*Great Thanks to Steve Chan for leading the Sunday School study "Between Heaven and Mirth." May those who participated be blessed with an extra measure of joy and laughter in their spiritual lives. Next week, we begin a new 5 week study with Pastor Emily and guests on Radical Hospitality. You are encouraged to participate and go deeper into one of our 4 ministry priorities. Sunday School begins promptly at 9:30 a.m. in the Annex. You are requested to be on time!
*Sundays of Uniting Prayer (SOUP) Begins - All are invited to follow the sound of the gong to the Annex following worship for a time of silence, reflection, sharing, and prayer. Great thanks to our soup providers today: Gloria, Burt & Jane, as well as Peggy, our bread provider!
*Prayer Invitation: Please hold Cyrus Ng and Jacinto Obrera in prayer through Lent as they prepare for baptism and confirmation.
*Need a LIFT? Then, here’s some good news for you. But, let’s start with another easier question. What do 3 choruses, a women’s orchestra and Aeri have in common? Give up? They're all part of a benefit concert for the Food Pantry at Lake Merritt UMC on Sat., Mar. 29th, at 4:00 p.m. As partners with LMUMC for the past 4 years, we’ve had wonderful experiences in helping to feed the community. Let's go further by enabling them to purchase the food we distribute. Benefit ticket prices are Student/Seniors: $20; Gen. Admission, $30; Premium Seating, $50. Please contact Burt for tickets. Cash donations are also joyfully accepted.
*Stay on top of CCUMC news! Bookmark our blogspot on your computer, smart phone, or tablet at http://chinesecommunityumc.blogspot.com/.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Forgiveness - Peter Enns
Forgiveness does not mean that we make believe the injustice never happened, or make light of it. It does not mean we leave ourselves open to abuse. It means we cease harboring ill against the other. We let it go.
Forgiveness does not depend on our ability to bring the other to the same realization. Our forgiveness must commence regardless of the other. We can only make the decision for ourselves to move to the center. We cannot force the other to take that same step. We cannot control the other. We can only control ourselves.
Forgiveness is not for the weak, for it means letting go of our need for justice. It is easier to forgive if we feel some guarantee that justice will be delivered in the near future. But that is not forgiveness.
Forgiveness looks only within, what we can do. It does not think of what should be done to the other.
When we focus on the injustice that has been done, it will become the dominant thought, and so we might be tempted to be God’s instrument of justice, to help things along. That makes forgiveness impossible.
If we call upon God to bring justice, he will begin with us, not with the other. So, we should not call down justice upon the other. The role we have been given is to forgive. Justice is what God will do, mercifully.
When we forgive, we are reminded of the mercy that has been shown to us. When we forgive even the most malicious of acts, we begin to see–only then can we see–how we have been forgiven.
When we forgive, we know God more clearly.
Even when the wrong done to us carries with it such an overpowering sense of malice, when we are filled with disgrace, humiliation, isolation–even then we forgive. Especially then.
Because,
When we feel this way, we have the privilege of experiencing something of what Jesus felt–disgrace, humiliation, isolation.
Jesus forgave, and when we forgive, we are most like him.
Following Jesus means forgiving.
Forgiveness is about deciding what kind of person you want to be, what path you will walk, what kind of life you want to live. It is a decision to conform to the image of Christ. That decision is before us moment by moment, and more often than we might think.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
English Ministry News and Notes 3-2-14
*Great Thanks to our team of youth for planning, designing, and leading worship today. Please personally greet them and share your encouragement as well as reflections after worship!
*LMUMC Food Pantry Ministry Day - Saturday, Mar. 8th. Thanks to all those who came to the recent review and discernment gathering about our partnership with Lake Merritt. Please join us in prayer as we consider where God is calling us to serve in the coming year.
*We Celebrate the Beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, Mar. 5th @ 7:00 p.m. - You are warmly invited to begin this special season together on Wednesday. We give thanks to Pastor Meina and Aeri for lending their leadership to this time.
*Ready for Sundays of Uniting Prayer (SOUP)? We will observe the 6 Sundays in Lent with a bowl (or two) of hot, delicious, homemade soup and by going deeper into our theme of forgiveness starting next Sunday, Mar. 9th. You are warmly invited to go from worship in the sanctuary directly to the Annex following worship each Sunday. Great, big thanks to all our soup makers and bread bringer!
*New Sunday School Series to Begin Mar. 16th - Pastor Emily will be leading a 5 week exploration of radical hospitality during the 9:30 a.m. hour. This is one of our 4 ministry priorities that God has called us to. You are strongly encouraged to make time for community learning, reflection, and growing!
*Lift Concert - A benefit for the food pantry at LMUMC on March 29, 4pm. Aeri Lee will be performing among other featured talents. See insert for more info.
*LMUMC Food Pantry Ministry Day - Saturday, Mar. 8th. Thanks to all those who came to the recent review and discernment gathering about our partnership with Lake Merritt. Please join us in prayer as we consider where God is calling us to serve in the coming year.
*We Celebrate the Beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, Mar. 5th @ 7:00 p.m. - You are warmly invited to begin this special season together on Wednesday. We give thanks to Pastor Meina and Aeri for lending their leadership to this time.
*Ready for Sundays of Uniting Prayer (SOUP)? We will observe the 6 Sundays in Lent with a bowl (or two) of hot, delicious, homemade soup and by going deeper into our theme of forgiveness starting next Sunday, Mar. 9th. You are warmly invited to go from worship in the sanctuary directly to the Annex following worship each Sunday. Great, big thanks to all our soup makers and bread bringer!
*New Sunday School Series to Begin Mar. 16th - Pastor Emily will be leading a 5 week exploration of radical hospitality during the 9:30 a.m. hour. This is one of our 4 ministry priorities that God has called us to. You are strongly encouraged to make time for community learning, reflection, and growing!
*Lift Concert - A benefit for the food pantry at LMUMC on March 29, 4pm. Aeri Lee will be performing among other featured talents. See insert for more info.
Forgiveness: A Lenten Study
A few weeks ago, a simple survey was handed out during worship inviting your input to this year’s Lenten theme. Each year, we have observed the season of Lent as a special time to focus on spiritual practice – things we can do with intention and regularity to deepen and strengthen our relationship to God. My first year here, we explored prayer, for example, and last year, discernment. We integrated the theme into both our time of worship as well as Sundays of Uniting Prayer (SOUP), a special time following worship each Sunday. I have heard from many people how meaningful this season is and how much they have appreciated this time of going deep with a spiritual practice. On that recent survey, two possibilities were provided: Forgiveness and Sabbath. In addition, there was space for you to suggest a new possibility. Great thanks to each who responded. It was through your input, that Forgiveness was designated as this year’s theme.
Why forgiveness? In the introduction to her Lenten study, Marjorie Thompson points to the title of Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s book titled, “No Future Without Forgiveness.” She invites us to consider that, truly, “without forgiveness there is no future worthy of human life and community as God surely intended them to be in the originating vision of Creation.” Put positively, forgiveness is a key and essential ingredient to life-giving, meaningful, God-filled relationships. We need forgiveness in order to survive as friends, spouses, family, co-workers, and Christian community. In fact, Thompson reminds us that “[t]here is no Christianity without forgiveness.” She goes on to say, “It is impossible to conceive of any expression of Christian discipleship that ignores or excludes a virtue so central to the good news.” Not only is forgiveness essential to all of our relationships then, it is indispensable as a practice for us as followers of Jesus. Do you believe that? Has that been your experience?
My guess is that even if we believe in the importance of forgiveness and understand it as a cornerstone to our living of faith, most if not all of us find this spiritual practice incredibly challenging and difficult. It feels different from prayer, for example. While with prayer, we may see it more as a matter of scheduling it in our calendars, forgiveness brings with it complicated feelings, emotions, and thoughts. It carries the weight of anger, hurt, or resentment with it. Moreover, it often involves another person or persons. The practice of it, therefore, feels a little more tricky and definitely more risky. So…are you ready to dive in, or at the very least, dip your toes into the waters? I surely do hope so and assure you that we will walk this journey together.
Here are our themes for the next six weeks:
Mar. 9th – Beginnings (Luke 15:11-32)
Mar. 16th – Self Examination: Prelude to Forgiveness (Psalm 510 and 139)
Mar. 23rd – Honesty: Engaging the Inner Struggle (Matt 5:43-48 and 7:1-6)
Mar. 30th – Repentance: Getting a New Mind (Luke 23:32-43)
Apr. 6th – Forgiving: Embracing Freedom (Matt 18:23-35)
Apr. 13th – Beginning Again: Reconciliation and Restoration (Luke 7:36-47)
My prayer is that this Lenten season, we will encounter the mighty movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives as we open ourselves to the healing of old wounds, the letting go of past hurts and judgments, and being set free in our relationships, both with those closest to us and with those right here in this faith community.
Peace & Grace, Emily
Why forgiveness? In the introduction to her Lenten study, Marjorie Thompson points to the title of Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s book titled, “No Future Without Forgiveness.” She invites us to consider that, truly, “without forgiveness there is no future worthy of human life and community as God surely intended them to be in the originating vision of Creation.” Put positively, forgiveness is a key and essential ingredient to life-giving, meaningful, God-filled relationships. We need forgiveness in order to survive as friends, spouses, family, co-workers, and Christian community. In fact, Thompson reminds us that “[t]here is no Christianity without forgiveness.” She goes on to say, “It is impossible to conceive of any expression of Christian discipleship that ignores or excludes a virtue so central to the good news.” Not only is forgiveness essential to all of our relationships then, it is indispensable as a practice for us as followers of Jesus. Do you believe that? Has that been your experience?
My guess is that even if we believe in the importance of forgiveness and understand it as a cornerstone to our living of faith, most if not all of us find this spiritual practice incredibly challenging and difficult. It feels different from prayer, for example. While with prayer, we may see it more as a matter of scheduling it in our calendars, forgiveness brings with it complicated feelings, emotions, and thoughts. It carries the weight of anger, hurt, or resentment with it. Moreover, it often involves another person or persons. The practice of it, therefore, feels a little more tricky and definitely more risky. So…are you ready to dive in, or at the very least, dip your toes into the waters? I surely do hope so and assure you that we will walk this journey together.
Here are our themes for the next six weeks:
Mar. 9th – Beginnings (Luke 15:11-32)
Mar. 16th – Self Examination: Prelude to Forgiveness (Psalm 510 and 139)
Mar. 23rd – Honesty: Engaging the Inner Struggle (Matt 5:43-48 and 7:1-6)
Mar. 30th – Repentance: Getting a New Mind (Luke 23:32-43)
Apr. 6th – Forgiving: Embracing Freedom (Matt 18:23-35)
Apr. 13th – Beginning Again: Reconciliation and Restoration (Luke 7:36-47)
My prayer is that this Lenten season, we will encounter the mighty movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives as we open ourselves to the healing of old wounds, the letting go of past hurts and judgments, and being set free in our relationships, both with those closest to us and with those right here in this faith community.
Peace & Grace, Emily
Sunday, February 23, 2014
English Ministry News and Notes 2-23-14
*Youth Lead Sunday - Our youth will be leading all of worship next Sunday, Mar. 2nd, including the sermon! You are encouraged to pray for them this week and cheer them on next week!
*Adventures in Faith Monthly Chapel - Our monthly chapel for the 60+ students of the Homework Club will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 26th. We will gather for a run through at 2:00 p.m. If you are interested in participating, please connect with Becky, Donna, or Pastor Emily.
*Let's Begin the Season of Lent Together - You are warmly invited to celebrate the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, Mar. 5th, at 7:00 p.m. This is a special worship that enables us to enter the season with intention. Small Group Ministries will not meet that week but attend Ash Wednesday together.
*Observe Lent with S.O.U.P. - We celebrate our 5th year of Sundays of Uniting Prayer (SOUP) beginning the first Sunday of Lent, Mar. 9th. Immediately after worship, we will gather in the Annex for a bowl of delicious homemade soup and bread, a time of silence and meditation, as well as a period of small group reflections and prayer. All are invited! Great thanks to this year's crew of soup-makers and bread provider. There is just one Sunday left open to sign up for soup making.
*Adventures in Faith Monthly Chapel - Our monthly chapel for the 60+ students of the Homework Club will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 26th. We will gather for a run through at 2:00 p.m. If you are interested in participating, please connect with Becky, Donna, or Pastor Emily.
*Let's Begin the Season of Lent Together - You are warmly invited to celebrate the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, Mar. 5th, at 7:00 p.m. This is a special worship that enables us to enter the season with intention. Small Group Ministries will not meet that week but attend Ash Wednesday together.
*Observe Lent with S.O.U.P. - We celebrate our 5th year of Sundays of Uniting Prayer (SOUP) beginning the first Sunday of Lent, Mar. 9th. Immediately after worship, we will gather in the Annex for a bowl of delicious homemade soup and bread, a time of silence and meditation, as well as a period of small group reflections and prayer. All are invited! Great thanks to this year's crew of soup-makers and bread provider. There is just one Sunday left open to sign up for soup making.
7 Ways to Make Bad Decisions - Ron Edmondson
I’ve made lots of bad decisions in my life. That includes my time in leadership — both in business and ministry, but I’ve also made plenty of bad decisions in family and personal situations. None of us set out to make bad decisions, but sometimes the way we make them can significantly increase or decrease the chance the quality of our decisions.
Granted, I’ve learned from every bad decision I’ve made. And, I’ve even repeated a few of them a few times — and still learned something. But, as much as I can, I want to make better decisions — the first time.
In my experience, there are a few common factors that lead to me making a bad decision. Here are 7 ways to make bad decisions:
Make them too fast – I’ve learned that haste does indeed make waste. I make lots of decisions each day. I would be a poor leader if I couldn’t make most of them quickly. I’d always be stalled from my potential. When the potential outcome is significant, however, the more time I can give to it the less likely I am to make a mistake - certainly the ones that could have been avoided with more thought. Learning when to wait, seek God, the counsel of others and for better personal discernment is part of maturing, but can help us avoid some of the more costly bad decisions.
Make them too slow – Equally true, there are times when a fast decision is easy; even prudent. If I know the right answer - if it has a Biblical basis, for example, or my conscience is clearly convicted - but it is simply hard to implement, I’ve learned that waiting seldom makes the decision easier and often only complicates the process. I’m more likely to make a bad decision the longer I wait.
Make them to keep people happy – The right decision is seldom the popular decision. People pleasing as a decision motivator rarely accomplishes matters of worth. It often makes the worst decision of the options available.
Make them when angry – I don’t know about you, but I don’t think clearly when my emotions get in the way. If I’m angry - or emotional in any other way - I tend to overreact or under react. Emotionally based decisions, especially immediate decisions, are often ones I tend to regret later.
Make them alone – “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22) A part of leadership involves standing alone at times, but rarely are we really alone. We should always walk in the counsel of God’s Spirit, and, in my experience, even when I have to make the decision seemingly alone - if I’m making wise decisions - it’s not really that I’m alone. I’m just ahead of where others know we need to go, but haven’t yet been willing to go. Building a collaborative environment as much as possible helps me avoid bad decisions.
Make them reactionary – Ultimately we want to work from a plan. We want to make decisions before the decision is needed. We want proactive decision-making. That’s obviously not always possible, but in my experience, I’m more likely to make a bad decision when I’m reacting to a situation, rather than having thought about the scenario and my response beforehand.
Make them out of fear – We are called to walk by faith, yet fear is often a more powerful initiator. But, I’ve learned, when I decide because I’m afraid to - or not to - do something, I almost always make a mistake. Following my faith gut, even when afraid, is part of leadership. And, part of life.
I’m sure there are many other ways to make a bad decision. These are some of my personal examples.
Which of these get in your way the most in making good decisions?
What are some ways you end up making bad decisions?
Granted, I’ve learned from every bad decision I’ve made. And, I’ve even repeated a few of them a few times — and still learned something. But, as much as I can, I want to make better decisions — the first time.
In my experience, there are a few common factors that lead to me making a bad decision. Here are 7 ways to make bad decisions:
Make them too fast – I’ve learned that haste does indeed make waste. I make lots of decisions each day. I would be a poor leader if I couldn’t make most of them quickly. I’d always be stalled from my potential. When the potential outcome is significant, however, the more time I can give to it the less likely I am to make a mistake - certainly the ones that could have been avoided with more thought. Learning when to wait, seek God, the counsel of others and for better personal discernment is part of maturing, but can help us avoid some of the more costly bad decisions.
Make them too slow – Equally true, there are times when a fast decision is easy; even prudent. If I know the right answer - if it has a Biblical basis, for example, or my conscience is clearly convicted - but it is simply hard to implement, I’ve learned that waiting seldom makes the decision easier and often only complicates the process. I’m more likely to make a bad decision the longer I wait.
Make them to keep people happy – The right decision is seldom the popular decision. People pleasing as a decision motivator rarely accomplishes matters of worth. It often makes the worst decision of the options available.
Make them when angry – I don’t know about you, but I don’t think clearly when my emotions get in the way. If I’m angry - or emotional in any other way - I tend to overreact or under react. Emotionally based decisions, especially immediate decisions, are often ones I tend to regret later.
Make them alone – “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22) A part of leadership involves standing alone at times, but rarely are we really alone. We should always walk in the counsel of God’s Spirit, and, in my experience, even when I have to make the decision seemingly alone - if I’m making wise decisions - it’s not really that I’m alone. I’m just ahead of where others know we need to go, but haven’t yet been willing to go. Building a collaborative environment as much as possible helps me avoid bad decisions.
Make them reactionary – Ultimately we want to work from a plan. We want to make decisions before the decision is needed. We want proactive decision-making. That’s obviously not always possible, but in my experience, I’m more likely to make a bad decision when I’m reacting to a situation, rather than having thought about the scenario and my response beforehand.
Make them out of fear – We are called to walk by faith, yet fear is often a more powerful initiator. But, I’ve learned, when I decide because I’m afraid to - or not to - do something, I almost always make a mistake. Following my faith gut, even when afraid, is part of leadership. And, part of life.
I’m sure there are many other ways to make a bad decision. These are some of my personal examples.
Which of these get in your way the most in making good decisions?
What are some ways you end up making bad decisions?
Sunday, February 16, 2014
"Called to Say Yes" by Edwina Gateley
We are called to say yes.
That the kingdom might break through
To renew and to transform
Our dark and groping world.
We stutter and we stammer
To the lone God who calls
And pleads a New Jerusalem
In the bloodied Sinai Straights.
We are called to say yes
That honeysuckle may twine
And twist its smelling leaves
Over the graves of nuclear arms.
We are called to say yes
That children might play
On the soil of Vietnam where the tanks
Belched blood and death.
We are called to say yes
That black may sing with white
And pledge peace and healing
For the hatred of the past.
We are called to say yes
So that nations might gather
And dance one great movement
For the joy of humankind.
We are called to say yes
So that rich and poor embrace
And become equal in their poverty
Through the silent tears that fall.
We are called to say yes
That the whisper of our God
Might be heard through our sirens
And the screams of our bombs.
We are called to say yes
To a God who still holds fast
To the vision of the Kingdom
For a trembling world of pain.
We are called to say yes
To this God who reaches out
And asks us to share His crazy dream of love.
...We who have received the gift of faith, calling us to personal conversion and trans-formation, are also impelled to share that love. We who have received the love of Christ through the spirit cannot contain it. It must reach out to others, spilling out and touching the world in which we live. We are first called and moved by the very love that lives within us…
– Edwina Gateley, VMM Spirit and Lifestyle
That the kingdom might break through
To renew and to transform
Our dark and groping world.
We stutter and we stammer
To the lone God who calls
And pleads a New Jerusalem
In the bloodied Sinai Straights.
We are called to say yes
That honeysuckle may twine
And twist its smelling leaves
Over the graves of nuclear arms.
We are called to say yes
That children might play
On the soil of Vietnam where the tanks
Belched blood and death.
We are called to say yes
That black may sing with white
And pledge peace and healing
For the hatred of the past.
We are called to say yes
So that nations might gather
And dance one great movement
For the joy of humankind.
We are called to say yes
So that rich and poor embrace
And become equal in their poverty
Through the silent tears that fall.
We are called to say yes
That the whisper of our God
Might be heard through our sirens
And the screams of our bombs.
We are called to say yes
To a God who still holds fast
To the vision of the Kingdom
For a trembling world of pain.
We are called to say yes
To this God who reaches out
And asks us to share His crazy dream of love.
...We who have received the gift of faith, calling us to personal conversion and trans-formation, are also impelled to share that love. We who have received the love of Christ through the spirit cannot contain it. It must reach out to others, spilling out and touching the world in which we live. We are first called and moved by the very love that lives within us…
– Edwina Gateley, VMM Spirit and Lifestyle
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