also for each person who will be in attendance -- that they may be blessed by the message.

Pray for all our workers with the VBS this week.

Pray for all the children who will be placed in our hands.

Worship at Paradise on July 5, 2009

Jesus was always successful, right?
Wrong.
Where would he be unsuccessful?
In his home town.
Why did his home town reject him? What did he do about it? Do we reject him?
These are some of the questions Pastor Larry will examine on Sunday with the sermon: "When Jesus Couldn't Succeed." Read Mark 6:1-13.

Summer is a time when a lot of people go places and have vacations. This week we will have the celebration of our Nations' birthday on Saturday. Perhaps you will have people visiting at your house. Why not bring them with you? Who else do you know that want to come and thank God for our freedom?

See you there!

Sunday June 28, 2009

Have a hymn you wish we would sing? Request it this Sunday.
Like to sing and sing and sing? Don't miss this Sunday.
Do to popular demand we will have a sing-a-long this week.
This should be a good time to catch up on your music need.
Please bring a friend and your voice.

See you there!

Worship for June 21, 2009

Do you ever feel like your life is in turmoil?

Do you feel like you are in the middle of a storm?

Do you feel out of control?

The disciples were in a boat when a big storm arose. Jesus was sleeping through it. Can you imagine how upset they were that he would sleep when they were about to be destroyed?

What does this mean for us today?

"When the Storms of Life Are Raging." is the title of Pastor Larry's sermon this week. It's also a hymn which he will incorporate into the service. Prepare yourself by reading Mark 4:35-41.

It's Father's Day and you know your dad would be proud if he make the effort to be in worship.

Worship for June 14, 2009

Summer is near (unofficially we are already in summer). Farming is at a high pitch. People are going to family outings and ball games. Many options are available for us on Sundays. Pastor Arlin will preach on the subject "Choices We Make." You may wish to read Joshua 24:1-5, 13-15 to prepare for the sermon.

We will have the baptism of a couple of Pastor Arlin's grandchildren. Won't that be exciting!!!!

We hope we can repeat the great attendance from last Sunday and have a good crowd again this week. Of the many choices you make this we, we hope attending worship is one of them. We hope that inviting a friend or neighbor will be another.

Preparing for VBS

Camp E.D.G.E. (Experience & Discover God Everywhere) Vacation Bible School
We will be transforming our church into a different kind of “Paradise”~ a wilderness camp! In order to do this, we need to borrow some of your camping and nature supplies!

Don’t worry about signing up, just send in AS MANY AS YOU CAN!

Please label what you bring so it can be returned to you!
But we’ll have masking tape and markers, just in case!

Here’s what we’re looking for…

*Artificial Christmas trees- We need LOTS!
*Solid Bed Sheets- (any size)- We need LOTS! COLORS- white, lt. Blue, dark blue, black
Fake flowers or greenery
Logs, driftwood, stumps
Stuffed forest animals
Picnic benches
River rocks (soccer ball size)

CAMPING - HIKING - SPORTING - GEAR:
Sleeping bags, ropes, camping chairs, mountain bikes, helmets, backpacks, skateboards, cooking gear, ski’s, ski poles, lanterns and flashlights, inflatable rafts, canteens, compasses, hiking boots, archery tools, kayaks and paddles, oars, life vests, fishing vests, poles, tackle boxes, beach towels

Worship for June 7, 2009

School is out.
Farm work is progressing.
We've received a wonderful confirmation class into membership.
Gardens are in.
Summer is on the way.
Pastor Arlin will help us move into this new time in our life with his sermon: "New Birth." He is using the text John 3:1-17. We will also celebrate holy Communion.

Our Annual Conference (the gathering of representatives from each United Methodist Church in the state) begins on Friday morning and will conclude on Monday.

Summer is a special time in the church. Because of vacations and other summer activities we have persons who will not be able to attend worship. That makes it more important for those of us to be present to give a good group feeling. It's a good time to invite others and tell them to "come as they are." They might not realize we pretty much do that anyway.

Pentecost Sunday

We have a big celebration on Sunday. Pentecost is considered the birthday of the church. You can read about it in Acts 2:1-21. Pastor Larry will preach about "What Happened at Pentecost?"

We will also be doing baptisms, confirmation and the reception of new members into the church. What a highlight for the day. When it's over we will celebrate our newest members with a pot luck dinner.

This is a good time to bring someone as a guest and let them see how exciting things are at Paradise and they will have a meal by the best cooks in Clay County.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

This Sunday we will look at the Ascension story from Acts 1. This disciples had to prepare themselves for Pentecost (which we will celebrate next week). Jesus is gone and they need to look forward.

Pastor Larry will be talking about the implications this has on us when we gather for worship at 11 am. He will help us see how God provides the mission and the power and how we need to properly focus. This is not a sermon about what happened years ago, but what is happening today and tomorrow. Please read Acts 1:1-11 and be in prayer that this service will be helpful to you. Oh yes, bring a friend. It may be just what they are needing in their life as well.

Worship at Paradise on May 17

The Series on Christian Maintenance concludes this week with the sermon, "Maintaining Blessed Assurance." Pastor Arlin will base his sermon on the text from 1 Corn 5:1-5, 11-13. He will look at the assurance we have through faith and will talk about blind hymnwriter's witness in her hymn, "Blessed Assurance."

You will want to attend this last sermon in the series and will want to bring a friend with you. It will be great to share the warm fellowship of the church with one another and with new persons as well.

Mother's Day at Paradise

Sorry I'm slow in getting the blog done. My computer went down twice but it's working fine---today!

May 10th is Mother's Day and Paradise UMC is ready. Pastor Arlin continues our series on Christian Maintenance with the sermon: "Maintaining the Spirit of Love." 1 John 4:7-21. He will be tying this topic with a mother's love and will look at Jesus' mother as an example. If your mother is living, why not bring her to church with you? If she lives away from here, she would be proud of you for being in church. If you mother, like mine, is deceased; honor her by being in worship to thank God for her.

The Taco fellowship last Friday was super, wasn't it? We have such good fellowship and we seem to always have visitors. This an important ministry of the church.

Uno de mayo

Tacos anyone?
How about having a good evening with good amigos, tacos and fellowship.
There may even be some very special music.

We begin at 6:30. Come earlier and visit. Stay late and visit.

The youth are responsible for the meal and you can make a donation which will be used in their ministries.

Bring friends.

This Week In Paradise

We have some special events this coming week.

Friday, May 1, at 6:30 pm the youth are sponsoring our Friday Fellowship. It will be Mexican food -- ole! There is a possibility we may have some very special musical guests so you won't want to miss. Remember, we gather for fellowship and to eat good food and you are welcome to make a donation to the youth ministry projects.

Next Sunday is the third in our series of "Christian Maintenance". Pastor Larry will preach on the subject, "Maintaining Love." Read 1 John 3:16-24. Bring a friend. We've been having visitors nearly every week, so keep up the good work.

Christian Maintenance

The epistle of 1 John is the background for the present series. Pastor Arle started us off on Sunday with a sermon: "Maintaining Fellowship with God." This coming Sunday, Pastor Larry will follow with "Maintaining Righteousness. Please read 1 John 3:1-7

We had visitors yesterday and we look forward to having more visitors. Who do you know that needs a church home? Now is a good time to invite them.

The men's group will have a workday at the church this coming Saturday. Come as soon as you can and stay as long as you can.

Suprising British singer

Surely you have seen Susan Boyle by now. She is the 47 year old who appreared on Britain's Got Talent. If you haven't seen it on TV you can go to YouTube and google her name.

This very "common" looking person appeared on stage and responded to questions with her stammering voice. You just knew it was going to be dreadful. Then when her voice started, everyone was shocked. The judges were stunned. The crowd changed from laughter to a standing ovation.

I have watched this many times and I get tearful every time.

This is what God does to our lives. God takes us as very common, bumbling persons and turns us into divas. Thanks be to God.

Pastor Larry

New Series -- "Christian Maintenance."

Our pastor just completed a series on covenants which ended with Easter. Now we are going to move a series based in the epistle of 1 John. It's a short book so it would be good for you to read it through many times.

We come through the Easter experience with our spirits high and it is important for us to stay at that high moment. How can we maintain that closeness. Our pastors will attempt to guide is in how we can maintain that closeness with God.

This sunday Pastor Arlin will preach on the topic: "Maintaining Fellowship With God." His scripture is 1 John 1:1-10. This is the foundation sermon. It is important to be present as he sets the stage for all five sermons. The sermons which follow are:

April 26 - "Maintaining Righteousness." 1 John 3:1-7, Pastor Larry
May 3 - "Maintaining Love." 1 John 3:16-24, Pastor Larry
May 10 - "Maintaining the Spirit of Love." 1 John 4:7-21, Pastor Arlin
May 17 - "Maintaining Assurance." 1 John 5:1-6, Pastor Arlin.

We missed our goal of breaking the record attendance of 109 but the good news is we had 97. We WILL break that record. Let us keep inviting others to attend with us.

Happy Easter

Easter Special Schedule

Good Friday services went well. We experienced a Tenebrae service which was new to most. We had just finished a 12-hour prayer vigil.

Easter has a special schedule.

9 a.m. - Worship. Both pastors will be there. Pastor Arlin will lead the service and Pastor Larry will preach about the Resurrection. The choir has been working on a new Easter hymn. It has taken a lot of work and we'll have a large choir for the morning. Ken and Geri will talk with the kids about the meaning of Easter. (You know they'll never get it right!)

10 a.m. - Breakfast. What a great way to celebrate the great news of Easter. We gather around tables in fellowship. It's a victory celebration for the great gift of the resurrection.

Easter Egg hunt will follow breakfast. Remember how excited you were to hunt for those eggs?

Now, here's the deal. Our record attendance is 109. We need to beat that. We had 61 for Palm Sunday. Can you help us break that record? Who do you know who doesn't plan to attend an Easter service? Invite them. They'll probably say "Yes."

See you Sunday!

IT'S HOLY WEEK!

We had a GREAT day yesterday with a huge crowd. Now we are in Holy Week.
Please be a part of the events of this important week.

FRIDAY - TENEBRAE.
This special service comes from a latin word meaning "shadows". The service comes from the middle ages when they didn't have PowerPoint or even slides. It uses candles and scripture to help us experience Jesus' last hours on this earth. The service will begin at 7 pm so be sure to be aware of this difference in time. Since we end on the sad note that Jesus died, there will be no benediction and you will be asked to leave the church without speaking to anyone; we will have a little time a greeting as the service begins.

EASTER
Our service times will be different.
We will have worship at 9 am.
The service will be followed by a breakfast and then we will have an Easter Egg hunt for the children.
Our all time attendance record is 109 and we are determined to break that record so invite everyone you know who do not attend church. If everyone who was there on Palm Sunday would bring one person with them, we will easily break that record.

WHAT A WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!
It will be good to share it with you.

Getting Ready for Holy Week

Last night we had a great evening of fellowship with the men preparing a meal of BBQ. Food was out of this world and Fred Walter's bunch of men worked like an army. Everyone had a great time and we had many visitors joing us. Although the purpose is not to make money, the men did receive over $350 for their work in the church and community. They set the date of April 25th to have a work day at the church and tend to a lot of the physical needs of the building and property. Things will begin at 8 a.m. and persons are welcome to work as much time as they have available.

Sunday is Palm Sunday. What a way to prepare yourselves to enter Holy Week! We will remember the children waving the palm branches. We said at the beginning of the week that Pastor Arlin will preach on the subject: "Jesus, the New Covenant, Enters Jerusalem." We will celebrate Holy Communion and look at how God's covenant, Jesus, moved into the last week of his life on earth.

Thanks to everyone who made last night successful and who invited persons to join us. Thanks to those of you who have been inviting persons to join us for Palm Sunday and Easter. These are exciting days at Paradise.

LET'S EAT

Tonight is the night

BARBQ at 6:30

Several kinds of good meats.

Good fellowship.

Anyone who reads this is welcome to join us

at

Paradise United Methodist Church.

Lenten Devotional reading

A Boy At the Crucifixion
By Larry Linville

I sat upon his knee when I was small.
He was so kind even though he was tall.
“You must be like a child” he said so loud
and it made an impression on the crowd.

I followed him because he was so kind
and watched him when he healed the sick and blind.
I ran beside him with palm branch in hand
and felt important in the joyful band.

It’s hard for a small boy to understand
how the people could make such a demand
to ask old Pilate to crucify him
and undertake action that was so grim.

I held the hand of his mother so dear
as I looked at her as she shed a tear
when he told John to love her as a son
and their new relationship was begun.

When I was older I told my small boy
how the haters thought that they could destroy
his wondrous love by all their rejection
but he answered with the resurrection.

© 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.

Busy week, Again.

The BBQ is our next big event. We're expecting a good crowd for the 6:30 event on Friday night. Invite friends. The food is going to be out of this world and where can you find better fellowship. Pastor Arlin wants the men to set some time for a future meeting and the Praise Band wants to practice a special number for Easter.

On April 5th, we will celebrate Palm Sunday with palm branches and all. Pastor Arlin will preach on the topic: "Jesus, the New Covenant, Enters Jerusalem." The scripture is Mark 1:1-11. This is the perfect way to enter Holy Week.

There is a sign-up sheet for our Good Friday prayer vigil. It is good that we are such a praying church and you will want to be part of this important event. If you haven't signed up be sure and look for the list and Friday night or Sunday morning to get on the schedule.

It's not too early to invite your friends to the Palm Sunday and Easter services. We want to break our 109 record attendance and WE CAN DO IT!

Have a good week.

Lenten Devotional reading

A Special Meal
By Larry Linville

My life was in shambles
collapsing
falling apart.
In desperation
I climbed a tall hill
and sat under a big tree
far away from the cruel world
awaiting the enlightenment
of the rays from the rising sun.
As I tried once more
to pray to God
another man joined me
in that remote place.
With much on his mind
he listened to me
and placed his own problems aside.
Soon my heavy load
left me floating in ecstasy.
A few days later
with Passover near
I saw him alone again.
In gratitude I offered him a gift
and he graciously accepted.
He told his followers
how to meet me
and I led them to a special room
where I catered his Last Supper.

© 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

Busy Week Ahead!!!!

BBQ is coming a week from Friday night at 6:30. (April 4th) The men are in full swing in preparation. We are spreading the word and expect a large turnout.

Next Sunday will be another sermon in our series on Covenants from God.
Pastor Larry will lead us from Jeremiah 31:31-34 in a sermon: "God Promises A New Covenant With The People." The Hebrew word for "new" can mean "renewed" and that is probably what is the writer's intent. God kept making covenants and the people kept breaking them so God has another idea -- write in on their hearts.

Our series in moving toward it's fulfillments on Palm Sunday as Pastor Arlin introduces the New Covenant in the Palm Sunday lesson.

As always, it helps if you read the scripture several times. This is a rather short passage so it will be easy to read it each day.

Who do you know that does not attend worship? 80+% of them will say "yes" if you invite them to join you at worship. Any sales person would love to have that percentage.

Apportionments report

Apportionments are our fair share of the mission program of the Annual Conference. It is figured in such a way that it is fair for both large and small churches. Many churches (large and small) struggle at the end of the year to come up with the payment. It sometimes becomes such a big problem that it is the object of newsletter items, statements from the pulpits, etc.

In today's mail was the statement for the first 2 months of the year. Our church has paid 50% at the point. This is such a great practice and a way we can avoid placing ourselves in a stressful situation. This is possible because of your gifts to the church as an expression of your love to God.

Thanks for your generousity!

Lenten Devotional reading

I Made The Three Nails
By Larry Linville

A Roman soldier came into my shop
and told me that I must come to a stop.
He had a big special order for me.
Make the roughest nails and he wanted three.

He said to be sure they were very rough
for this guy who hadn’t suffered enough.
I must admit that I’m good at my craft
and I could help give this fellow the shaft.

Later in the day I went out to see
the guy who would suffer because of me.
I watched as they drove my nails in his skin
and some of his blood gushed out on my chin.

Just at that moment his eyes looked at me
and his forgiveness was all I could see
I stood with people and watched him die
and constantly wiped a tear from my eye.

“forgive them they don’t know what they have done”
was his prayer I heard and wanted to run.
My legs wouldn’t move so I looked above
and his eyes seemed to tell me of his love.

Both hurting and healing at the same time
I grieved that I was part of the crime.
By my good work he was nailed to a tree
but his death gave true life to you and me.

© 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.

Worship for March 22, 2009

Last Sunday, Pastor Larry helped us look at the Ten Commandments as God's covenant with a people who had been in slavery for 400 years. We saw this covenant as God's act of grace to help the people learn to live as free people. The emphasis was on what God did.

This week Pastor Arlin will help us look at the influence on the children of Israel. His sermon will be based on Exodus 24:1-8 with the title, "The People Affirm God's Covenant with Them."

Spring is coming our way, the weather is feeling better and the spirit of the people is bubbling over. It's a great time to be at worship. Please join us on Sunday and bring someone with you.

Lenten Devotional reading

Jesus Upset My Table
By Larry Linville

The great Passover time was drawing near.
A very profitable time of year.
My chance of making much money was great
so I sold everything to improve my fate.

Hundreds of pigeons at my temple stall
made it look like I was at a big mall.
The early crowd came with money in hand.
My profits were growing just like I planned
when this guy burst in and started to yell
upsetting my table and raising hell.
He shouted words about a den of thieves
and freed my pigeons and rolled up his sleeves.

My pigeons all flew to freedom out side.
My anger boiled up and made me decide
I would follow him as he was leavin’
and find a time when I could get even.

I followed after him throughout the week
listening to every word he did speak.
He said that anger can ruin one’s life
and he said that love could help in our stife.

But I joined those with their fists in the air
shouting “Crucify him! Kill him I swear.”
Up to Golgotha I followed this guy
and he looked right at me and said, “Don’t cry!”

Just then I looked up and there in the sky
where my pigeons had just started to fly.
Somehow I felt he sent them all my way
for some message he had wanted to say.

A second chance he was giving to me
so just like my pigeons I could be free.
Down from Golgotha I led all the birds
following as I said special words.

Out in the open I watched them go freeand
a new freedom was given to me.
I took all the things I heard that man say
and lived my life a different way.

© 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.

Devotional Poem

I Gave My Linen Cloth To Jesus
By Larry Linville

For a linen cloth I spent a great treasure
and each time I looked it gave me much pleasure.
I didn’t know how I would use it some day
but I knew it was more than just for display.

A crowd was assembling just outside of town
to celebrate a man who had great renown.
On a donkey he rode like a winning king
all the people lifted their voices to sing.

I thought this must be the occasion for me
to bring out that linen cloth in my great glee.
I threw it in front of that donkey he rode
where among the branches it’s great beauty glowed.

After he had passed I took it to my house
and thought I could make from it a special blouse.
A blouse that had been laid out on the highway
but the events took a bad turn by Friday.

I ran to the cross with my cloth near my heart
at the right time to see his spirit depart.
I knew that this cloth wouldn’t dwell in my room
so I gave it for him to wear in his tomb.

I gave that which was the most precious to me
to the one who suffered so I could be free.
If you give to Jesus what you cherish best
your life will always be eternally blessed.

© 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.

Devotional Poem

The Donkey and His Cross
By Larry Linville

(based on the Legend of the “Little Gray Donkey.”)

A story is told many years ago.
It is a legend I think you should know.
A little gray donkey gave Mary a ride
as Joseph walked bravely right by her side
Bethlehem was where they both had to go
And the donkey had to struggle so slow.
He traveled with very much donkey pride
for the treasure Mary carried inside.

That donkey’s descendant wasn’t so calm
as he bore Christ on the day of the palm.
He saw people cheer and he saw them shout
as he followed the Jerusalem route.
Later in the week he was standing near
on Calvary’s hill and he heard them jeer.
His heart was sad and it ached to the core
knowing he had not fulfilled his chore

The cross wasn’t something for Christ to bear.
He reasoned “I should have carried it there.”
He grieved as he turned his back to the sight
and bowed his head as he felt so contrite.
In honor of his loyalty and love
Christ looked on him from his perch up above.
He caused a shadow to fall on his back
to leave an image of the darkest black

If you look at a gray donkey today
you’ll notice this honor is there to stay
as a mark to remind us of the great love
which that donkey received from God above.

© 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.

Getting Ready for Lent 3

Pastor Arlin led us yesterday to examine God's provision of the impossible with Abram and Sarai. He looked at the covenant God made.

Next Sunday Pastor Larry will look at the covenant we commonly know as the Ten Commandments. Sermon: "God's Covenant with Israel." Exodus 20:1-17. We will place this covenant against the background of their freedom of slavery.

We will learn that the covenant is a guide to people who have received a new freedom. It helps them understand how to live in right relationships with God and with their sisters and brothers.

Again, read the scripture several times and invite someone to worship with us next week.

Lenten Devotional reading

I Heard the Stones Cry Out
By Larry Linville

When Jesus rode that donkey into town
I found a big stone and then I sat down.
Leaders told Jesus to make them be still
an act he wasn’t about to fulfill.
As he looked and saw so many folks shout
He said, “If they stop, the stones will cry out.”

On that Friday on Golgotha I stood
and wondered aloud “how can this be good?”
When he took his last breath all noise quit
I went to a rock -- I just had to sit
and I thought I heard -- but sometimes I must doubt --
that there were some stones that just had to shout.

© 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.

Lenten Devotional reading

Moses and Lent
By Larry Linville

Moses led God’s children
toward a great promised land.
When they finally got there
they found it was so grand.

The forty years they traveled
required great dedication
before they reached the blessing
they went through great frustration.

Lent is a forty day quest
with much sacrifice and search.
Instead of living in a desert
we spend much time at church.

They followed Moses each day
through all the thick and thin.
We follow just as they did
with a promised land to win.

The manna and the quail
sustained them on their quest
just as God provides for us
as we daily face each test.

© 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.

The Spies and Lent
By Larry Linville

Scripture: Numbers 13:25

Moses sent twelve young men into the promised land.
It took forty days for this shaky little band.
Ten of them came back with a real negative view.
The others felt that their God could help them get through.

When we enter our lent quest toward a promised land
our success is set up by our positive stand.
We can side with the ten and fall on our face
or follow the two and improve the human race.

Lent is a time to consider all of our odds
and where we have been following other gods
as we turn our thoughts to what God can do with us
as He turns our negative lives to a big plus.

© 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.

A Lenten Devotion

Goliath And Lent
By Larry Linville

1 Samuel 17:16

That giant strutted out each day
his sadistic way to play.
Morning and evening he appeared.
Each time all the people feared.

Forty days Goliath taunted
the Israelites were feeling haunted.
His egotism matched his size
unaware of his big surprise.

It only took one little stone
by a shepherd standing all alone
to bring that giant down to size
and walk away with the prize.

The forty days of Lent my friend
helps us, like David, to ascend
against the strutting giants we face
and win the battle with God’s grace.

© 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.

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Friday, March 6th is the night and Paradise UMC is the place.
6;30 pm is the time for the best meal in Clay County.
Corned Beef and Cabbage to celebrate this month of the Irish.
You are invited to make a donation for our Ukelele ministry.

Besides all that, you have a chance to have good fellowship and there may be some good much as a group sits around with guitars, banjos, ukes, madolins, violins, etc.

C U there.

Worship for March 8, 2009

We started our series on God's Covenants last week.
This week Pastor Arlin will lead us to look at the covenant with Abram. You may read about this at Genesis 17:1-16. Because of their advanced age, Abram and Sarai show us that God's grace does for us what it is humanly impossible for us to do.

Please read the scripture several times this week and bring a friend with you for the services on Sunday.

Devotional Poem

Elijah and Lent
By Larry Linville

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:16

Fasting in reverse was Elijah’s flair.
He ate and then went to Mount Horeb where
he waiting forty long days there on high
and was filled with blessings as God passed by.

He ate before hunger covered his bed.
At that time he was spiritually fed.
His hunger was turned away from all food
and he was in a God-searching mood.

God comes to us in a mighty way
when physical hungers are put away
and we place ourselves in the path of God
where patiently wait to be deeply awed.

© 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.

First Sunday in Lent

At the service today I am using a poem that will go with the sermon about Noah and God's Covenant with the Rainbow. I include the poem here for your use as devotional reading.

The Flood and Lent
Larry Linville

Scripture: Gen. 7:12

God saw the world was full of sin
and wanted to start over again.
Noah received a special mission
to build a boat that wasn’t for fishin’.

He loaded up animals two by two
and set off in his big floating zoo.
Forty days and forty nights it rained
but Noah’s family was sustained.

The church is symbolized by a boat
which the Holy Spirit keeps afloat.
We can get closer to God at Lent
when more time with the church is spent.

Our forty day Lenten journey can lead
to overcoming things that impede
in our efforts to start over anew
and do the things we know we should do.

© 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.

Lenten Devotional reading

I will try to add serveral poems from my book as a source for your devotional reading during the lented season. I may not make one every day but I'll do my best. If you have a friend who does not have a computer, why not download the poems and share with them for their devotional reading?

Pastor Larry


Giving Up or Adding To?
Larry Linville

What are you giving up for Lent
they ask with great expectation.
Such a negative question
leaves me with a great frustration.

They give up candy and other sweets
and even things they hate to eat.
The more they hate these dreadful foods
the more they are sure not to cheat.

What’s to gain by this silly approach
that helps us to grow during Lent
running around telling everyone
about giving up things we lament?

Wouldn’t it help to grow in our faith
if we added good things to our life
like doing those kind acts to others
which seems to bring end to much strife?

An act of kindness to others around
should help our devotion to grow
with our hearts doing useful things
which allow God great love to flow.

Don’t ask me what I’m giving up
but ask what extra I’m doing
and pray as I tackle my list
of kind acts I am pursuing.

© 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.

First Sunday in Lent

We will have a series during Lent about "Covenants." We will look at the covenants from Noah to Abram to Moses, to Jeremiah and the place Jesus is as the New Covenant. A covenant in the bible is an agreement between God and humans.

On Sunday, we will begin with the sermon: "God's Covenant with Noah." The rainbow to the left was a sign to remind God of the promise not to flood the earth again. You may read about this story from Genesis 9:8-17. Pastor Larry will lead us to see how God's grace was at work and how it can help us during this time of Lent.

We had a wonderful Ash Wednesday service and Pastor Arlin gave us some guidance on what to do during Lent to prepare yourself for the good news of Easter. He encouraged us to: Prayer, Bible Study, devotional reading, fasting, etc. One of the things on the list is worship. You will want to attend worship each Sunday of Lent and allow this series on covenants to help you grow spiritually.

Since it is the first Sunday of the month, we will be celebrating Holy Communion. This service helps us to remember the "new covenant".

Please be in prayer for our services and bring friends with you.

ASH WEDNESDAY

Lent begins with ASH WEDNESDAY. It is a timeout we take from our busy world to make plans for the lenten season. We look at our lives and try to make a decision we will move closer to God during these next 40 days. It was an old Hebrew practice to repent of our wrong doings with sackcloth and ashes. Christians have used this for centries by applying ashes to the forehead or hands as such an act of confession of sin and commitment to change.

We will gather on February 25 at 7 pm. NOTICE THE CHANGE OF TIME. Most things we do at 6:30 but this will be at 7 pm. We will have a very special service. Pastor Arlin will preach and both pastors will lead the service which will include the administration of ashes.

Please plan to join us at this service. This can give us a great start to have a meaningful Lent which will in turn make Easter of day of great celebration.

Thoughts from Pastor Larry

You saw him give the benediction at the inaugeration. He was co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Confererence. He is a United Methodist minister. He is 87 years old. His name is Dr. Joseph E. Lowery and he was at Saint Paul School of Theology on Tuesday.

I sat there in awe to be in the presence of a man of God who put his life on the line back in those early days of the civil rights movement. He shared his experiences with the audience in such a positive way. His sense of humor prevailed. He said that on the day of his benediction in Washington D.C. it was a shame that there were 1 to 2 million people there and nobody took an offering!

I am so thankful I was able to listen to this man for nearly 45 minutes (which seemed like 15). I could have skipped going. I had all kinds of reasons to do something else. By going, I was filled with such great inspiration. This is such a lesson to me: when we have a chance to be with God and our sisters and brother in a worship service -- we need to be there. We never know when there will be a special outpouring of God's spirit.

Worship on February 22, 2009

Well, we are ready to conclude our sermons from Corinthians. On Sunday, Pastor Arlin will reach into 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 for a sermon: "The Light of the Gospel." This has been a good series and the response of the congregation has been great. As you prepare for the concluding sermon, take the time to read the scripture several times. It's only 4 verses.

Following this sermon we will be prepared to enter the season of Lent. We will start that on Wednesday, February 25th with our Ash Wednesday services. This will be a special service as we look at our lives and begin the 40 day journey toward Easter.

We will have a Lenten series on "Covenant." We will look at the meaning of "covenant". We'll look at covenants through the Old Testament and will conclude with the place of Jesus in move the covenant another notch.

Diapers

Our mission collection this month is diapers. This is important to share with young families with children. It looked like there was a pretty good stack of diapers last week and we can increase it the rest of the month.

A reminder that "changes are being made"!

A New Week

We had a great time at worship yesterday. The crowd was good, singing was good, special music was good. Now we're ready to do it again.

Feb. 15th we will concentrate on 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Sermon title is: "Disciples in Training." Paul uses sports images to talk about how we must discipline ourselves like athletes if we are to be the kind of followers Jesus can use. We hope to have a video clip from the movie: "Facing The Giants." This clip shows how a football player has to take control of his body. We need the same effort to strengthen our spirit.

Even though the Super Bowl is over and the Pro Bowl is over, we will have one more week of football at Paradise. Look around and see who you can invite to join us.

Soups On!

First Friday Feast is February 6th at 6:30 pm.
This month it is soup. Yum, yum.
This is a meal you don't have to fix -- just show up.
You will have the opportunity to make a small donation which will go to the mission work of the church.
Then, there will be a lot of good fellowship. Sometimes people even bring musical instruments and jam.

This is an excellent time to bring a friend. Once a person is inside a church, it's easier to return.

Weather will be near perfect. Let's take advantage of it. You know the weather will get bad again soon, so come out and enjoy it now.

If you have checked in on this blog and would like to come join us --- we'd love to have you with us.

Pod Casts from Paradise

DID YOU KNOW you could listen to recent sermons from our pastors?
Go to our website: www.cometoparadise.org
on the right hand site you will see the words "pod cast".
How fortunate we are to have this available for us.
It gives you a chance to review a sermon.
Maybe you'll hear something you missed.
You may also refer it to a friend who does not go to church.
They can listen to a sermon without being trapped in a church.
They might say, "Those old boys have something to say!"

Thanks to our media people who have made this possible for us.

Getting Ready for Feb. 8th

Yesterday, Pastor Arlin started us out on our study of Corinthians. On Feb. 8th, Pastor Larry will lead us into 1 Cor. 9:16-23 and talk about how we can be "All Things To All People." This is very important to help us be hospitable with persons who are without a church relationship.

We will have a time of fellowship on Friday night, Feb. 6, at 6:30 with soup. Bring a friend and gather to have good soup and good fellowship. Who knows, there may even be some musical instruments show up!

In our day with all the problems surrounding us, we need the support of the church, the growth we receive by being active in the church and the opportunity to share this with others.

Our Corinthian series will continue through the end of the month:
Feb. 15 - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - "Disciples in Training". Pastor Larry
Feb. 22 - 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 - "The Light of the Gospel."

New Series Coming up

As we enter the month of February, the pastors will be preaching from the epistles to the Corinthians. The Corinthian church was a troublesome church. We have 2 letters but some scholars believe there may have been as many as 4 letters written. Paul's authority was challenged. Paul faced the problems between Jewish and Gentile Christians.

Next Sunday, Pastor Arlin will preach from 1 Cor. 8-13 and he is calling his sermon: "Sensitivity Training." Paul is in the midst of talking about food sacrificed to idols as well as people who believe they have special knowledge. These issues could divide the church. Paul is calling for a special sensitivity in dealing with people.

Do you suppose we need to learn how to be sensitive to the people around us? Duh!

Again, read the scripture several times during this week and pray for Pastor Arlin as he prepares for next week. When we do a series of sermons, they overlap, so it's important to be there as much as possible so you will not miss something.

Change

During the night on Monday night I started making trips to the bathroom. I was worshipping at the porcelain throne (to put it delicately). As the light of Tuesday approached I was still feeling bad. I laid around all day sipping on diet 7-Up. Because of this I was exposed to so much of the Innauguration. The only parts of it I missed was when I was in the bathroom or asleep.

There were so many historic things. We have our first black (mixed race) president. It was the largest crowd for such an event. Our new president has an unbelievable approval rating. It is one of the times that people of all parties are willing to give the new person a chance to succeed.

But there's another reason I write about this. Just as we made an orderly change in our national life, there is a need to make changes in our lives as Christians. If we make no changes in our spiritual life, we will not just stay the same, we will actually lose our momentum.

We have celebrated the birth of Jesus and we have made resolutions or set new goals. We have renewed our vows and we have examined the first disciples who responded to the invitation "come and see."

Our new president called on all citizens to sacrifice and give of our time to help solve the nations problems. Your pastors call on you to examine your spiritual life. Are you involved in Bible study? We could add another table for Sunday School. We will continue to dedicate ourselves as your pastors to search God's Word and share it during the sermons. The church will continue to reach out to the community through our mission efforts. Our youth will continue to be active and we, as adults, will help them grow.

We will continue to look for persons who do not have the joy of having a church family to become a part of our church family. Perhaps you are having difficulty getting the nerve to invite someone to church. Sacrafice! Take a chance! It becomes easier the more we do it.

Let us recommit ourselves to praying for our church. Presently, both pastor have been trying to get over this "creeping crud" which is going around. We request your prayer for us to both feel better. We request your prayers for us as we work on the sermons and other things which are important for us to be the best leaders we could possibly be.

May you all be in good health and may you grow in your spiritual health.

Pastor Larry

Why Did Others Begin Following Jesus?

Pastor Arlin will use Mark 1:14-22 to share a sermon "Why did others begin following Jesus?" This will conclude our series following Christmas. Last Sunday you were challenged to invite others to "come and see" and Pastor Arlin will take it the next step. We hope this will encourage us all to be conscious of our opportunities to share the gospel with other people in a non-threatening way.

In February we will start a series from the Corinthian letters. Want to know what they will be?
Feb. 1 - Pastor Arlin - 1 Cor. 8:1-13 "Sensitivity Training."
Feb. 8 - Pastor Larry - 1 Cor. 9:16-23 "All Things to All People."
Feb. 15 - Pastor Larry - 1 Cor. 9:24-27 "Disciples in Training."
Feb. 22 - Pastor Arlin - 2 Cor. 4:3-6 "The Light of the Gospel.

Lent will feature a series on "Covenant".
After Easter we will have a series from 1 John on "Christian Maintenance."

Your pastors are planning ahead with the hopes we will be able to give you spiritual food. Please join us each week by prayer, reading the scripture and inviting others to join us.

New Membership Vows

The United Methodist at our last General Conference added another word to the membership vows. We have always asked: "As members of this congregation, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service?"

Now the phrase "witness." "With your prayers, prayers, gifts, witness and service."

Isn't this an important addition?

One would assume witness was a part of service, but not specifically. The church grows as we witness to our faith.

Since we renewed our vows last Sunday, perhaps we should all pause and say, "P.S. God, I also promise my witness!"

Bob Farr's third point is:
"This is a church, not a YMCA with a prayer."
He points out that it is easy to believe activity is ministry.
We need to be sure our activities are minister to persons and giving them an opportunity to draw closer to God.

Look at his scripture: Luke 10:38-42.

Leadership tips

We've been sharing ten tiips for leadership and growth from Rev. Bob Farr. The second one is:

"If you're going to lead you're going to bleed."
He shares that real leadership means we will take heat. We won't make people happy with every decision they make.
He reminds us that making no decision is a decision.
The scripture he gives us to stury this is: Luke 9:21-27

Great Opportunity Coming Up

There is a special meeting coming up the end of the month and we need to have a lot of people there. It could make our church more effective. Here it is.

"GOOD IDEAS FOR SMALL CHURCHES"
SATURDAY, JAN. 31, 2009 -- LEXINGTON UMC
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Morning keynote speaker: Dr. Shannon Jung, professor, Town and Country Ministries, Saint Paul School of Theology. Her topic: "Small Churches Reaching the Poor: The Gift that Gives."

There will be 5 workshops and we need to have someone in each of the workshops.

1. Your Church and Your Public Schools led by Rev. Susan Cox-Johnson
2. Assessing the Needs of Your Community -- leader to ber announced.
3. Revitalizating Worship in the Small Church -- leader to be announced.
4. Praying Outward: Building Spiritual Passio for the Unchurched/Unseen of your Community.
led by Rev. Ginger Pudenz
5. Even More Ministry Ideas for Your Church and the Poor of Your Community led by Dr. Jung.


Let's pray about this and see how many people we can take with us.

What's coming up?

We had a good experience on Sunday as we renewed our vows of baptism and church membership and remembered our baptism. I hope the stone you have will remind you regularly of your vows. I hope you will also be reminded that you are God's child and God is well pleased with you.

Our series will continue on Sunday with a sermon: "Why Did Men Want To Be Jesus' Disciples." Read John 1:43-51. We will look at the call of Philip and his sharing it with Nathaniel. We'll even look at Evan Almighty in the call to build an ark. What are you called to do? How are you a disciple?

Let's go back to the leadership tips from Bob Farr that we had in the last blog. We did number 10 so let's go back to number 1: "Put some skin in the game." We need to be personally involved like a shepherd. read John 10:1-17

Leadership

The Reverend Bob Farr is the Director of the Center for Congregational Excellence. In a recent publication from the Annual Conference, Bob has an article with 10 tips for leadership and growth. They are all good and we'll try to bring them to you, but let's start with number ten. It's like eating dessert first.

"The Horse Is Dead - dismount." Bob tells us:
"the way of doing church today is changing in leaps and bounds. The church has moved so far away from the church that any notion of doing ministry in the way were were taught will only lead to more frustration and a further decline in relevance and participation."

He adds: "The Gospel is timeless, but its presentation has always changed to meet the culture where it was at, not to leave it there but rather to change it into authentic followers of Jesus Christ."

At Paradise, we will continue to look for creative ways to present the grace of God to the community in ways it can be understood. That will make our faith more meaningful in our lives and something we are compelled to share.

Ready For Sunday?

A friend asked why our blog hadn't been changed and I said we changed it several times this week. I looked and we had an entry on Sunday and another on Monday. Nothing since then.

The activities for Jan. 11th are included on Monday so there wasn't much more to add. All we can do is ask if you are prepared to be in Sunday School and Worship on Sunday? The sermon is nearly ready. Hopefully, you've read the scriptures and invited someone to come with you. The weather is supposed to be bad on Saturday but turn nice for Sunday.

I guess there is a lesson here. I thought I had entered several entries but I had not. Sometimes we think we have done the things for God that we need to do but we really haven't. We need to constantly check on our progress.

On Sunday we'll have the opportunity to review the vows we took when we joined the church and check on our progress. Seems like it will be worthwhile. See you Sunday.

Pastor Larry

Renewing Our Covenant with God

It is always good to remember the covenant you have made with God and renew it regularly.
The first Sunday after Epiphany is called "Baptism of the Lord." Each year the gospel lesson is about Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist.

One common practice is to use this Sunday for a "Remembering Your Baptism" service. In our hymnal there are 3 services for baptism plus the 4th which is for this service. During this service we go through all the prayers and questions of the baptism but we don't "put water on anyone." You will have an opportunity to watch to the front of the church an look into a container of water and remember your baptism.

Now, some of you may not have been baptized. That's OK. In such a case you will be invited to "anticipate" the day you will be baptized. This would be appropriate for children who have not been baptized as well as adults who have not yet made that decision.

Those who have been baptized, even if it was in another denomination, you can renew the vows you made when you were baptized.

The sermon will be the second in the series Pastor Arlin and Pastor Larry are preaching. Pastor Arlin started it by looking at "Why wise persons choose to follow Jesus." This week Pastor Larry will look at "Why Did Jesus Want To Be Baptized?" Scripture is Mark 1:4-11. Remember you are better prepared to hear the sermon if you have read this scripture several times during the week.

You might want to read the scripture first through the eyes of John the Baptist.
Then you may want to read it through the eyes of Jesus.
Then you may read it as one of the onlookers.

Bring a friend and let's have a great time of worship.

Benefits from tag team pastors

Reflections from Pastor Larry

As we moved into Advent I found myself being at Paradise 4 weeks in a row, even though I only preached 2 of them. Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy being at Paradise. It did give a feel of the days when I served a church alone.

Today I attended North Star for the second week in a row. I was able to walk in and greet people and then take a seat and have a pastor feed my spirit. After the service we went out to eat and I was actually in front of my TV before noon. I remember thinking, "They are just about ready to take communion at Paradise!"

Then I realized one of the dangers of a pastor is that we spend so much time tending to the spiritual needs of the church members that it is easy to neglect one's own spiritual life. I had times in my past where my spiritual level was low enough that it even made it difficult to prepare good sermons.

So, I give thanks that we have this special arrangement at Paradise. I believe it blesses your pastors by allow us to re-charge our spiritual batteries. It also benefits the church members because your pastors are better prepared to give strong spiritual direction to the church.

I wasn't sure how this experiment was going to work. Now, each month I am more impressed by what we are experiencing.

Pastor Larry

January 4, 2009 Worship

"Why the Wise Chose Jesus." Matthew 2:1-12.
That is the sermon Pastor Arlin will preach this Sunday.
It is the first of a series of sermons our pastors will preach in January.

Why do you think the wise choose Jesus?
Do you know wise persons who haven't chosen Jesus? Perhaps they are waiting to be invited to hear this sermon. Bring them with you on Sunday.

Remember Sunday School starts at 10 am and Worship follows at 11.

This is also the first Sunday of the month so we will have communion.
Our Communion is open to EVERYONE.

Happy New Year.