050906

Dear Friends,
“Need” is a deceptive word. These days, Sandy and I are going through clothing, books, and other possessions to determine what we need to take with us to our next appointment.
  One of the problems for pastors is that many of us do not have a permanent home. The result is that we take everything we own along with us through several decades of ministry in different churches and communities. Unfortunately, more things than we need end up in boxes on the moving van. On occasion, a few of those boxes never seem to get opened and sorted.
With this upcoming move to Baxley, we had made a commitment to try to get rid of a portion on the sum-total of the “stuff” we have been carrying around with us. A couple of loads went to the Relay for Life yard sale and several trips have been made to Goodwill. In the coming weeks, we will be stopping by Manna House with clothing and the library with cartons of books.
As items are sorted, the question that is consistently asked is, “Will I need this in the future?” It is a good question. The words of our Lord Jesus are penetrating as that issue is pondered. In a conversation, He once said, “…a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15) Like many families in our culture, we have accumulated a lot of things over the years. Some have stayed with us by default and some we have maintained by choice. Over the years, very few things have worn out and been discarded.
  Sadly, some broken things, old VCRs and other electronic equipment are still in the closet! I cannot imagine that they are valuable for any reason but we have not yet parted with them. Do you think that there may be a market for parts from used CD players on Ebay? J
There is another question that is important, as well. It is, “What is the value of continuing to own this item?” Paul Simon has been my very favorite songwriter over the years. In the April 3, 1968 release of the album “Bookends” by Simon and Garfunkel, the title track has a line that encourages the listener to “preserve your memories; they’re all that’s left you.”
  In recent years, I have noticed that the things that Sandy and I cherish are the two-fold. First, there are the items that tell the story of our personal history. Photographs, gifts, souvenirs from vacations, family heirlooms, antiques, and such things are precious to us. They are the items we display and the ones that we are most careful to protect. It is quite important to us to continue to possess those things.
The second most valuable asset to us is our relationships. Last Saturday evening, Sandy and I had a lot to accomplish. There were a few finishing touches needed for the sermon. Scattered around the house were open boxes that needed to be filled and closed. These days we are surrounded by undone tasks. However, a new fellowship ministry was beginning that night with a potluck at the church social hall. When we talked about the day, Sandy asked me what I wanted to do. My response was, “I want to be with some of our friends.” So we went to the church.
Unfortunately, we cannot pack up our relationships and take then with us to our new home and appointment. However, the friendships that we have built here in Liberty County will stay with us for a lifetime. They are packed away safely in our hearts.
As I stated above, need is a deceptive word. As time has moved on in our lives, we are consistently finding more clarification about what we need. If everything else was taken away, we have determined that we need our faith, our memories, and our friends.
Come share with us in worship this Sunday. There are services at both 8:30 and 11:00 with opportunities for all ages to learn Sunday School at 9:45. See you in church!

Blessings!
ARM

Rev Alan R Miller +

I will support First United Methodist Church by…

MY PRAYERS

Elizabeth Hutton, Ann Powers, Dorothy Stagmeier, Davis Darsey, Faye Darsey, Chris Varmecky, Ethelda Lee, Jack Bell, Johnnie May, Irene Martin, John Folker, Scot Sikes.

MY PRESENCE
Sunday School:................................................................................129
Worship 8:30:..................................................................................106
.............11:00:..................................................................................120
Total Worship:.................................................................................226

MY GIFTS
Received Last Week:................................................................9,846.78

Received to Date:.................................................................144,781.00
Communion:...............................................................................125.00
Designated:...................................................................................100.00

MY SERVICE
Ushers: ......................................................................Joey Brown, Capt.
....................Angel Cordero, Bucky Keel, John Rogers, Jack Shuman
..................................................................David Smiley, Lew Waldrop
Greeters: .................................Carroll & Billie Floyd and Ilene Bond
Security Steward:............................................................ Lew Waldrop
Acolytes:..............................................Taylor Reese & Bailey Kitchings
Crucifer: .......................................................................Morgan Fermin
Altar Steward: ..................................................................Judy Shippey
Children’s Church: .Christine Barrett, Lori Wheeler, Jennifer Mele

Children’s Sermon:........................................................Craig Stafford