Jane 18, 1998
Faith Luthern & Grace Methodist FAMILY
WLDS.. Vachel.. Charlie Menese
Julie asked me to come here tonight. I’ve known her for a long time. Ever since our first production of JCSS.. For Julie, that would have been four houses and six churches ago.
Met with her at the Star Café in Beardstown.. the place where dreams are born. I’d been warned: Your two personalities are too strong. You’ll never be able to work together.. I studied her… especially her husband, Steve. How does he do it? I found out. And I’ve followed his example and we’ve had a beautiful relationship. I agree with everything she says.
Julie e-mail. Two congregations.. a workshop session.. a complete surprise to me. Better get somebody bigger than me to get Lutherans talking to each other. So Before my speech… a short seminar in finding common ground
Ok… a little compatibility test Things we have in common: HOLD UP YOUR HAND.. IF ---Take one long step before bed. ---cover up everything but a hole to breathe ---panic of wake up and find one bare foot sticking out. ---used to stay overnight and wakeup wondering where you are? ---Cannot use an entire container of Sarah Wrap without getting tangled and tossing it? ---When the pastor gives a three-point sermon, secretly check your watch as he finishes #1 and heads toward #2, then add 2-3rds? ---Has at least one hymn you cannot stand? Julie: be honest. What is it? (Our organist: A Mighty Fortress.. She calls it, “A Mighty Fortress Has Extra Beats”) ---Get tired of Christmas carols before the season’s over? ---Gets tired of bell choirs real quickly?
Until I moved to Arenzville, hadn’t actually met a real Lutheran. Perry: Pres, Meth, Church of Christ… Two Catholics. Then I moved to Arenzville… baby I have met Lutherans. I went to a Missouri Synod church on Communion Sunday.
I’ve never had a very intellectual faith. My grandma had two simple rules: Be nice and pray. I heard you lost a lady much like my grandma. Your saint: Esther Folkers… sounds like my grandma… Loved music, put her love in the form of a hug, believed in a discipleship of cookies and cards. Be nice, and pray.
Col 4, 2-6
Grandpa… Morriville Church.. Ralph, Ralph White Mountain Bike Marty-Kenny
Daniel Priest… Zebco 22
Roger Ebert.
Craig.. Switzerland
THEY SHALL KNOW US BY OUR LOVE.. AND OUR JOY
My testimony Greatest fear… that giving my life to Christ would mean a life of boredom. It’s been the ride of my life.
Mike Yakonelli.. to kids.. This ain’t gonna be sweet and lovely… If you give your life to Christ, He’s gonna grab hold of you and he’s gonna really mess you up.
Puppy story.. The need is all around us. It’s in our own congregation.
A church that prays for each other is the most precious gift God can give us. Little Joehl girl.
Mothers in Touch.. every Thursday.. lifts up each teacher individually.
Billy Graham.. secret of success
Next time, Hardees. “Have a nice day!” Ask them …Why?
...Attend meeting of Morgan Co commissioners ..put on a Henry Jackson mask.. jump out and say “I’m back!”
...Stand up at a meeting of the J’ville Country Club and say, “Hey! Anybody wanna buy two tickets for the Democrat fund raiser?
...My friend: Myron Strubbe...sings full-voice to the songs playing in Walmart.
...Jeff W: Always backed through the Drive up at McDonnalds.
...Attend any school board meeting and say, “We’ve got lots of kids in District 117 who can’t read. We’ve got to have more money for reading instruction. Let’s cut basketball!”
In other words, ask your self, Who am I trying to please? Some of you may have heard me tell this story before, but it proves my point so well, and I really enjoy telling it. HINEY THE MULE.
Let me tell you a wonderful story about the empty glass. Fidel Cashero
No church programs will ever have the power and effect of a church which prays for each other.
Our little community of Arenzville. 90% Lutheran, several Methodists, some Catholics and 4 Presbyterians. Many unsuccessful attempts over the years to come together… --- men’s breakfasts.. folded quickly --- joint sunrise service … rained out.. never tried it again. --- baccalaureate.. finally excluded clergy altogether.. now: kids But something very wonderful and very small happened two years ago. Some Methodist had the nerve to put a Lutheran on the prayer chain. And then another.. and another.. intersect in several places.. . something’s happening…
You have, in effect, two congregations.. If you would have one, please make prayer your link.