What's So Special about Abraham?
By Rev. Matthew Smith
Lately I’ve been thinking about what made Abraham so special? I mean, he was a normal guy like anyone else, with faults, failures, and all. Abraham was not perfect by any means, so it could not have been perfection that God chose him over the next guy. So what was so special about him? Over the last few weeks both Stewart and I have preached on Abraham during our Sunday series, Journey through Genesis, and as a result have become a little more acquainted with this historical man. There is one major quality about Abraham that stands out above the rest, and it’s obedience. Abraham responded to God, believed God, trusted God, and worshiped God. What’s interesting is that nowhere did God provide complete clarity of His plan for Abraham. He gave him little bits and pieces here and there, and the more Abraham responded the more revelation he got.
I’ve been thinking about that concept. Like many of you I’m wondering about how everything is going to play out, or when we’ll be over all this stuff. I’m discerning very hard about how best to lead the church into a faithful future. What’s the best option? What’s the way we should go? How can we do this or that? Even on a family level there are a myriad of choices and decisions that lead us down a myriad of roads. I was having a conversation after church this past Sunday and I kept coming back to Abraham. What if obedience was it? What if obedience was all that was really necessary for a vibrant, faithful future? The more I thought about it a peace came over me; almost like a confirmation. Could it be as simple as that? Do I really have to know all the details right now? Abraham only had a small piece of revelation when he packed up and left for the Promised Land; but he packed up and left! Obedience is both simple and challenging because it requires a constant, persistent trust in God to keep revealing. At any moment when the eyes drift off of God and onto the self, we can get lost.
So it really comes as no surprise that the people of God are to be obedient to God. However, it seems that across the current landscape obedience is a novel concept. Obedience means that we may not have it all figured out but we’re trusting that as we follow God it will become clearer. Unlike Abraham though, we have the complete revelation of God in the Bible, so we’re not blind to what God requires and expects. So our vision is guided by the biblical mandate to make disciples, or as we put it, connecting real people to a real relationship with Jesus. One primary way we are going to do that is through video production. Discipleship has always been a priority of mine and this will ensure everyone is discipled whether in person or at home. We’ve still got some details to work out but we’re trusting God as He leads us. Also, check out the August prayer guide for our schools (below) and join me in praying for this year. But most importantly, let us remain obedient to the Lord, even when it’s hard or doesn’t make sense, for the Lord is good, and His mercy endures forever!
Grace and Peace,
Matthew
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This Sunday we will be having Communion. Those of you who are joining us online may pick up the Communion Cups outside the double glass doors from
Thursday 12:00 p.m. until Saturday 7:00 p.m.
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Current Sermon Series
It's summer time! Join us on a Summer Road Trip through the book of Genesis as we explore the places where it all began, and maybe learn a new thing or two. This Sunday we will learn how to navigate the desert of desire and deception from Genesis 25:19-34.
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31 Days of Prayer for the School Year
As we move into August and prepare for the return to schooling, let's all unite in praying for this school year together for the next 31 days. Here is a calendar of those prayer prompts. Also be looking for daily reminders via our social media posts. Together we can help start this school year on a firm foundation.
Nursery Reopening for Worship Service
August 2nd our nursery will be reopening during the worship hour. Several new policies will be in place. Please do not enter the nursery. We are trying to keep it as sanitized as possible. A worker will meet you at the desk. All little ones and workers will have their temperature taken before entering the nursery. There will be no shoes in the nursery for littles ones, this helps us keep the room cleaner. Please send socks with them. We will be wearing socks or shoe coverings. Finally if anyone in your family has been exposed or is showing any symptoms of illness do not come, stay home and get better. We miss your little ones and can't wait to see them, but please err on the side of caution. Mrs. Chandra
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Reverend Smith’s Scripture reference for August 2, is from Genesis 25:19-34. His sermon topic is “The Desert of Deception”. The Prelude played by Annette Breazeale and Bill Marshall is “Others”
(an old hymn which many may remember with lyrics pertaining to Christian love and service from
The Cokesbury Hymnal. The first hymn for the service is “O God of Every Nation” sung to the tune of “O Jesus, I Have Promised” from
The United Methodist Hymnal. The Anthem for the day is “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” arranged by McDonald. The last hymn is “Let There Be Peace on Earth” from
The United Methodist Hymnal. Bill Marshall will be playing “Work, for the Night Is Coming” for the postlude, also an old hymn from
The Cokesbury Hymnal. Words to the hymns are written here for your convenience
NEW PIANO IN FELLOWSHIP HALL
As you walk past the Fellowship Hall you will see a beautiful baby grand piano given to our church in memory of Billie Stevenson by her family. We will treasure this gift for years to come and think of Billie each time it is played. There will be a time in the future when we will have a formal dedication of the piano (a time when we can all safely gather as a congregation with Billie’s family in the Fellowship Hall and celebrate with Bill Marshall playing one of his glorious piano solos!). Thanks so much to Billie’s children, especially to Tammy Orms, for blessing our church with this beautiful gift.
On a personal note, I want to thank our great music staff members and Worship Committee members for all they do in worship planning. Big “hugs and kisses” (through the mask, of course) to Pastor Matt for timely worship directives, Bill Marshall, Annette Breazeale for hymn playing and planning, Stewart Kouba, Loring Marshall, Lamon Geddie, Chandra Sorrells and sons (especially Ray and Nick), and ALL of our soloists and instrumentalists who have so graciously prepared and will be preparing for special music during the last few months and for months ahead. As we gradually and carefully move ahead to get back into choir, handbells, and children’s choir, we may have to “tackle” our musical presentations to God in creative ways! BUT WE WILL GET IT DONE
! See you in Worship!! Lora
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“O God of Every Nation”
O God of every nation, of every race and land
Redeem your whole creation with your almighty hand.
Where hate and fear divide us and bitter threats are hurled
In love and mercy guide us, and heal our strife worn world.
Lord, strengthen all who labor that all may find release
From fear of harm and danger, from dread of hate increase
When hope and courage falter, let your voice be heard;
With faith that none can alter, your servants undergird.
Keep bright in us the vision of days when war shall cease
When hatred and division give way to love and peace,
Till dawns the morning glorious when truth and justice reign,
And Christ shall rule victorious over all the world’s domain.
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“Let There Be Peace on Earth”
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me;
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God our creator, children all are we.
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now.
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow;
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
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Words to Anthem for August 2, 2020
“There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” by McDonald
There is welcome for the sinner and more graces for the good;
There is mercy with Savior; there is healing in his blood.
But we make his love too narrow by false limits of our own;
And we magnify his strictness with a zeal he will not own.
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in his justice, which is more than liberty.
If our love were but more simple, we could take him at his word;
And our lives would be more loving in the likeness of our Lord.
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in his justice which is more than liberty.
There is kindness, there is justice, there is mercy that’s wider than the sea;
There is goodness, there’s forgiveness, God’s mercy over me.
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in his justice which is more than liberty.
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First United Methodist Church offers
grocery pickup and delivery
to members of our church with compromised immune systems who do not need to come in contact with larger groups. Click the button below to order and prepay for your groceries from Brookshire’s in Gilmer, and we can have another church member pick it up for you and deliver it to your home. We can even leave it at your door if you need to have zero contact.
Before placing your order contact Dolly Robison at 903-931-2077 so that she can find a member available and a good time for them to pick up and deliver your groceries. You will also need the name of the pick up/delivery person so that you can put it with your order.
If you are a member and have free time and a car to help with the delivery service, please contact Dolly Robison at
jtanddolly@yahoo.com
to let her know you are available.
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For instructions on how to save
firstgilmer.org to your phone's homescreen, select the device you are using below.
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iOS Device
(Safari Browser)
1) Open up Safari and load
firstgilmer.org
2) At the bottom of the screen you'll see an icon depicting an arrow that looks like it's trying to get away from a square. Tap this button.
3) Once tapped you will have a few options. Scroll until you see the "Add to Home Screen" option. Select this one.
4) You'll be asked to choose a name for the homescreen icon. So, you know, pick a good one and save it. When you're done it'll show up on your homescreen and you'll have us right there on your home screen.
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Android Device
(Chrome Browser)
1) Open up Chrome and load
firstgilmer.org
2) Then touch the overflow button (three vertical dots) and select Add to Home Screen.
3) All you have to do is touch Add and the site will join your other apps and widgets.
4) One recommendation: you can customize the text below the icon, Just touch the text inside of the Add to Home Screen box and change it up.
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For the time being, if you give by check, please mail it to FUMC at 105 N. Montgomery St., Gilmer, TX 75644, or to P.O. Box 1132, Gilmer, TX 75644. Online and text options are available as well.
To give
online
,
click here
(choose General Budget)
To give by
text
, text the amount + GIVEFUMC to 45777 (for example: $50 GIVEFUMC)
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New P.O. Box Option
Please use the P.O. Box for all your mail. We no longer will have mail delivered to 105 N. Montgomery St. Address as follows:
First United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 1132
Gilmer, TX 75644
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Pray For Our Friends
Judy Avery, Ceci Crombie, Kathy Daniels, Roy Helpenstill, Dr. David Jenkins,
Sue Lansdale, Sarah Monk, Steve Williams, Barbara Williams, Norma Hough, Aaron Dudley, Peggy Bledsoe, Betty Butler, Paul David Williams, Janice Mullen, Lynn Davis, Billie Thomas, Betty Wallace's nephew, Eddie Harter, Ed Orms, Tammy Orms, Scott Bowden
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Connecting
real people to a
real
relationship with
JESUS
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