The United Methodist Church of Burlington

Volume 27, Issue 1

January, 2016

INNER CLOTHING

A Sermon Based on Colossians 3:12-17

by Pastor Scott Hannon Sharing God’s Love

Christian Ed. News

2

3

Footprints News

Volunteer Schedule

4

5

Events Calendar

Give Christmas Away

6

7

Baby Shower

Council Minutes

8

9

Sermon

10-11

8

Inside:

JOIN US

SUNDAYS!

8:15 am Worship

9:15 am Sunday

School

10:30 am Worship

11:30 am Hospitality

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against some-one. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

One of my brother ‘n laws says he is not a clothes horse. Just in case you

do not know what a clothes-horse is: It is “a person whose chief interest and

pleasure is dressing fashionably.” Admittedly, I am not a clothes horse, either.

But I do try to wear colors that match. However, last Sunday, I walked out to the

kitchen with a pair of brown trousers and a blue sport coat. Carol told me that

brown and blue do not go well together. I thought those trousers were gray. I

have got to turn the lights on in the bedroom when I get dressed.

I doubt if the Apostle Paul was a clothes-horse. Yet in our scripture les-

son above, he makes a fashion statement. He says to wear the following items of

clothing: compassion, kindness, humility, and patience. But of course, you do

not put on those items. Instead you put them into your self, making them part of

your character. Continues on page 10

“Sharing God’s

Love with

Coffey County

and the World”

BUMC VISION, MISSION AND GOALS

REMAIN VITAL IN 2016

Vision: Sharing God’s love with Coffey County and the world.

Mission: to ignite a Christ-centered passion through serving and caring for others

Goals: Increase Communication

Encourage Relationships and Christian Growth

Mission – Outreach to the Community and World.

P a g e 2

BUMC…..SHARING GOD’S LOVE This section is devoted to sharing

examples of our congregation acting on our

mission of “Sharing God’s Love with Coffey

County and the World.” If you want to recog-

nize someone for sharing God’s love with you or

others, please email the church office at lmas-

ters@ umcburlington.org for its possible inclu-

sion in the newsletter. The deadline for submit-

ting newsletter information is the twentieth of each month.

You Are Invited!

Call for a Visit!

Get to know

Pastor Scott better!

He would like to hear

from you.

If you would like a

visit, please call him (913-522-

0098) or call the church office

(364-2181) to set a time you are

available. He can visit your

home or you can meet at the

church.

Join us Sundays at 8:15 am

or 10:30 am worship!

Messages will be based on the

following scriptures:

Jan. 3: Eph. 3:1-12

Jan. 10: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Jan. 17: 1 Cor. 12:1-11

Jan. 24: 1 Cor. 12:12-31

Jan. 31: 1 Cor. 13:1-13

Scriptures for

January’s

Sermons

Shelly Thorp and Sherry Fejfar created beautiful new Christmas

decorations for BUMC, adding to their decoration gifts from last year.

Their donations of time, talent, and the gorgeous decorations were enjoyed

by all who visited and worshiped at BUMC his season. Thank you!

Thank you to all who helped dress the church for Christmas, and to

those who un-decorated. Johnny and Dawn Freeman spent extra time co-

ordinating and tackling the project. Thank you to the Witness Committee

for providing lunch following the decorating project.

Many, many BUMC family and friends were involved in the Giv-

ing Christmas Away program. Please see a summary on page 7 of how

BUMC shared God’s love through this annual project.

Judy Stukey offers a part of her morning each Monday to count the

offering plate’s bills and coins with Luella Masters. This routine is part of

a process to ensure the security of the cash along with double-checking the

accuracy of the deposit. The identifiable portion of the offering (including

checks) is not included in the weekly co-counting to maintain discretion in

giving. Becky Reeves and Barb Merry secure the offering in bags follow-

ing worship services each Sunday. Thank you to all who give their time to

maintain security in collecting money and maintain privacy.

Christmas Eve service required extra volunteers sharing their time

on this special evening. Thank you to special music providers Wayne

Kirchner and Kari Gales. Sheree Damashek is generous to share her talent

through all occasions. Communion Stewards along with Pastor Scott were

Richard and Susan Croll, Alan and Dianne Barrett, Judy Stukey, Amy and

Carie Collins. Austin Croll was videographer, and the Crolls and Barretts

were greeters. Thank you to all!

E-Mail

Devotions

Available

Devotions from Pastor Scott

are available through email.

If you are currently not

receiving them but you would

like to, please share your email

address with the church office

(lmasters@umcburlington.org).

If you are receiving email

devotions and would rather not,

please notify the church

office as well.

MEN’S BREAKFAST MEETINGS

MOVE TO 7 AM

The BUMC men’s breakfast meeting is the second Friday of each

month. January’s meeting is Friday the 9th at 7 am. Previously gathering

an hour earlier, the group hopes the new 7 am start will enable more

participants to attend.

All men are invited. A cooking rotation changes monthly. This

month Bob Culbertson’s team is providing breakfast.

P a g e 3

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS

by Director Adrienne Fleming

SHARING

GOD’S LOVE

by

Council Chair

Carie Collins As most of you already

know our vision statement is

“Sharing God’s love with

Coffey County and the World”.

It is pretty easy to share God’s

love with our community, but

how do we make a difference in

our World?

The United Methodist

Church helps guide us by

designating six “Special Giving

Sundays”. These offerings

allow us to offer refuge in times

of disaster, promote peace and

justice, provide scholarships

and student loans, teach skills to

encourage self-sufficiency and

share the love of Jesus Christ

with God’s people everywhere.

The Six Sundays in 2016

are:

Human Relations Day - January

17; One Great Hour of Sharing-

March 16; Native American

Ministries -April 10; Peace with

Justice - May 22; World Com-

munion Sunday -October 2;

United Methodist Student Day -

November 27.

Our church would like to

challenge each family to donate

at least $1 for each giving Sun-

day. Just think what a differ-

ence you could make in some-

one’s life and be sharing God’s

love with our world!!

To learn more about these

Special Sundays go to

www.umc.org/how-we-serve/

special-sundays.

Greetings and Happy 2016!

At the start of a new year, I love to sit down and review the many

blessings the Lord afforded me over the past year. Life can be all too hec-

tic, and somehow counting my blessings always helps me to put things in

perspective. I also love to make goals for the New Year. Below is a list of

BUMC’s small group offerings. I hope you will consider joining one of

them in fellowship!

Preschool – 5th Grade One Room Sunday School: Bob and Carol

Culbertson teach this class at 9:30 am. The Deep Blue Sunday School

Curriculum is used to bring stories of the Bible to life. Class members

enjoy a short video introducing the message for the day, crafts, games, and

special conversations with Indy the Dog!

6th Grade – Senior High: Richard and Susan Croll lead this youth

class in the youth room at the far end of the classroom hallway at 9:15 am.

They use puppets to explore and express the meaning of scriptures as well

as create presentations to share with the congregation.

Adult Sunday School: Adults meet each Sunday and enjoy lively

discussion in the BUMC library at 9:15 am. Currently, they are complet-

ing Adam Hamilton’s The Call: The Life and Message of the Apostle Paul.

If you have a study you are interested in doing, please bring your idea to

this class!

Lunch Hour Study: This group meets in the BUMC Library every

Monday from noon to 1 pm. They are studying Max Lucado’s Life Les-

sons: The Book of James. Bring your lunch and enjoy this fun group and

lively discussion! The next study will be Lucado’s study of Acts.

Thursday Women’s Bible Study: This group meets at 10 am

every Thursday in BUMC’s Garst Hall. The group is working their way

through the book of Genesis.

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast: All men are invited to join this int-

ergenerational group! They meet at 7 am every second Friday of the

month in Garst Hall. The men are split into groups and take turns cooking.

This is a wonderful way for men to form Christ-centered relationships that

help grow their faith. Speakers are sometimes invited to share a message.

Footprints (6th grade through Seniors): BUMC’s youth group

meets each Sunday evening at 5:30 pm for dinner and discussion. At

BUMC, our goal is to lead our teenagers to personal dynamic relationships

to God that they carry throughout their lives. This happens when teenagers

know AND live out the foundational truths of their faith. Richard and

Susan Croll lead this exciting group.

I pray you will make a small group at BUMC part of your New

Year! If you don’t see a topic or time that appeals to you, do not hesitate

to let me know! May peace and joy surround you and yours!

In His love,

Adrienne

P a g e 4

Christ's love to you all!

With the start of a new year, comes the start of a renewed commit-

ment to our Lord and Savior! Our last topic of last year and our first of this

year both centered on just that, our commitment to our fellow man and our

commitment to Jesus. How about you? Have you evaluated your commit-

ment to God lately?

Our Footprints will be walking over to the Christian Church on Janu-

ary 17th for what has become an annual concert for the area churches. Last

year saw a few youth from Neodesha and several from Bartlesville journey

up Highway 75 to see what's happening in Coffey County. This year should

be no different with a wonderful praise and worship time followed by a brief

lesson. Cloverton will be headlining this year's event. It starts with dinner at

our church and then off to the Christian Church for the 6:30 start time. I be-

lieve the evening concludes between 8:30 and 9 PM. Keep in mind, there is no school the following Monday,

so that is why the concert is set for this date.

In the event you recall our group going to the OneEvent, we aren't going to make it this year. It is in

Grand Island, Nebraska, again, but it is scheduled for the end of January instead of the beginning. The prob-

lem with this is ball games for the kids and schedules for the adults. We are sorry to have to miss this awe-

some conference event, but we aren't going to miss the snow and ice of Nebraska in the winter.

Our next event will actually be in February: our annual Sweet Heart Dinner on Valen-

tine's Day following the late service! The menu has been set: choice of brisket or marinated

chicken breast, cheesy bacon ranch potatoes, seasoned green beans, dinner roll, tossed greens

and baked New York style cheesecake. Look for the sign-up sheet to be circulated in the near

future to help with the number of meals we make. While reservations aren't required, please

help a footie out and sign up! Similar to years past, we will have a free will donation, but keep

in mind we are spending about $7 per person on this dinner, so please give generously!

Several of you have asked about the numbers we have attending these days. It depends on what is go-

ing on with the kids, but we average about 20,

and range anywhere from 16 to 25. Some

people have donated money to feed the gang,

others have cooked things like chili, burgers,

enchiladas, tacos and crock pot casseroles.

The kids aren't too picky about what they eat

as long as it doesn't have too many veggies in

it (especially peas and peppers). If you are

interested in fixing dinner for us, talk to one

of us and we'll help you decide on what you'd

like to do.

Thank you for all your prayers and

support for all of us, we appreciate all of our

church family!

God bless!

Richard and Susan

FOOTPRINTS YOUTH NEWS

by Youth Director Richard Croll

BUMC Footprints

The youth group meets

Sundays at 5:30 pm at the

church. The youth room is

located on the top floor at the

north end of the hallway.

Sixth graders through

twelfth graders are invited to

enjoy dinner, fellowship, a

lesson, activities, and many

special events.

The youth provided fun and lively musical entertainment following the

Christmas program. They are pictured here at their annual Christmas party.

P a g e 5

JANUARY WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS

January 10 8:15 Service Worship Leader: Diane Williams

Video: Amy Collins/Lanny Ratzlaff

Scripture: Diane Williams

10:30 Service Worship Leader: Harold Stubby

Video: Nik Alfers

Scripture: Zoe Caldwell

Ushers: The Hudson Family

Acolytes: Brenden and Aiden Alfers

Child. Church: Dianne Barrett

Children’s Message: Oggie, Susan Croll

Nursery: Isaac Caldwell

Hospitality: Geneva and Terry Bussard

January 17 8:15 Service Worship Leader: Carie Collins

Video: Amy Collins/Lanny Ratzlaff

Scripture: Carie Collins

10:30 Service Worship Leader: Johnny Freeman

Video: Liz Caldwell

Scripture: Joyce Hopkins

Ushers: Needed

Acolytes: Josie and Sage Fejfar

Child. Church: Kathy Gales

Children’s Message: Carol Culbertson

Nursery: Zoe Caldwell

Hospitality: The Greg Hudson Family

January 24 8:15 Service Worship Leader: Judy Stukey

Video: Amy Collins/Lanny Ratzlaff

Scripture: Judy Stukey

10:30 Service Worship Leader: Bob Culbertson

Video: Austin Croll

Scripture: Judy Rhodes

Ushers: Terry and Geneva Bussard

Acolytes: Shalonn Wright and Drue Thorp

Child. Church: Tina Decker

Children’s Message: Elizabeth Hudson

Nursery: Kaitlyn Caldwell

Hospitality: Harold and Jolene Stubby

We Need, Appreciate

BUMC Volunteers If you are unable to serve on the day

scheduled, please feel free to trade with

another person and let the church office

know (364-2181 or lmasters@ umcburling-

ton.org). Reminders are emailed weekly.

If you see an area of ministry in

which you are interested, please let us

know. We appreciate your ideas and your

time. Let us support you in using your

gifts and talents at BUMC as we serve and

worship together.

January 3 8:15 Service Worship Leader: Carie Collins

Video: Amy Collins / Lanny Ratzlaff

Scripture: Jane Griffith

10:30 Service Worship Leader: Mark Petterson

Video: Weston Fleming

Scripture: Mark Petterson

Ushers: Ron and Paula Bruce

Acolytes: Hayden and Hannah Sides

Child. Church: Tina Decker

Children’s Message: Pastor Scott Hannon

Nursery: Teela Burrell

Hospitality: Dawn and Johnny Freeman

January 31 8:15 Service Worship Leader: Roger Cole

Video: Amy Collins/Lanny Ratzlaff

Scripture: Bev Yokum

10:30 Service Worship Leader: Cindy Joy

Video: Weston Fleming

Scripture: Kaitlyn Caldwell

Ushers: Needed

Acolytes: Elijah Caldwell and Kenny Glenn

Child. Church: Dianne Barrett

Children’s Message: Luella Masters

Nursery: Bremden Alfers

Hospitality: Needed

P a g e 6

P a g e 7

BUMC, YOU GAVE CHRISTMAS AWAY!

Throughout Advent BUMC “gave Christmas away” in many ways to fulfill the vision of sharing God’s

love with Coffey County and the world. Let’s extend our giving attitude into 2016!

Christmas cards were written to many homebound and distant

friends to remind them that they remain in BUMC’s hearts.

Through Socks and Undies Sundays BUMC collected new socks

and underclothes to benefit the elementary school’s clothes closet

and God’s Storehouse. Socks and undies are the least-often donated

clothing items for clothing closets. This year 213 pairs of socks and 131

undies were collected. Check out the accompanying chart to compare to

past years’ collections. We appreciate Toni Allen for organizing, displaying,

sorting, and delivering this great collection.

Twenty-two goody plates were organized and delivered to home-

bound friends. Thank you to so many who baked, plated, and visited

recipients, and delivered the plates. Pictured at right are a few of the

volunteers who plated the fruit, cookies, cupcakes, and candies, and organ-

ized them for delivery.

Thirty carolers caravanned to carol following 10:30 service on Sun-

day, Dec. 20. The singers (pictured below) visited The Meadows

and Life Care Center to share God’s love through traditional Christ-

mas songs.

Twenty-one households were adopted through ECKAN’s Adopt-a-Family

program. Income-qualifying individuals apply for adoption at the ECKAN

center, and BUMC volunteers are matched with families needing help with Christmas

gifts. The generosity of BUMC in this program is unmatched. One couple has devel-

oped a tradition of adopting three families each Christmas rather than exchanging gifts

with one another. Other families involve their children in helping choose gifts for

other children. God’s love is shared in a wonderful variety of ways.

Jolene Stubby organized and wrote a Christmas program including the chil-

dren, youth, and choir. The Christmas story and music were shared along with

refreshments provided by volunteers and served by the Christian Ed. Commit-

tee. Thank you to all who gave Christmas away in special, intentional ways!

Year Total Socks Undies

2015 335 213 131

2014 379 226 153

2013 349 159 190

2012 470 298 172

2011 362 225 137

Carolersat the Life Care Center included: Rita Beard, Heather and Kaitlyn Borden, Jolene Stubby, Glenda Jones, Bob Culbertson,

Jane Griffith, Brian Masters, David Douglass, Kathy Gales, Carol Culbertson, Becky Reeves, Glenda Combes, Mark Petterson,

Carol Hannon, Thomas Hudson and Richard Croll, Greg Hudson, Weston Fleming, Thyra Davis, Adrienne Fleming, Theresa Pryor,

Joan Murphy, Susan Croll, Sue Rodgers, Jay Atkin, Mark Murphy, Pastor Scott Hannon, and Luella Masters.

Volunteers organize and plate the goodies

to be delivered the week of December 13.

Special visitors greeted kids

in an entertaining event after

the program.

P a g e 8

Thank You for Sharing Your Poinsettias

Dedications included: Dan and Linda Allen for Loved Ones and Military Members;

Kathi Bahr and Family for Oscar & Louise Zscheile & Loved Ones; Steve & Verla Bar-

tholomew for Don & Delores Bartholomew; Rita Beard for Loved Ones; Heather, Kaitlyn

& Sophia Borden for Miguel, Esteban & Isabella; Ron & Paula Bruce for Loved Ones;

Richard Croll family for Jim & Verna Croll; Jerilyn Curtiss for Mom & Dad; Dalby Girls

for “Papa” Ike Dalby; Shirley Daniel for Glen, Thelma & RD Anderson & for Jerry

Daniel; Sherry Fejfar & family for Jim Leach & Grandpa Ellis & for Dennis & Mabel

Blohm; Kathy Gales & family for Larry Gales; Richard, Tina, Misty & Ross Gilbert for

Harold Scharff & for Raymond & LaVonnabelle Gilbert; Jane Hartley for Nella Hartley &

for Herb Hartley; Steve & Joyce Hopkins for Art Hopkins, Charles & Alma Renfro; Glenda Jones for Don

Jones & for Scott Jones; Stan & Linda Luke for Loved Ones; Mary Logan for Marion Logan & Florence

McCaul; Brother Kyle, Mother & Terry Olde (Sis) for Kirk Manwaring; Gene & Barbara Merry for Loved

Ones; Mark & Joan Murphy for Parents & for Grandparents; Ron Pearson family for Loved Ones; Theresa

CW Pryor for Charley, Charles, Charleen & Chyanne Shope; Brian, Brady & Brett Rand for Lori Rand; Glenn

& Karen Reeves for Loved Ones; Forrest & Judy Rhodes for Loved Ones; Forrest & Sylvia Robrahn for

Loved Ones; Elmarie Scharff for Harold Scharff; Bill & Sharon Shoup for Melvin & Mildred Schif; Bernice

Sucec for Mary Zant, Elizabeth Sucec; Nancy Thompson for Judd Thompson; Joan White for James W.

White, Sr.; Lila Zscheile & Family for Carl Zscheile & for Merle & Bill Ray, Robert Ray.

HOW DO YOU WANT

TO SERVE?

A SHOWER & BRUNCH

will celebrate

Wes & Adrienne Fleming’s

New Bundle of Joy!

Saturday, January 30

10:30 am

Garst Fellowship Hall

All Women are Invited!

Hosted by Monday Bible Study Group

With the start of 2016, there are lots of

opportunities to make resolutions or commit-

ments. How do you want to serve Christ? How

do you want to serve with your BUMC family?

If you feel led to serve on a committee,

please visit with Pastor Scott or a Lay Leader-

ship Committee member. Several committees

are open for membership. The Finance

Committee is especially in need of interested

participants.

If you feel led to share hospitality, please

sign up on the coffee and cookies schedule

posted on the church office window.

Ushers and greeters are needed for the

new year. This schedule is also posted on the

church office window.

The funeral luncheon committee list will

be posted in the next newsletter, but helpers are

always welcome. If you have never done this or

if you would like to be placed on a different

quarter’s committee, please contact the church

office.

There are countless ways to serve. Let us

know if you would like to discuss opportunities!

P a g e 9

DECEMBER COUNCIL MINUTES

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Carie Collins December 9 at 7:10 pm

Members present Carie Collins, Pastor Scott Hannon, Roger Cole, Harold Stubby, John Freeman, Dawn Free-

man, Luella Masters, Becky Reeves, David Douglass, Gary Simmons, and Terry Bussard.

Pastor Scott opened the meeting with a prayer.

The minutes of the 11/12/15 Special Church Council meeting and the Church Conference Meeting of

11/15/15 were approved. The motion was made by David Douglass and seconded by Johnny Freeman. The

motion passed.

Finance-Becky presented the November financial report. There was a gain of $8,346.79 for the month.

All the apportionments have been paid.

Karen Kaufman sent notes to Carie in regard to the Finance Committee. She thanked all those that

helped with the finance campaign. It was very successful with a 45% increase in commitment cards being

completed.

Witness Committee-Dawn Freeman. She stated that there was going to be one Christmas Eve Service

at 6:00 PM. The Christmas Program is this Sunday. Christmas Caroling will be December 20. The com-

mittee is considering a change in the worship schedule. The consideration is to have Sunday school at the

same time as the second worship service and possibly moving the second service to 9:30 AM. There will be

additional discussion will be held before bringing a proposal to the council.

Staff Parish Relations-Terry Bussard. It was reported that the committee completed the year end

evaluation of Pastor Scott.

David Douglass stated that he is researching a problem with the church’s e-mail. Some e-mail is not

arriving at the church.

Trustees-Gary Simmons The inspection of the parsonage has been completed. The church will need to

consider addressing the replacement of the roof. There is ongoing research to soundproofing the kitchen and

at this point a solution has not been found. The lawn mower has been serviced and is ready for winter.

There was then a discussion about a planning session that would be held to address the direction of the

church. A possibility of a large meeting for brainstorming was discussed and then follow up for a smaller

group of perhaps 10 people. The main two questions that should be addressed by the congregation are (1)

What do you want the church to be and (2) What are you willing to do to get there?

A date of Saturday, January 16, the time will be 9 AM to Noon, was suggested for the meeting.

The goals of the church were set forth at the annual conference.

Carie mentioned several improvements that have been made to help meet the church's goals.

Foundation-John Freeman. John stated that the Foundation has voted to support the Meals on Wheels

program with a $500 donation.

Events of the church were mentioned, the Christmas Program, the Christmas Eve Service and Christ-

mas Caroling.

Other business. Judy Stukey has talked to Carie about Michael and Dianne Myers who need some

help. Mr. Myers has cancer and Mrs. Myers works at Hoovers. They have problems with the foundation of

their home, which as collapsed on the furnace. The furnace does not work now and the home has no heat.

There was mention of a fundraiser for them to assist them with some of their expenses.

There may be a meeting scheduled in January to discuss the change in the worship schedule.

There was a motion to adjourn the meeting, by Luella Masters.

Respectfully,

Roger Cole

P a g e 10

Inner Clothing, Continued from Page 1

I love it when others show me compassion and kindness. They

extend a helping hand when I have fallen. They reach out to me when I am

in need. They tell I am loved, when I feel I am not. They build me up when

life has broken me. They demonstrate the love of Jesus to me.

Unfortunately, compassion and kindness are missing from our

nation’s dialogue. Instead of being compassionate and kind, we are

encouraged to be distrustful of persons who are different from us. But

fortunately, we have things that challenge our assumptions about those

persons. One such thing was a devotion for November 18, which appeared

in the Upper Room.

“After a very long flight, I emerged from the Paris metro car feeling weary. I struggled with the two

large pieces of luggage I had brought with me.

An escalator surely must be nearby, I thought.

“But as I turned the corner, I sighed and dropped my bags. The escalator was out of service. Rush

hour was just beginning and hundreds of Parisians passed me by, hurrying to their destinations, never even

noticing, or perhaps irritated, that I had stopped in their path. Suddenly I felt someone reaching for the bag on

my right. When I realized the woman was reaching not to steal my bag but to carry it for me, I grabbed the

other bag and together we made the trek.

“My good Samaritan was a young Muslim woman wearing a hijab. When we reached the tree-lined

avenue outside the metro station, she left my bag and proceeded on her way. All I could do was yell,

“Shukran!” the Arabic word for “thank you.”

“This woman saw my need and met it. Her action reminded me that no matter who we are, where we

come from, or the basis of our faith, in the end we are all God’s children. Her kindness inspired me to show

hospitality to friends and strangers alike.” We have famous people who teach us to be compassionate and kind. One such person is Abraham

Lincoln, who is perhaps the most beloved of all our presidents. While not perfect, he set a grand example for

us to emulate. But not everyone appreciated the example he set. For example, he “was criticized for speaking

of benevolent treatment for the Southern rebels. The critic reminded Lincoln that there was a war going on, the

Confederates were the enemy, and they should be destroyed. But Lincoln wisely responded, ‘I destroy my

enemies when I make them my friends.’”

“Once in October 1862, Mr. Lincoln visited a hospital where Confederate soldiers wounded from the

Battle of Antietam. He asked a soldier whose leg had been amputated, ‘Would you shake hands with me if I

were to tell you who I am.’ When the Confederate said yes, Mr. Lincoln told him: ‘I am Abraham Lincoln,

President of the United States.’ The eyes of both men filled with tears.

“A Confederate colonel recalled being visited by the President: ‘He halted beside my bed and held out

his hand. I was lying on my back, my knees drawn up, my hands folded across my breast. Looking him in the

face, as he stood with extended hand, 'Mr. President,' I said, 'do you know to whom you offer your hand?' 'I do

not,' he replied. 'Well,' said I, 'you offer it to a Confederate colonel who has fought you as hard as he could for

four years.' 'Well,' said he, 'I hope a Confederate colonel will not refuse me his hand.' 'No, sir,' I replied, 'I will

not,' and I clasped his hand in both of mine.”

In verse 13 of our scripture lesson, the Apostle Paul tells us to,

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends

you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Each

one of us has faults, although we are far more likely to notice someone

else’s faults. Recognizing that each one of us has faults, we are called to

forgive anyone who offends us. To make that clear, Paul tells us that

since the Lord forgave us, we must forgive others.

Continues on next page.

P a g e 11

Inner Clothing, Continued from Page 10

Emphasizing the need to forgive others is the Lord’s Prayer, wherein we pray: “And forgive us our

trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” The implication is: If we do not forgive others, God

will not forgive us. However, I think God can and does forgive us, even if we do not forgive others. Here is

why: God’s forgiveness is not conditional on what we do or do not do. God’s forgiveness is offered according

to God’s own terms. So according to David Timms, who wrote the book Living the Lord’s Prayer, the implica-

tion that God cannot forgive us if we do not forgive others is meant to be a hyperbole. It is meant to get our

attention. To explain why we should forgive others, he says, “How dare we beg for grace with no intention of

extending that same grace to others. How impudent of us to plead for forgiveness while harboring bitterness

and resentment against others.” Not forgiving others while seeking forgiveness is hypocritical, but does not

make us unforgivable.

In verse 14 of our scripture lesson, Paul introduces another piece of clothing: Love, which holds the

other items together. As to how, think about it this way: If I love you, I will be compassionate by being willing

to suffer with you. If I love you, I will be kind to you by treating you like I want to be treated. If I love you, I

will be humble by allowing you to be the star. If I love you, I will be gentle by having a deliberate kindness in

my relationship with you. If I love you, I will be patient by accepting God's pace of developing your relation-

ship with him. If I love you, I will hold our relationship together by being compassionate, kind, humble, gen-

tle, and patient.

It’s an old but beautiful story. A young boy walks into a pet shop to buy a puppy. The owner shows

him what he has. The boy looks over each one carefully and finally makes his pick, one with a misshapen leg.

The owner says, “Son, you don’t want that one. He can’t even stand well. He’ll never be able to run or fetch

anything. Pick another.” The boy hikes up one pant leg revealing a prosthetic leg and replies, “Nope. This is

the one for me. I know what it’s like not to be able to run or play. I’ll really be able to help him.”

Whenever I hear from people who appreciate what we do for them, I get warm and fuzzy feelings. As

to what I have heard, I have heard many compliments about our volunteering at the school and God's Store-

house. It is great being the pastor of a congregation that loves people in meaningful ways.

People appreciate a church that reaches out to help without expecting anything in return. I think people

appreciate a church like that because they recognize Jesus in such a church. You see, Jesus healed, taught, and

fed persons without expecting anything in return. He did not even expect loyalty. Some of the persons he

helped betrayed him. I like to think he knew this beforehand and still helped them out.

It is the “no strings attached” type of ministry that draws me to Jesus. I just think people should be

helped because they need help. Sure, some people take advantage of getting help with no strings attached. So

what? If a few of them, even just one, sees Jesus when they receive help, it is worth being taken advantage of.

That is why it is so helpful to be as humble as possible. Why? Through being humble, we are less concerned

about people taking advantage of us.

Each day as you get dressed, do not just pay attention to the clothing you put on your body. Also pay

attention to the clothing you put on your inside. Imagine yourself dressing yourself on the inside with compas-

sion, kindness, humility, and patience.

If you are less able than others to be compassionate, kind, humble, and patient, perhaps Jesus has you

on a different path of spiritual development than others are on. It is said that Jesus offers things to us when we

are ready to receive them. So when Jesus knows you are ready, you will receive them. But make sure you

cooperate with Jesus in his plan for you to become more like him.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/clothes%20horse

http://devotional.upperroom.org/devotionals/2015-11-18

http://odb.org/2012/07/26/changing-enemies-into-friends/

http://mrlincolnandfriends.org/inside.asp?pageID=26&subjectID=1

Ibid. (Kindle Locations 1149-1150)

Fuquay, Rob (2014-10-03). The God We Can Know: Exploring the "I Am" Sayings of Jesus (Kindle

Locations 212-217). Upper Room Books. Kindle Edition.

Vo l u me 2 7 , I s s ue 1 Address Service Requested

Presorted

U. S. Postage Paid

Burlington KS

Permit No #55

Burlington United Methodist Church

207 South 6th Street

Burlington, KS 66839

Pastor Scott Hannon

Phone: 620-364-2181

Office Hours: 8-Noon Weekdays

BUMC

Saturday, Jan. 16, 9 am to Noon

Burlington Library Conference Room

Come help plan strategies for effective ministry at BUMC.

Refreshments will be provided.

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