Left Handed Power, Part 1

3rd Sunday of Easter
Just these lines …

… to say that Sunday was loaded with exciting announcements:

• The continuation of the pastoral ministries of Rev. Roldan Flores (beginning his 16th year) and Rev. Corey Milliet (beginning her 13th year) in our midst. We are so thankful for both of them and their many contributions to church life.
• Rev. David Christy (Senior Pastor) and Rev. Dr. Susan Heafner-Heun (Executive Pastor) will begin their appointments to Matthews United Methodist (MUMC) on July 1. You can read about them here. Katrina Larrison (our Lay Leader) and Heath Gilbert (our Staff Parish Relations Committee Servant Leader) interviewed them at our All-Church Gathering this past Monday evening, peppering them with all kinds of questions. They responded with wit, humor, depth and so much more.

Rev. Christy would like us to know, “Pam and I are so excited to get to join you all in ministry through Matthews UMC! We know of the amazing work of Chuck and the incredible staff. We truly feel blessed to be appointed to serve God with you. Thank you for the welcome!”

Rev. Dr. Heafner-Heun shares “I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to be in ministry with Matthews UMC. I have already begun to pray that the journey you have begun will continue as we strive to follow Jesus for the transformation of the world. The welcome and hospitality has been an incredible expression of God’s grace and love. Thank you!”

The future is bright for MUMC with the amazing clergy leadership that has been assembled in this transforming community!

 

Something to Ponder

Byard Bost (MUMC and Sanctuary Choir member) shared with me something he got from a pastor friend of his, Jonathan Marlowe. Jonathan, along with his wife, Angela serve the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Cornelius and are both clergy colleagues of mine. I’d like very much for you to read and ponder Jonathan’s powerful words on Christian Nationalism below:

The problem with Christian Nationalism is that it is neither Christian nor American. I will let others explain why it is not American, but as your pastor, I would like to say why it is not Christian. The Christian faith is never something that can be forced on others. The gospel can only be offered in freedom, grace, and love. If it is offered with coercion, it is not the gospel. Christian Nationalism understood as a movement to impose Christianity on all aspects of a culture or nation whether individuals or communities want it or not is an affront to the gospel, distorting its true nature.

Christianity that is genuine is overflowing with love, compassion, grace, and freedom. Whenever Christians offer the gospel in public, we have to leave room for people to say, “No thank you.” After all, that’s the way God is. God always leaves us the option to refuse. Love is willing to take the risk of someone saying “no.” It carries with it the possibility of someone disappointing us, even hurting us … we remember that many people rejected Jesus, and he allowed them to do so. But love wins out in the end …

N.T. Wright has written, “Christian Nationalism is impoverished as it seeks a kingdom without a cross. It pursues a victory without mercy. It acclaims God’s love of power rather than the power of God’s love.” This does not mean that we don’t carry the gospel with us wherever we go. And it does not mean that Christians cannot be involved in politics, nor that Christian values should not influence how we relate to others, nor that Christians should not be patriotic. But it does mean that at the heart of Christianity is a cross and never governmental coercion.

 

Pastor’s Benevolence and Discretionary Funds

If you are able, please consider a financial gift to a couple of important funds for the church so that the new pastors will get started with what they need for the Pastor’s Benevolence Fund and/or the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund. These funds support a number of vital pieces to our ministry that are often unplanned but require action.

• The Pastor’s Benevolence Fund gives the Pastoral Staff discretion and authority to provide confidential financial support to persons in our church community who are in need, and may include food, medicine, or assistance with bills.
• The Pastor’s Discretionary Fund is under the direction of the Senior Pastor and utilized at his discretion for items that are not within the Operating Budget. This Fund is reviewed by the Finance Committee each month.

You can contribute to these funds here by choosing “Other” and typing “Pastor’s Benevolence Fund” or “Pastor’s Discretionary Fund” in the memo box.

 

Video Devotional

These days, it seems, our nation has a collective obsession with right-handed power. We are always looking to get the upper hand.  Let’s talk about it this week in my devotional titled Left-Handed Power – Part 1.

 

Upcoming Events

• Community Pancake Breakfast & Bake Sale – This Saturday, May 3, 8-10 am in The Commons.
• Saturday Serve – Landscaping, painting & beautification for Global Impact Partners from 9am-Noon on May 17 at Turning Point Treehouse & Greenway Park Elementary. Register here
• MAGI Spiritual Gifts Workshop – Saturday, May 10, 8:30-12:00. Register here

 

This Sunday in Worship

We invite you to join us this Sunday in person at 8:15 (Traditional), 9:30 (Contemporary), 11:00 (Traditional), or online at 9:30, 11:00 or 12:30 (Spanish – in person or here on demand).

Our CCH (Centro Cristiana Hosanna) Community is very special. We are so fortunate to have them as a part of MUMC. This week, Pastor Roldan’s sermon is titled A Call to the Church from Revelation 1:4-8.

I’m away this week officiating at the wedding of LuAnn Scruggs and Duke Pratt in New Bern, NC. Many of you may remember LuAnn and her two girls, Katie and Ashlyn. She sang for many years in our Sanctuary Choir and her church life participation dates to the 1980s. You’ll also remember she went through the tragic accidental death of her husband, Marvin in 2017. Well, she has found love again and it is my deep honor to pronounce them husband and wife.

On Sunday, Pastor Linda has a special message for our church. Her sermon title is What’s Next? Breakfast on the Beach from John 21:1-17. Linda writes, “What’s next for the disciples and us after the Resurrection of Jesus? Jesus prepares a meal of fish, forgiveness, and the future.

There are people all around us looking for a fresh new start. I know of no better community than MUMC to love and care for people who may need a new beginning. If you know someone, please invite them our way. The days ahead, for our church, will be filled with the stability of a church that has been making God’s love real for nearly 150 years and the fresh, vital, dynamic vision that comes with new leadership.

And now, during these disconcerting, uncertain, confusing and yet, hopeful days, remember … God does God’s best work in moments like this.

Jesus is on the loose!
Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson II

 

Did you know that Peanut Butter Sundays (first Sunday each month) has expanded to include Jelly donations based on needs we are hearing from Global Impact partners? Thank you to everyone who contributes to Peanut Butter & Jelly Sundays! We continue to ask for large jars of either or both to drop off in the Narthex basket when you enter for worship on the first Sunday of each month.

Did you know that a group of volunteers did yard work and pressure washing at Blessed Assurance, one of our Global Impact partners, as part of Saturday Serve? Thank you, Beth Merchant, Joe Robinson, John Klotz, Nancy Lee, Jenny Ward and Mike Williams for being the hands and feet of Jesus. You can help other local partners at Saturday Serve on May 3 & 17 – Register here!

 

Did you know that a group of MUMC women served lunch at Dove’s Nest (recovery program for women, part of Charlotte Rescue Mission) on Monday? Dove’s Nest is one of our Global Impact partners and the facility, leaders and residents show their faith in God at every encounter. Thank you, Beth Merchant, Becky Yates, Karen Johnson, Kathy Efird, Marty Hinson, Susan Higgins, Karin Dunham and Amy DeVore for stepping out and stepping up!! If you are interested in a similar serving opportunity, contact Amy DeVore.

Did you know that Kaitlin Klotz was awarded a Chancellor’s Award at UNCC? This award is given to one undergraduate and one graduate student leader in recognition of their outstanding leadership, academic excellence and commitment to the campus community. Kaitlin is a candidate in the Cell & Molecular Biology PhD program at UNCC. Congratulations, Kaitlin!