Cowboy Bob

Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Tuesday, December 20

By Dan Kelley

Cowboy Bob

Read: Genesis 45:7a

“God sent me before you to preserve you.”

My mom loved to tell the story about me when I was a small boy and my friend, Cowboy Bob. Mom had lost my older brother Timothy in childbirth about two years before I was born. She was afraid that she could not have any more children. So when I was born she was very happy and very, very protective.

My dad had built a large family room across the whole back of our house in St. Louis. It was a great place to play when the weather was too bad to go outside. And my favorite games to play were Cowboys: Cowboys and Indians, Cowboys and Bank Robbers, Cowboys and Rustlers, and Cowboy posse helping the Sheriff. 

I had jeans with a leather belt and a silver buckle. I had boots and a cowboy hat. I had a vest and a two-gun holster. I had a cardboard horse that I could ride. I watched all the cowboy shows on TV. I loved playing Cowboys.

What I did not love was taking a nap. (I apologize to naps for my rude behavior toward them when I was young. I have since learned what a wonderful thing they are.) I objected that the Indians, Bank Robbers, Rustlers, and other Bad Guys would sneak up on me while I was asleep. I was afraid that they would get me. No amount of discussion with my mom would convince me otherwise. It was an ongoing battle.

One day my mom gave me a bag and asked me to open it. Inside was a bedspread with a tall man on it. He had jeans with a brown belt and silver buckle. He had cowboy boots and a white hat. He had a red vest with a star on it. And he had a two gun holster. His name was Bob, Cowboy Bob. Mom said that he had been deputized to stand watch and would protect me when I took my nap. He looked dependable, so I agreed to this solution and never argued again.

We are living in uncertain times of turmoil and change. Wars and rumors of wars fill the news. It is difficult to sleep because the bad guys are up to no good and are threatening us. Cowboy Bob was an outward and visible sign of my mother’s love and protection for me. The birth of Jesus the Christ is an outward and visible sign of God’s love and protection for us.

Prayer

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen.

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My New Meditation App: The Gospel of Matthew

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Monday, December 19

By Jane Gulley

My New Meditation App: The Gospel of Matthew

Read: Matthew 11:28-29 NKJV

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Christmas is coming. Are you excited? Or anxious? I admit the season can make me nuts. Ask me about my spreadsheets.

Christmas is literally EXTRA. Our faith tells us to give to the needy, comfort the lonely, and repair family bonds. Our culture tells us to decorate competitively, entertain lavishly, and document the whole thing on social media. Not calming. 

To fix my bad attitude, I re-read the Christmas story in all four Gospels. Shocker: it’s not in Mark or John. In those gospels, the adult Jesus is baptized by John and jumps right into ministry. (I’m calling these the “hustle and grind” Gospels). Luke is the one you know best. It’s got those tent pole moments: Angels! Shepherds! Kings!

But for life wisdom, I like the Gospel of Matthew. The birth of Jesus is low on razzle-dazzle and moves quickly to the Holy Family’s persecution by Herod. But stay tuned! The rest of Matthew includes the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus healing the sick, and many teachings I found newly relevant. Health, relationships, finances—Our Lord covers it all. One of my favorite soothers for a worried mind is the above scripture reference of Matthew 11:28-29.

In the hustle of December, consider putting a Bible in your car or adding an app such as Bible Gateway* to your phone. And in the spirit of the season, I wish you … Peace. 

Prayer

Dear Lord, give me strength and wisdom for living my days, with appreciation for the gift of Jesus in showing us how to live. Amen.

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*Bible Gateway, a free app, was recommended to me by Church Streeter Thomas Stubbs, now a UMC clergy member serving a church in CT.

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Salvation at Christmas

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Sunday, December 18, Fourth Sunday of Advent

By Tim Best, Senior Associate Pastor

Salvation at Christmas

Read: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 NIV

“Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.” (v.3)

What does it mean to be saved? This seems like more of an Easter question, but it is exactly what comes to mind when I read the above Psalm lesson. The questions that typically come to mind one week before Christmas tend to be: “Have I sent all my cards? When do I need to go to the store to get the last items for Christmas dinner? Will there be a fight between those two relatives on Christmas Eve?” The Psalm forces us to consider salvation. The Psalm makes us consider salvation from the perspective of Advent. 

The Psalmist refers to the Lord as a shepherd, an image common throughout Psalms and other Old Testament passages. Jesus later refers to himself as the Good Shepherd. Shepherds, and certainly good ones, are present with the sheep. Not showing up or not providing care, comfort, and food would be neglect. Over the next week I invite you to ask yourself each day “how is Jesus showing up in my life today? How is Jesus at work saving and leading me?” I pray that you will feel God’s loving presence and be able to see all the ways God is at work in your life. God’s salvation is for now as much as it is for after we die. In Jesus our lives are saved from old patterns and damaging behaviors. Let us prepare to welcome our good shepherd, the one who saves us, into our lives. 

Prayer

Almighty God, In Christ you offer salvation to the whole world. Open our hearts that we may see the ways your salvation is now at work in us. Prepare us for the gift of your salvation by helping us to see your presence in our lives. Amen.

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Shining Under Bethlehem’s Star

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Saturday, December 17

By Nancy Christmas

Shining Under Bethlehem’s Star

Read: Psalm 16:11 NKJV

“You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

A few years ago before Christmas, our church members received a purple “Joy” star with a Bible verse from Psalm 16:11, along with a personal note card entitled “Joy” from Rev. Catherine. My husband and I still have those two items on our refrigerator to read when we are in the kitchen. 

That brings to mind, what would it have been like to have been among the “wise ones” who were led by this bright star to travel to Bethlehem? Who would have known that this glowing star would guide these travelers to their destination, where they found Baby Jesus cradled under the Bethlehem Star? There, the heavenly host proclaimed the sweetest of all good and great gifts as planned by our Father above.

Along with the gift of Jesus, God also brought peace, hope, joy, goodwill and light, and a Love that will last forever, thanks to the shining star of Bethlehem. With our renewed faith, we welcome Christmas and every day with hope for all. God’s greatest gift to us is His only begotten Son, who is the light of Eternity. This light is forever strong and will be the guide that is always there to open our lives to God’s presence every day. 

Joy and love are in my heart. Thanks be to God!

Prayer

Our Father in heaven above, as we pray with joyful hearts, we thank thee for your gift of love. Amen.

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Giving and Getting

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Friday, December 16

By Rev. Rick Isbell

Giving and Getting

Read: Acts 20:35 NIV

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 

‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’.”

When I was a little boy, I loved getting presents on my birthday and under the tree on Christmas morning. Who doesn’t like getting a new Nintendo, a nice piece of clothing or that one item you “hinted at” all year. Receiving gifts from friends and family is a special time for all of us. But lately I have seen that getting things can be quite overwhelming and cumbersome. I look around and see the proliferation of storage unit complexes that span acres or go up several stories. And more are being built each year. We have so much stuff that we need extra storage units to store it all.  

As I have gotten older, I have found the joy in giving rather than always thinking about getting stuff. Sure, I still like to receive presents; but now I think more on how I can share the “gifts and graces” I have been blessed with. I think about how I can give my time and resources to help others. This Advent season is a time to think about what gifts you can give to others that don’t need to be wrapped. Think about all those warm clothes you don’t wear anymore that could be given away. Pick up a few extra food items at the store and give to a food co-op. Take the time to visit a homebound church member or send them a card. Give an extra $25 to UMCOR to help flood or hurricane victims. Volunteer 1-2 hours a week at the church or community agency such as Mobile Meals, Beacon of Hope, Wesley House or a local school.    

This Advent season as we prepare again for the “coming” of the Christ child into the world, let us discipline ourselves to think more of giving than getting. Let us think about helping the Kingdom of God become a reality by giving of our time, talents and resources in helping others. 

Prayer

God, help me find ways to give to others all year long. Help me give of myself and my resources to make this world a better place for all. AMEN.

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Timeless Joy

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Thursday, December 15

By Steve Richardson

Timeless Joy

Read: 2 Corinthians 4:4-18

“For it is God who said, ‘Light will shine out of darkness,’ who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (v.6)

Odd as it seems, our modest, practically-generic rancher house now has an architectural designation. It was built in 1955, so it has become classified as a “Mid-Century Modern.” Such a label puts us right up there with “Victorian,” “Cape Cod,” “Williamsburg,” “Greek Revival” and others. Frankly, these other labels reflect more impressive aesthetic qualities, compared to “Mid-Century Modern” which hovers over a mundane point on a time spectrum. Yet whatever the descriptor or identity, we happily call it “home.”

Recently we undertook some interior renovation. The project included removal of long-ago laid wall-to-wall carpet, followed by restoration of the original oak flooring that had been shielded from view for literally decades. When the floor sanding began, I was amazed to sense the scent of freshly cut oak. It was as if the timber had just been milled! After 67 years, the oak’s distinctive aromatic profile was as fresh and vibrant as ever.

For a moment, I felt joy from this unexpected waft of nature along with seeing the surface and grain of the wood freed to resume its original purpose.

Later, it caused me to wonder: During these days of Advent, what might we discover if we could strip away (or at least strive to do so) the layers of really-not-so-important trappings of the holiday season? We all know of them —those many things that tend to obscure, hide or crowd-out Christmas’s spiritual core and character. Maybe there is a timeless joy to be found and experienced —the joy of the heavenly host, the joy made known to the shepherds, the joy made known to the magi, the joy of the authentic Christmas. Such joy must surely still be fresh and vibrant if we simply can uncover it and set it free to be experienced again.

Prayer

Generous God, open our hearts and minds to receive, and then to share, the spiritual life-lifting gifts you graciously offer so that we may always know your timeless joy.

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Weekly Prayer – December 14, 2022

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of December 14, 2022

Rev. Catherine Nance

Oh, Lord! Time is running away from us! 

Six more days until school is out … 

Ten more days until Christmas Eve…. 

Seventeen more days until a new year begins! 

You have gifted us with morning and evening, O God, and yet we complain we do not have enough time. 

Forgive our frantic natures, Lord! Still our spirits so we might acknowledge your presence. How would you have us spend this time?  

We think of others and how they are marking time. 

We think of children who are counting down days in excitement. 

We think of parents who are remembering the anniversary of a death. 

Young adults anxiously awaiting a notification after a job interview. 

Older adults who find themselves alone. 

Oh God, sometimes our hearts cannot hold all of the compassion we feel! We turn to you in prayer and ask that the presence of your Holy Spirit be with those who are hurting. People we do not know, but we hear about them in a news update or we see them at the mall. May these connections we feel strengthen our ties to you. May we find peace and comfort in your Emmanuel – in knowing that your Spirit can and does reach out to others.  

We do not want to be frantic, O God. So, we will cling to the prayer, Give us this day our daily bread. Give us this day enough energy for today. Give us this day opportunities to make today a good day for someone else. Give us this day a sense of all the others who are praying about today. In focusing on today, Lord, may our spirits turn from the frantic feeling of time rushing away to the time being a precious gift for now. 

We stop for a moment and hold in our hearts the people we love, those who are sick and frightened, and those who are feeling hopeless. May they feel the presence of our prayers, just as we feel your presence with us. 

We feel a special bond to all who are praying with us now as we say the prayer your Son taught us …. 

Church family asks for prayers for….

  • A mother recovering from knee replacement surgery
  • A husband recently diagnosed with Kennedy’s Disease
  • A friend recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease
  • For other members in the church dealing with ‘test results’ and diagnoses; patience and discernment as they learn about new illnesses and protocols
  • Families not able to be together at Christmas
  • Teachers who are under so much pressure this time of year
  • A member recovering from surgery
  • Healing of heart and memories when family cannot travel or be together for the holiday
  • Safe travels and a wonderful visit for a church member seeing family in England – first time in three years!
  • A husband who has been laid off from job; searching for new work and hope!
  • A couple hoping for pregnancy
  • A little grandchild who has been so sick; prayers for healing
  • Comfort and strength in the midst of a sudden death of a dear friend. The family is already dealing with serious illness and treatments. 
  • A thorough and decisive conversation with primary care physician.
  • Guidance for a judge who is making decisions about where grandchildren can live; prayers for the mother who has been patiently waiting
  • An elementary-age daughter of a friend who had surgery on her finger this morning after a severe injury
  • A friend’s grandmother who had cancer surgery and is looking at a long recovery; prayers for the family as they deal with all that is ahead of them.
  • An aunt who is experiencing a lot of stress with family
  • A friend with stage three breast cancer who is having surgery this week
  • A relationship to be restored

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

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Expectation, Excitation, Exhilaration

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Wednesday, December 14

By Linda Henderson Cox

Expectation, Excitation, Exhilaration

Read: Luke 1:31-33

“You will … give birth to a son … He will be great … 

His kingdom will have no end.”

Unlike Zechariah’s unbelief when an angel told him he and Elizabeth would have a son, Mary didn’t doubt when Gabriel gave her the news that she too would bear a son of the Holy Spirit. She trusted. When it sank in, she couldn’t wait to share with her cousin Elizabeth who was six months along with, as we’re told later, John the Baptizer. The gift for the world they each carried was reason for exhilaration. Elizabeth made a declaration and Mary sang a song.

Having five great-grandchildren in five years, I can tell you something of all three emotions. Each child expected and loved before birth; the tension of waiting and wondering ending when a new person entered our lives; the moms eager to get pictures out to the world!

“He will be great.” I’ve often wondered whether Jesus had a ‘normal’ childhood. He had siblings. Did He stand out as being great? In my mind, I see Him being treated equally, though I imagine Joseph and Mary shared a look or two when His behavior was a bit different.

“His kingdom will have no end” is the climax to the story. All made possible by God sending His Son into the world in human form. To be admitted into the kingdom that has no end, is perfection. To share eternity with the owner of this kingdom—the thought should make us drunk with exhilaration. 

Prayer

All praise and thanksgiving to You, Creator God, for giving us the gift of eternal life with a home in the Kingdom that has no end. In the name of your Son, Jesus, our Redeemer. Amen.

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Welcome to the Family

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Tuesday, December 13

By Jeffrey H. Johnson, M.D.

Welcome to the Family

Read: Colossians 3:16 NLT

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.”

Earlier this year the historic Murphy Builders and Pathfinders Sunday School classes came together to form one class, Murphy Builders Pathfinders. Together, we have been studying the book of Colossians verse by verse. When we came to this passage, we noted that the heading for Chapter 3 was “Living the New Life.” Paul in this letter points us to the supremacy of Christ in creation (Chapter 1) and then goes on to tell us that as believers in Christ – new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17) – Christ is our life (Chapters 2 and 3). Because of this, we are encouraged to set our “sights on the realities of heaven” (Chapter 3,v.1) and “think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth” (v.2). We studied that we “died to this life” and that our “real life is hidden with Christ in God” (v.3).

Sounds lofty and beautiful, right? That’s how life is for all of us, right?  

On the contrary: as we studied this passage, we noted that life can be HARD. I have often said to my patients who go through difficult times this time of year that “the holidays magnify life as we know it … and sometimes that may not be so good.”  

So what are we to do? I believe that in these difficult days, we need our family … our family of God. We need to come together each week and dwell on Christ and his richness in our lives. We need to teach and counsel each other. We need to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thanksgiving (just last week our class spent the whole hour singing some of the great old hymns we all know and love). We find then that we are strengthened as we head back out into the world and into life on earth as we know it.  

Jesus came so that we could be a part of the family … his kingdom. During this Advent season, come together with your family — the family of God — and be strengthened and encouraged, always remembering that “Christ is our life”.

Prayer

Father, thank you for this time of year when we remember that you sent Jesus, so that we could be a part of your family. Amen.

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Christmas and Traditions

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Monday, December 12

By Judy Grubb

Christmas and Traditions

Read: Luke 2:10

“…but the angel said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people’.”

Christmas 2020 may be the saddest Christmas I have ever observed. You’ll remember that we were smack in the middle of the Covid 19 Pandemic. My husband and I had chosen not to have any family get together due to the fear of transmitting the virus. I wasn’t sure that I even wanted to decorate. I did go with a downsized tree and fewer decorations than I usually display around the house. I didn’t have purple candles, so I used red ones to create the Advent wreath, and we put it out every Sunday. I also displayed one of my favorite Nativity sets. So…we were having Christmas.

When I think back on all this, I realize that I was tweaking my Traditions of Christmas. I realize that everybody has traditions, and they’re all different. Many of my Christmas treasures have very special memories: where I got them, who gave them to me, how old they are. The origin of all those memories are rooted in the story of a baby born in a stable in Bethlehem. As we know, there are different theories about this child and his birth, but for me I wouldn’t stop the celebration for anything. It is the source of my Traditions that include special times with my children and grandchildren, the joy of the preparation, and the hope that I have in life.

It was a tough time up to the few days before Christmas that year. I felt like I was just going through the motions. How could we make this a real Christmas? Then about 4:00 P.M. on Christmas Eve it began to snow. We ended up with the prettiest snowfall and white Christmas in years. It was like a gift to cheer us up. (Apologies to those who got stuck in the traffic.) We watched the most beautiful Christmas Eve service on YouTube.

On Christmas Day, we talked on FaceTime to our 3 children and our grandchildren. We didn’t have gifts to open, but we didn’t notice. One of our sons left gifts for us on the front porch a few days later. Remember the awful mail delay? We’ve laughed about the 14 day delay of gifts from our daughter.

That year we learned that Jesus really is the reason for the season. We made every effort to celebrate his birth even though we observed some traditions in a different way, and some just didn’t happen. Life was different and out of kilter, but in 2021 we got back to all the traditions, and the story of Jesus was still there, and so was the hope.

Prayer

Dear God, May we remember that there are many ways to celebrate the great gift that you gave us, your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for loving us and bringing us hope. Amen. 

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