Two weeks ago former Pastor Don Smith stated, "Stonebridge UMC has exploded in the area of Missions." That afternoon the Missions Team had a meeting planned to discuss up coming events. We looked at each other across the table in awe, scratching our heads never realizing how we are viewed outside the doors of our Church.
Towards the end of Jesus' earthly ministry, He stated: "'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me'" (Matthew 25:34-40 RSV). The Mission's team really had no idea the impact Stonebridge UMC has made locally and internationally. Jesus still calls us to serve now.Family PromiseEvery week The Samaritan Inn has to turn away 15-30 families because there is literally no room at the inn. These families remain homeless in our community, living in cars, with friends for a day or two, or anywhere they can find. Family Promise is an organization that connects homeless families to Churches. About 14 churches will make up the Family Promise Network in Collin County and will provide their facility to host up to 14 people for seven days four times a year. The Missions Team is currently working to partner with Family Promise so that we can "help the stranger and welcome them." We are just in the beginning stages, so please pray for this ministry to come to fruition. When and if things work out we will need you to help "feed" and "welcome" these families into our Church. This opportunity will allow adults, kids and families to be missionaries in their own church.Mission Gathering with Jose LuisStonebridge UMC and Suncreek UMC in Allen are partnering to host an evening with International Missions Director Jose Luis on April 10. Jose has been the Director of Proyecto Abrigo since 1992. His organization in partnership with Churches around the world builds an average of 1,000 homes a year for families that are living in cardboard boxes or that have no shelter. Recently, due to media concerns about Juarez, Mexico, the organization has been impacted heavily. Come learn about the real Juarez not reported in the media and how you can make a difference today.Juarez Mexico Mission TripStonebridge UMC will be going to Juarez, Mexico May 13-16 in partnership with Proyecto Abrigo to build homes for the homeless. The cost of the trip is $400.00 per person. You must fill out an application and have a passport. For more information, contact Trevor Castilla at tcastilla@sbcglobal.net. Spring Break Mission Trip to OklahomaScot Wingo of First United Methodist Church in Garland is coordinating a Mission Trip to Oklahoma City. Last month's snow storm was fun, but many homes in the Oklahoma area were ravished. The trip leaves this Saturday, March 13. You do not need to be trained. If you have a child 15 years or older, they can go as long as a parent participates in the trip. Contact Scot at scotwingo@yahoo.com or 469-330-7619.Habitat for HumanityNorth Collin County Habitat for Humanity builds homes in McKinney, Frisco, Celina, Princeton, Melissa and other unincorporated areas in the northern Collin County area. Their most current build project is located at 802 Throckmorton Street in McKinney. Every Saturday, volunteers are needed to build or serve lunch. Contact Dave Paulsen at davepaulsen@hotmail.com.
We are called to be God's people in the world. The Mission team is constantly providing way's for you to be God's people. Pray how God can use your hands and feet to be His Love "on earth as it is in heaven."
Ed Whipple
Director of Student Ministries
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
God Cares for Us All
The first persons in space went all alone, one at a time, in capsules just large enough for one person. Never before had a human being been so far away from other persons. Did this mean that such a space traveler was one of the loneliest persons who ever lived? No, indeed! Why? Because others let him know that they cared. There were literally millions following his progress, interested in where he was and what he was doing, mentioning him in prayer, and wishing him well.
Though we live our own lives, encased in our “private capsules”, so to speak, we need the supportive, personal care of others. Care is as essential to human life as food and drink. There are no more despairing words than these: “Nobody seems to care.”
Three times the risen Christ asked Simon Peter, “Do you love me. . . ?” And each time Peter answered, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” “Tend my sheep,” was the Lord’s response (John 21:15-17, NRSV). To be a disciple, a follower of Jesus, means to care for others. But how? Care is not general goodwill toward humanity. It must be specific. Jesus’ own example shows his attention to individuals: He lifts a child up to eye level. He selects a particular person in a crowd for a word, a touch, or a shared meal.
When I ask myself, “Who needs caring?” the obvious answer is everyone. But when I ask, “Who needs me to care today?” certain persons come to mind. If not, I need to start with prayer. Praying is the beginning of caring. A small but surprising list of persons appears in my thoughts. Some are lonely, aged, weak, or in trouble. Some are successful, important, young, and strong. As my prayers reach out to them, I think about what each may need. The answers vary: a letter, a phone call, a smile, a bowl of hot soup, money, healing, an introduction to another person.
Of course, I can’t do everything. But that doesn’t mean I should do nothing. I can’t care for everybody. But that doesn’t stop me from caring for somebody. I can’t keep track of everyone I know, but I can try to respond to those in special need. I might assume that a widely known and respected person would not want or need or appreciate my care. Not so. Once a popular bishop had to cancel a scheduled event because of a blizzard. The only other available date was on a holiday. “But we wouldn’t want to bother you then,” said the parties involved. “Please don’t say that,” he answered. “Nobody invites a bishop on a holiday. Everyone thinks we are with somebody else.” No one is too important to appreciate care, or to know sadness when others forget.
But the most important thing to remember when caring for someone is: We are never left all alone to care for another. God cares. God’s concern for the other person’s well-being was there long before we became interested. God’s care is stronger, wiser, and more enduring than ours can ever be. But people often understand and experience God’s care most deeply when it is transmitted through caring human beings. The loving God cares for us all. This same God calls us and empowers us to care for others.
Here at Stonebridge UMC, we have many ways to show others that we care: Prayer Ministry, Hospital and Homebound Visitation, Card Ministry, Stephen Ministry, Care Team (meals) and Threads of Hope. But these are just a few of the many ways that our congregation takes care of not only our own members and guests, but our extended families and our community. We are always looking for new people to join us in these caring ministries. God calls each of us to care for one another. How are you going to show God’s love today?
In Christ's Name,
Dina Steiner
Though we live our own lives, encased in our “private capsules”, so to speak, we need the supportive, personal care of others. Care is as essential to human life as food and drink. There are no more despairing words than these: “Nobody seems to care.”
Three times the risen Christ asked Simon Peter, “Do you love me. . . ?” And each time Peter answered, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” “Tend my sheep,” was the Lord’s response (John 21:15-17, NRSV). To be a disciple, a follower of Jesus, means to care for others. But how? Care is not general goodwill toward humanity. It must be specific. Jesus’ own example shows his attention to individuals: He lifts a child up to eye level. He selects a particular person in a crowd for a word, a touch, or a shared meal.
When I ask myself, “Who needs caring?” the obvious answer is everyone. But when I ask, “Who needs me to care today?” certain persons come to mind. If not, I need to start with prayer. Praying is the beginning of caring. A small but surprising list of persons appears in my thoughts. Some are lonely, aged, weak, or in trouble. Some are successful, important, young, and strong. As my prayers reach out to them, I think about what each may need. The answers vary: a letter, a phone call, a smile, a bowl of hot soup, money, healing, an introduction to another person.
Of course, I can’t do everything. But that doesn’t mean I should do nothing. I can’t care for everybody. But that doesn’t stop me from caring for somebody. I can’t keep track of everyone I know, but I can try to respond to those in special need. I might assume that a widely known and respected person would not want or need or appreciate my care. Not so. Once a popular bishop had to cancel a scheduled event because of a blizzard. The only other available date was on a holiday. “But we wouldn’t want to bother you then,” said the parties involved. “Please don’t say that,” he answered. “Nobody invites a bishop on a holiday. Everyone thinks we are with somebody else.” No one is too important to appreciate care, or to know sadness when others forget.
But the most important thing to remember when caring for someone is: We are never left all alone to care for another. God cares. God’s concern for the other person’s well-being was there long before we became interested. God’s care is stronger, wiser, and more enduring than ours can ever be. But people often understand and experience God’s care most deeply when it is transmitted through caring human beings. The loving God cares for us all. This same God calls us and empowers us to care for others.
Here at Stonebridge UMC, we have many ways to show others that we care: Prayer Ministry, Hospital and Homebound Visitation, Card Ministry, Stephen Ministry, Care Team (meals) and Threads of Hope. But these are just a few of the many ways that our congregation takes care of not only our own members and guests, but our extended families and our community. We are always looking for new people to join us in these caring ministries. God calls each of us to care for one another. How are you going to show God’s love today?
In Christ's Name,
Dina Steiner
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