Word Interpreted: Stubble to Stem

The anthem is Psalm 86.

Hymn of the Week: United Methodist Hymnal 333, I’m Goin’a Sing When The Spirit Says Sing. As we mark Black History Month, we will draw on the rich tradition of spirituals—this one is said to be a reaction to stilted worship!

This Week and Upcoming
Chili Cook-Off Mission Lunch, Sunday, Feb. 5, UMYF sponsored for the Souper Bowl of Caring
Witness Team, Sunday, Feb. 5, meets following lunch
Susannah Wesley Circle, Monday, Feb. 6, 7:30 PM in the library
Pullen Memorial Baptist Church Orchestra, Sunday, Feb. 12 at the morning service
Finance Committee, Sunday, Feb. 12, following lunch
New Circle, Monday, Feb. 13, 11:00 AM in the Margaret Hooke-Wesley Bible Class room
Board of Trustees, Monday, Feb. 13, 7:00 PM in the church library

Hello, LIVE! Friends!

The music keeps on rolling, this week we welcome back the wonderful Ronetia Steward!

In this series of meditations, I am seeking to capture some of the great themes of the Bible – a rich treasure chest from which to draw!

Sunday, the question is asked of Jesus,  “What is the greatest commandment?” The answer? There are not one but two! To read up on them, see Matthew 22:34-40.

I hope to see YOU Sunday!

Peace and Prayers,
Pastor Steve

Hello, Friends of Jesus!

It’s a brand spanking new month! February is Black History month, which we will celebrate in some musical ways.

Sunday morning worship includes the service of holy communion, a time when we bring an
offering for the poor. Our partner in ministry is Urban Ministries of Wake County. Month
by month, we receive a thank you letter for our commitment to sharing household and non-perishable goods, as well as our offerings of money.

In Epiphany, Jesus the Healer is much in evidence. We will focus on how in him the word of the prophet Isaiah comes to life. Isaiah 40:21-31 and Mark 1:29-39, “Stubble to Stem.”

Lunch is the Souper Bowl “chili cook-off” – MmmMmmm!

Peace and Prayers,
Pastor Steve

Even though I was reading about life in the Negro Leagues, and even though I sensed the underlying injustice that kept that separateness and inequality in place, I didn’t grasp that I was reading “black history.” If you think about it, that’s an odd way to read black history, kind of unknowingly, digging out the baseball stories, and in the midst of that saying, “You know, these guys could have played anywhere!” Their names were even compelling: Cool Papa Bell, Goose Tatum, Josh Gibson.

Until the history of African slaves and their offspring is fully a part of the American story, we need Black History Month. I am so grateful that Fairmont can claim to be the rehearsal home of the Martin Luther King, Jr, All Children’s Choir. And I am grateful that there is wonderful diversity at Sunday Night LIVE!, as well is throughout the many groups that gather in this place. Sunday morning? That’s still a work in progress.

Here’s today’s “Didja know?” In our own Methodist family tree, there are several black Wesleyan denominations. The African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) has roots in 1816 Philadelphia, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (AME Zion) in 1821 (and before) New York. Both formed as discrimination became intolerable for them. In 1870, a Methodist Church divided over slavery since 1844 encouraged the formation of the Colored (now Christian) Methodist Episcopal Church (CME). I reckon at that point it was the easier path.

One more. When the northern and southern “branches” of our church reunited in 1939, along with the Methodist Protestant Church (another story!), they made a provision for a “Central Jurisdiction,” keeping some separateness in place. It was devastating to the African American part of our family, who had come together in such high hopes of becoming one. Those that did not become CME churches were part of the northern branch. You might know that Wilson Temple United Methodist was one such, a mere 8/10 of a mile from us on Oberlin Road.

In 1968, the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren churches merged to  become United Methodists. A part of that event was the dissolution of the Central Jurisdiction. I grew up with EUBs, fine folks, so imagine my surprise when in 1975 I moved to a county not far away and found a seething anger about the 1968 merger. Do what? I learned that some (and it was only some) had
not read about Satchel Paige, nor did they care to. That might have helped.

Pastor Steve

Hello, LIVE! Friends!

I can scarcely believe it – the Fairmont Gospel Revue marks 14 years since our first performance. Think of that! Come a little early, 6:45, for some extra tunes!

We’re doing a project on the “Summaries,” the scripture’s encapsulations of the “the big picture.”

John 1:1-18, “The Word IS God.”

See you in church!?

Pastor Steve