An Update From your Pastor's Desk - 06.03.2020

Hello there,

Greetings to you and your family. We hope that you are staying well and healthy. This email update includes important information of what's going on at Oberlin UMC. If you have any questions please feel free to contract us.

Thanks!

The United Methodist Men’s 100 Club has announced the recipients of its 2020 scholarships. The 100 Club scholarship winners are Cameron Miller and Karissa Heckens, St. Paul School of Theology; Shayla Jordan, Perkins School of Theology; Rebecca Borgman, United Theological Seminary; and Danielle Rouse, Colorado Christian University. All receive $1,250. The Fleming Family Foundation scholarship recipients are Cameron Miller and Karissa Heckens, St. Paul; Shayla Jordan, Perkins; Rebecca Borgman, United; and Danielle Rouse, Colorado Christian. All will receive $600.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

July 4 celebrates the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America.

Suggested Scripture Readings:

Deuteronomy 10:12 –13, 17–21                    What does God require of a nation?

Psalm 72                                                         A prayer for justice and righteousness

Galatians 5:13 –26                                          The proper use of freedom

John 8:31 –36                                                  True freedom

Prayer

Almighty God, you rule all the peoples of the earth.

Inspire the minds of all women and men to whom you have committed

the responsibility of government and leadership

in the nations of the world.

Give to them the vision of truth and justice,

that by their counsel all nations and peoples may work together.

Give to the people of our country

zeal for justice and strength of forbearance,

that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will.

Forgive our shortcomings as a nation;

purify our hearts to see and love the truth.

We pray all these things through Jesus Christ. Amen.

(ANDY LANGFORD, U.S.A., 20TH CENT.)

© Independence Day resources Copyright © 1992 UMPH.

Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go.—Joshua 1:7

For our country, O God, I am so thankful. For our immigrant ancestors who came here across an ocean that seemed so wide; for their years of struggle against obstacles that I have never faced; for the sacrifices of others who built our country and defended it against all the things that would go wrong; for opportunities in my own lifetime to do something that would really make a difference; for a place in which to raise a family, to seek to do well in my job, to worship you in freedom, and to cherish the hopes and dreams for the years ahead—I am, O God, deeply thankful.

Fresh Produce Boxes

Did you know that   Oberlin United Methodist Church distributed fresh produce boxes on Friday, July 3, 2020?  Additionally, fresh produce boxes will be offered again on July 17, July 31, August 14 and August 28.  The boxes will be available at the Oberlin United Methodist Church parking lot, 102 North Cass beginning at 10:00 AM.  There are no income guidelines and the boxes will be handed out on a first come basis.  In order to supply food to more families, we will limit one box per family.

On delivery days, we ask that you to stay in your vehicle.  The produce will be put in your vehicle.  We will be there to help you line up.

Thank you to local, regional and state partners for making this possible.  A special thank you to Thomas County Health Department and the Colby United Methodist Church for working with us to be able to make fresh produce available to residents of Oberlin.

From a Child's Point of View

Psalm: 13. Children, for whom time seems so much longer than it does for adults, empathize with the psalmist's repeated question, "How long?" They know what it is to wait and endure, and they are generally pleased to find a psalm that reflects their impatience. It helps to paraphrase verse 5: "I wait patiently because God's love lasts forever."

Have you been outside lately? I don’t mean just for a walk to the mailbox. Do you spend time outside drinking in the sunshine and admiring the flowers? That question reminds me of a great story, a family favorite. The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson tells the tale of a young bull who’d rather sit under a tree and smell the flowers than bullfight. Ferdinand was grateful for the simple pleasures of nature.

What about you?

Blessings,

Pastor Gordon