September 2013 Lessons from Johnny Football and A‐Rod: During the past few months sports fans are witnessing the self‐destruction of two talented superstars: Johnny Manziel and Alex Rodriquez. Johnny Manziel is the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback from Texas A&M. The media quickly nicknamed Manziel “Johnny Football”. The Manziel family embraced the name and immediately sought copyright protection in ensure the family makes maximum dollars off “Johnny Football”. Johnny Manziel is a twenty year old student with God‐given athletic skills. Johnny Football seems to be a spoiled publicity hound. He has spent the summer mugging for the cameras and embarrassing his college. It appears that Johnny Football has little regard for the long term future of Johnny Manziel. Alex Rodriquez is possibly the greatest baseball player of all time. Like Manziel, he seems to be two people living in one body. Off the field, Rodriquez quickly becomes A‐Rod. Like Johnny Football, A‐Rod is a manufactured persona. A‐Rod’s only function is to make money for himself and those who exploit his talent. Neither Johnny Football nor A‐Rod shows any consideration for how their antics have damaged their teams and their sport. Sports channels like ESPN invented A‐Rod and Johnny Football and at the same time are quick to throw them under the bus when things turn bad. The question everyone is asking is why so many athletics choose to self‐destruct. David Brooks writes “my theory would be that self‐preoccupied people have trouble seeing that their natural abilities come for outside themselves. Enclosed in self, they come to believe that their talents come from self, are the self. They have no outside criteria that tells them what their talents are for or when they are sufficient. Locked in a cycle of insecurity and attempted self‐validation, their talents are never enough, and they end up devouring what they have been given.” The A‐Rod Problem. David Brooks; New York Times. August 6, 2013. Truer words have never been written. The theological term for self‐preoccupation is “sin”. Sin is when we forget that all we have (including our skills and talents) are a gift from God. As Christians we believe everything we have comes from outside of us. God gives us these gifts to help us to become better people so we can make the world a better place. When we believe everything we have is from our own hard work, we spend our time trying to protect it from those we perceive as a threat. Eventually everyone becomes a threat. Manziel and Rodriquez complain bitterly that they are victims. They do not see that it is they who have placed themselves first above everyone and them against everyone. The lesson for us is to always remember that everything we have in life is a gift. Our health, our intellect, our talents, our families, our finances and our church all come from outside of us. They are God’s gift. We are at our best when we share God’s gifts in a way that makes the world a better place for all God’s children. Let’s hope that Johnny Football and A‐Rod fade quickly from existence so Johnny Manziel and Alex Rodriquez can live a fulfilling life. Let us all deal with our own temptation for self‐preoccupation. It’s not about us. God wants us to live an authentic life that brings glory to God and blessings to others. This is the call of the church. Sincerely, Sam
Listening How can I know that God hears my prayers? God’s Response The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. I Peter 3:12 The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2 Sometimes it feels as if our prayers are bouncing off the ceiling. Is God paying attention? The bigger question is, are you paying attention to God’s response? God does answer prayer, and he wants to do so because he is loving and good. It’s his nature to give good things to his people. Sometimes after things work out, we fail to give God the credit because we didn’t notice that he answered! When you pray, be alert and watch for God’s response, even if it isn’t what you expected. And then don’t forget to thank him for it, no matter what it is, because you can be confident that it is in your best interest. God’s Promise We can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. I John 5:14‐15 Joe Gutzwiller, Business Manager Prayer Concerns and Joys Please keep the following in your prayers: Our Homebound Members: Eleanor Kop, Mary Ann Linz, Shirley Hust, Bertha Sharp and Vera Juergens Alfred Wiggershaus, Greg Long and Jack Patterson Lavonna Lee, April Lee, Lavonne Joy and Carmetia Gonzelez‐Quevedo Frederick Hollis, Bill O’Brien and Austin Meinking Lloyd Compton Sr. – in Army in Japan Jimmy Miller, Robert Harris and Eddie Wilson Families with loss of loved ones For world peace, for our military working and serving overseas and their families, for a spirit of reconciliation for all world leaders, for the people who live in Over‐the‐Rhine, for our church, its Staff, Board and Committees, for the SONKA churches and those among the River Valley Cluster, for all those whose lives have been touched by tragedy or violence, for the homeless and those living in poverty, for our Global Mission partners and for those bereaved. WE ARE SADDENED by the passing of lifelong members Ruby Streckfuss on Friday, August 2nd , Evelyn Brown on August 10th and Eleanor Scheidenberger on August 18th. Please keep the families in your thoughts and prayers. Several members have asked for a copy of my July 14 message. Today, I’m going to do something a little different. I’m not going preach a sermon as much as simply tell you my vision of the church – our church. I want each person to know what I am thinking, why I asking you to do the things we are doing, and what I think a reasonable outcome can be – if we all join together. You can either buy into the vision or not. First a little theology of the church: Our clearest understanding to the church comes from Paul. Paul gives us three metaphors for understanding the church; Church as The People of God; Church as The Body of Christ and Church as The Temple of the Spirit. All of these refer to people not a building. When Paul wrote his epistles, there was no such thing as a free standing church building. So each of these images refer to you and I as a community – not where we meet. The building is a tool for fulfilling our mission to be people of God, not a purpose. Yes, we need to maintain the building and update it every few years. We are currently in the process of doing some much needed updates. But it’s not our purpose. Over time, churches like ours develop a culture of membership. Sometimes we refer to our church as a family. This generates warm feelings but probably gets in the way of our mission. The primary problem that comes from this way of thinking is that we (church members) become consumers of church life. “The pastor is here to meet my needs, to grow the church, to help me feel good about the church.” As members we begin to view ourselves as customers. The longer we have been a member the more value customer we believe we are. I believe at Philippus we will only be successful when we shift from a culture of membership to a culture of discipleship. None of us are here to be consumers of religious goods and services. God has given each of us a Christian vocation. The church is where we learn what our vocation is – and this is where we are equipped to do our vocation. The church has only three functions: To worship and experience God: To develop and live in relationship with God and to serve God. Anything we do that gets in the way of those three functions is harmful not only to the church but to our own relationship with God and our relationship with one another. Brain McLaren give the best definition of why we are here; “To be and make disciples of Jesus Christ in authentic community of the good of the world. “ That involves us working together. In the United Church of Christ this partnership involves the congregation calling the minister. This is a sacred task. It is probably the most important job entrusted to you. It is the only job you do without pastoral leadership. Therefore it is most revealing of who you are as a church. If it has not worked out the way it should – the congregation needs a period of soul searching, reflection, prayer, repentance. It is not a time of blame, finger pointing or playing the role of victim. The task of calling a minister will never be successful in a consumer driven and culture of membership church. The reason is oblivious. What is the job of your pastor? My job and only job is to equip the saints for ministry. (Eph 4: 12) to equip his people for works of service, so
that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of
God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be
infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the
cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow
to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body,
joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its
work.
It’s not the job of a minister to keep you happy. Part of my responsibility is to provide pastoral care in times of
need – but that is only one part. The church works best when the church calls the pastor and then follows the
leadership of the pastor. The church works best with clear boundaries and proper expectations of my role and
your role.
What should you expect from me?
That I am prepared on Sundays. That I’m competent in worship leadership.
That I take seriously my duties on pastoral care: When you are in the hospital that I make all attempts to visit:
That I visit the shut-ins and others who are not able to attend worship.
You should expect that I’m a competent counselor and trustworthy.
You should expect that I honor your time. When I ask something of you – it’s important. I have not asked you
to give up your time for frivolous things.
Mostly you should expect me to verbalize my vision for this church. I should be able to verbalize a plan based
on our denomination’s tradition and understanding is scripture.
My belief is that when God formed this church over a hundred years ago God knew exactly what this
community would need in 2013. We were founded for today. Everyone here must believe that or there is no
chance of us moving forward. We are not here to serve the past. We must believe that this is God’s church and
God has only loaned it to us. God fully expects us to make sure that it is here for the next generation.
What is my vision? I want us to be disciples and to make disciples for the good of OTR. My vision is for us to
continue to build partnerships with our community. We have a partnership with Off- the- Street. A program
that helps women escape the life of prostitution. Jesus reached out to prostitutes. They became part of his
community. Our program offers them friendship and acceptance. We let them know that they are loved. In the
process, we are changed from the inside out. This is what ministry does – when we give of ourselves and step
outside of ourselves we are transformed. That is our goal, transformation. We do not know if we have changed
to lives of any woman who walks in the building – we do know that each of us that work in this ministry has
been changed.
We have reached out and formed a partnership with OTR Adult Literacy and GED. We are opening our doors
to our community. We are teaching reading skills and GED prep to a much improvised community.
We have formed a partnership with Sherwin Anderson’s All-Stars to provide mentoring and skill building to
children in our community. We have the only full size gym in OTR. Future partnerships may be with the
YMCA and with Lord’s Gym
We are in the process of joining a partnership with Power Inspires Progress also knows as Venice on Vine. If
successful they will use our kitchen for work force development. Through their catering business Venice on
Vine teach people real life work skills.
See what we are doing? We meet people’s immediate needs through the food pantry and through our
benevolence money. But that is not enough. We transform their lives through our reaching out, opening our
doors and giving of ourselves. It involves a sacrifice. Our access to the kitchen will be restricted. With kids
and adults in-and-out of our building things might get a little messy. Funeral homes and museums are neat and
clean – doing God’s work is not neat and clean. When we let go of our need to control things God changes us
from the inside out.
This is my vision for our outreach. I’m hoping that you jump on broad and feel so excited you share what we
are doing with your family and friends.
What about you? What should the minister expect from you? What should a minister expect from you as the
congregation?
A heart ready for worship. To make worship a priority. An eagerness to learn more about your faith.
A willingness to be generous with your money. Your heart will always follow your money.
Simply those three things would begin to shift us away from a culture of membership to a culture of
discipleship. But there is more you can do.
Next step: Develop a proper understanding of the role of the pastor. Provide ongoing support and feedback for
the minister.
If you are going to complain have a solution and take responsibility for the solution. “I’m against it” is not a
Christian response. Be an enthusiastic supporter of the vision.
Sunday is for worshiping. It reasonable for me to expect you to be faithful in worship attendance. Worship
should be a priority. The purpose of worship is to experience God. There is no other reason for coming to this
beautiful place – other than to worship and experience God in our lives. Worship is all about God. It is our
opportunity to stop thinking of ourselves and focus for one hour on the Holy. When we worship appropriately,
we please God. Kierkegaard believed worship is a cosmic drama; there are the actors on the stage, the people
behind the stage and the audience. Kierkegaard believes God is the audience. We are the actors and stagehands.
We are here today for God’s pleasure. To be here for any other reason is idolatry. Sunday is also a time for
discipleship training. All vibrant and growing churches have active Christian Education program. Christians
should want to know more about the God we worship. Spending about 2.5 hours at church on Sunday is a
reasonable expectation only if those hours are spent worshiping and learning. Sunday is not a time for
housekeeping or business.
Therefore, we will me making some changes. Starting in Sept. we will begin a study called, “What We Believe
and Why it Matters”. Simply knowing what we believe is not enough – we need to know why and why it
matters. When we begin this study we will be ending snack time. Snack time is fine but real life transforming
fellowship comes from worshiping together, learning together and serving together.
This is my vision. I am asking you to give up a lot. To give up the focus on preserving the building, to give up
control, to give us snack time, to give up dreams of the past, to give up grudges and blame. Will we be
successful? No one knows. As we have learned from Grow My Church study group, not everyone will take the
journey with us. Some people will not buy into the vision. We will need to say goodbye. They will be missed.
With all my heart, I believe this church can have a long future. I believe we have an opportunity to be leaders in
urban ministry. I believe God has placed us here in this time and space so therefore we must live in this time
and space. I believe that God can transform us if we open our hearts and minds. I believe in three to five years
we can either close our doors or be a radically different church.
This is my vision. I ask you to be honest. Do you want to take this journey?
Sam
Building & Grounds Team 1. Kurt’s Landscaping continues to cut the church properties every two or three weeks as needed. 2. HDI‐Home continues with the general church cleaning and other cleaning projects that may be assigned. 3. Hummingbird Carpentry has completed the restoration work on the Parish House doors. Work was done on the outside and inside of the doors, the arch was refinished, all hinges and door handles were refinished. The concrete that surrounds the doors were power washed. It looks great! Now the sanctuary Doors have been removed and the restoration work has begun on them. 4. Atkin’s & Stang Electric installed two electric outlets in the area of the dining room. It’s the corner section by the doors that lead to the courtyard. This is where the new coffee facility is to be located. 5. Painting of the church office, parish house hallway from the front entrance to the dining room and the stairwell to the dining room and the dining room will be painted. Work is to begin the week of 8/19/13. 6. Stanley Steamer cleaned and sealed all five bathroom tile flooring in the church. 7. All new fixtures (toilets, sinks, faucets and mirrors) have been added to the two gym restrooms. Painting of these two restrooms is to be done as well. 8. 1‐800‐declutter removed two full truckloads from the downstairs/basement area. 9. Work on the outside courtyard (Ohio Avenue side) was discussed at the last team meeting. It was decided to have a congregational meeting for approval to move forward on this project. The work will be done in two phases. Joe Gutzwiller, for the Building & Grounds Team Pastor Sam, Shane Webster, Gene Brondhaver, Dennis Weston and Todd Breitholle THANK YOU for everyone’s prayers and support during Mom’s illness and passing. We really appreciate it. Streckfuss/Gutzwiller Family September 10 12 4 7 8 14 14 15 15 19 21 26 27 28 28 30 30 Arnulf Bestehorn Nicholas Heckmann Bonny Jay Diane Morris Brittany Breitholle Shirley Brumfield Alonzo Sanchez Jordan Gates Bill Heckmann Shane Webster Mary Brakers Toby Webster Dian Brannon Mary Ann Linz Susan Starnes Ron & Betty Bollinger Dan & Dian Brannon Philippus Food Pantry is in need of small containers/packages of drink mixes such as: Instant Iced Tea Mix, Lemonade, Punch, Instant or Brew Coffee Packs, Tea Bags, Kool‐Aid and/or Tang Always needed: Cereal, Canned Veggies and/or boxed potatoes, Canned Fruit Personal Care Items such as: Bar Soap, Dish Detergent, Toilet Paper Chancel Choir Begins Fall Schedule The Chancel Choir will begin rehearsals on Thursday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m. We will sing in the service on the following Sunday, and every Sunday through next May. We invite new members to join us for rehearsal on September 12. If you like to sing and would like to be part of a small but energetic and talented group, please come and be part of the music ministry. If you have questions or comments, please call the Director of Music, Terrie Benjamin (513‐232‐5429), or talk with her after a service on Sunday morning. Sounds of Philippus Bell Choir Our church is very fortunate to own Schulmerich Bells and we would like YOU to join us in making music. If you can read a single line of music and are interested in joining us, please contact Terrie Benjamin (513‐232‐5429) to indicate your interest. We have three octaves of beautifully‐crafted handbell instruments available to enlighten and enhance the music ministry; let us praise the Lord with instruments. The children and youth of the church (ages 4‐16) will also participate in color‐coded bell‐ringing. They will practice on select Sunday mornings and perform in several services later this year. Philippus United Church of Christ
106W.McMickenAve.,Cincinnati,OH45202
Phone:(513)241‐5244Fax:(513)241‐6762
Rev.SamWyatt,InterimPastor,Email:[email protected]
JoeGutzwiller’[email protected]
Rhonda McVey’s email [email protected]
Visitourwebsiteat:www.Philippusucc.org
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY 1 2 10:15 Worship Service 11:30 Friendship Time 3 29 10:15 Worship Service 11:30 Friendship Time 4 THURSDAY 11 10 18 17 25 30 10 am Workday Group 24 12 7 pm Team Meeting 7:30 pm Chancel Choir 7 SATURDAY
FRIDAY 6 5 8 9 10:15 Worship Service 11:30 Friendship Time Bible Study Christian Ed 15 16 10:15 Worship Service 11:30 Friendship Time Bible Study Congregational Mtg Trumpet Material Due 22 23 10:15 Worship Service 11:30 Friendship Time Bible Study WEDNESDAY 13 14 19 7:30 pm Chancel Choir 20 26 27 21 Off the Streets 10 am Food Pantry 7:30 Chancel Choir 28 Master List of Schedules Philippus United Church of Christ Date
2013
Sept 1
Sept/Oct 2013 Ushers
Acolyte
Welcomers
Sanctuary
Carol & Van
Kinney
Soule
Anderson
Calvin
Comer
Janet Geiger
Ginny
& Gayle
Gutzwiller
Lightner
Sept 8
Shawanda
Daniel
Carol Roth
Skye
Anderson
Mary
Brakers
Janet Geiger
& Gayle
Lightner
Sept 15
Lore & Bill
Heckmann
Ellery
Cooper
Pat Roth
Noelle
Webster
Bill
Heckmann
Kailyn
Anderson
Lore
Heckmann
Ginny & Joe
Gutzwiller
Jordan
Gates
Carol Kinney
The Jones
Girls
Johanna
Meng
Shawanda
Daniel
Soule
Anderson
Calvin
Comer
Sept 22
Sept 29
Calvin
Comer
Ann
Breitholle
Dennis
Weston
Mary
Brakers
Coffee
Hour
Nursery
Liturgist
Jr. Church
Kay
Brondhaver
Sheree
Breitholle
Gayle
Lightner
Dave
Clausing
Sheree
Breitholle
Janet Geiger
& Gayle
Lightner
Cindy
Heckmann
Johanna
Meng
Sheree
Breitholle
Janet Geiger
& Gayle
Lightner
Janet Geiger
& Gayle
Lightner
Gloria
Daniel
Gene
Brondhaver
Sheree
Breitholle
Johanna
Meng
Alice
Dasenbrock
No Jr
Church
Asia
Young
Dennis
Breitholle
Sheree
Breitholle
The Jones
Girls
Gayle
Lightner
Lore
Heckmann
Sheree
Breitholle
Oct 6
Oct 13
Oct 20
Dennis
Breitholle
Tim
Heckmann
Steven
Harris
Ginny
Gutzwiller
The Jones
Girls
Cindy
Heckmann
Bill
Heckmann
Sheree
Breitholle
Oct 27
Gayle
Lightner
Shane
Webster
Noelle
Webster
Johanna
Meng
The Jones
Girls
Ginny
Gutzwiller
Kim Gates
No Jr
Church
Dear Member: This schedule is based upon those who expressed a willingness to serve when they completed their Time
and Talent Sheets. Please note that your name may appear in more than one place. Thank you for your willingness
to serve God through helping to serve this congregation.
Philippus United Church of Christ 106 West McMicken Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Phone: 513‐241‐5244 Email: [email protected] Web Site: www.philippusucc.org Non‐Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 9498 Cincinnati, OH ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED SCHEDULE We hope that you will attend some or all of our offerings: Every Sunday  Worship at 10:15  Friendship Hour at 11: 30 following Worship