Note from Bob – January 19, 2012

It was a lot of fun distributing Jesus Storybook Bibles last Sunday in worship. All parents of children ages 3 through 6 received this wonderful resource with their commitment to read these bibles from cover to cover to their children. Parents who weren’t present Sunday may pick up their storybook Bibles by contacting Liz Craig, lcraig. We believe that Christian formation begins in the home and we are here to help parents make that happen.

The message series 2012 The World in His Hands continues this week as we shift the focus of changing the culture from the home into the community and world. We believe that Jesus has moved into the neighborhood and wants us to be good neighbors. We’ll talk about specific ways as individuals and as the Body of Christ that we are/can do that through works of justice and mercy. Read Luke 10: 25-37 prior to coming to worship.

Schweitzer is hosting this Sunday evening a showing of Sex and Money. A National Search for Human Worth. This documentary reveals the disturbing reality of domestic sex trafficking and the abolitionist movement fighting to stop it. The film’s interview of federal agents, pimps, johns, and victims provides a powerful dose of reality. Who needs to see this film? Certainly High School students and their parents and anyone who is concerned about protecting and restoring the lives of people. I invite you to look at the trailer www.sexandmoneyfilm.com and invite others to Schweitzer this Sunday, January 22, 6-8pm.

Have been coming to Schweitzer for a while? Are you interested in learning more about Schweitzer? Are you thinking about making Schweitzer your church family? Come be a part of Come Meet Schweitzer this Sunday, Jan. 22, 11:00am to 1:00pm. Lunch and childcare is provided. It is a great opportunity to get a tour of our facilities and have conversations with the pastors. To register in advance, contact Jim Mason, 881-6800, jmason.

I look forward to seeing you in worship this Sunday.

Note from Bob – January 12, 2012

The New Year is starting out great at Schweitzer. There was a great crowd last Sunday in worship and lots of interest in our Midweek opportunities. I want to give you a few quick updates about what’s new in the next few weeks and share a very important announcement with you.

Financial Peace University is a great 13 week Dave Ramsey video course based on a small group experience for those who want to tell their money what to do and not the other way around. To learn more and to register for this course beginning January 22, click here.

Have you been coming to Schweitzer and want to take the next step in learning more about the church’s ministries? Are you interested in becoming a participating member of Christ’s Body at Schweitzer? You are invited to Come Meet Schweitzer, Sunday, January 22, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. To learn more and register for this event, email Jim Mason, jmason.

Did you miss the first message of the series 2012 The World’s In His Hands–Days Are Numbered? You can listen to it online schweitzerumc.org/messages. Come be a worshipper this Sunday in church as we talk about how our spiritual lives begins in the home.

Our Lead Associate Pastor Lori Lampert has faithfully served these past eleven plus years on our pastoral staff. It has become clear to Lori that God is calling her to move in a new direction. I want to share in this email the following note of Lori’s to the congregation:

Dear Schweitzer Family,

Since 1985 it has been my privilege and joy to be part of the Schweitzer Church Family. When I received my call in 2000 into ordained ministry, this church fully supported my efforts and blessed me with the ability to serve as an associate pastor. Through this position I have learned the value of living my life sold out for the kingdom of God and fallen deeply in love with Jesus Christ.

Being an Ordained Deacon in the Missouri Conference is very important to me. In our Book of Discipline it states: “From the earliest days of the church, deacons were called and set apart of the ministry of love, justice, and service; of connecting the church with the most needy, neglected, and marginalized among the children of God. This ministry grows out of the Wesleyan passion for social holiness and ministry among the poor.” Para 328

Through the ministry that I have been blessed to offer in Espwa (Hope Village) Haiti, since

September 2009 I have come to hear God’s call to serve beyond the local church in mission. I am therefore resigning my position as Lead Associate Pastor at SUMC effective June 30, 2012 in order to be available to this new call on my life. Currently I do not have a new position but I am confident that my resignation is a step God is asking me to make and that I am to trust Him with where it will lead.

As a Deacon, appointed to serve beyond the local church and approved to do so by our Bishop, I will need to be in relationship with a local congregation. It is my hope that SUMC and our Conference will agree to have that relationship continue with you.

I intend to do my work well the next six months. It is a priority to me that I do everything to help SUMC continue to grow as a church that gives glory to God and God uses through Holy Spirit to bring people to know and serve Jesus the Christ.

I am grateful to Bob Casady in so many ways as he has taught me above all to listen to God and serve Him alone. I am grateful to the staff and people of SUMC as they have been mentors, sojourners and friends on the continuing journey as followers of Jesus. What an amazing road it has been and will continue to be!

Blessings and Gratitude,

Lori Lampert

Lori has been a great blessing in this congregation and to me personally. I know you join me in experiencing mixed feelings of a sense of loss, deep gratitude and hopefulness. Lori has been a great witness to us as our pastor and will continue to be a blessing to us as she continues her relationship with Schweitzer in a new way in the future. Please join me in praying for God’s continued direction in Lori’s life.

Note from Bob – January 5, 2012

I hope your new year is starting out well for you. Here are some updates about your church.

You are a generous people. We received $67,052 for our Christmas offering this year, more than double previous years! Every dollar goes to missions in providing ministries and resources to people around the globe and right here in Springfield. There is some more really great news from Mozambique. The well has already been dug for our sister church Quequera UMC with clean drinking water flowing for 3,500 local residents from our offerings. Thank you Schweitzer for being so generous in honor of Christ’s Birthday!

I sense a growing hunger in the church and in the community for God. Last night, nearly 100 people crowded into the Fellowship Center for tsmith. Remember: There are spiritual growth activities each Wednesday for all ages with childcare provided. Come be a part.

We keep providing information in many communication formats throughout Schweitzer. While the bulletin newsletter is no longer handed you on Sundays printed copies are available in the foyer for all who want them. The bulletin newsletter is also posted on our website each Thursday. For the home bound and who request it, the newsletter is mailed. We encourage everyone to visit our website schweitzerumc.org to keep current on what is going on at Schweitzer.

Schweitzer is giving $11,600 of our Christmas offering to Friends Against Hunger. It’s not too late to serve Saturday, Jan. 14th at Friends Against Hunger. Just show up and give a few hours of your time to package meals. For details, click here.

This Sunday we’re beginning the new message series: 2012 the world in His hands. We are getting it started by talking about recognizing our time on this earth is limited and our need of seeking God’s wisdom as we journey through 2012. Read Psalm 90 to prepare for worship. We’ll see you in church.

Note from Bob – December 21, 2011

What an inspirational morning we enjoyed last Sunday as the Chancel Choir led us in all three worship times in their presentation of Joyful and Triumphant. Be sure to thank a choir member this week. What a blessing it is to have Cheryll Moll as our Director of Worship and Music. If you like to sing and love to worship Christ, consider joining the choir. For those who enjoy modem worship, we are looking for more musicians. Be willing to share your gift with the congregation to the Glory of God.

Our celebration of Christ’s birthday culminates this week with five Candlelight Communion Worship Services. Our first traditional candlelight service will be tomorrow December 22, 7pm. We will offer four Christmas Eve Worship times at 4, 6, 8 and 10. The first three worship times will be traditional and provide childcare and activities for children of all ages. We will have Modem Worship at 10 for our final service of the evening. Invite friends and family members to join you in church this Christmas Eve. The music will be inspirational and I will be teaching about God’s Reconciling Heart–a message that will relate to everyone you know. Please bring your offering to the Christ Child for Schweitzer’s missions.

Our Christmas Sunday morning schedule is light with one service at 10:00. Come and worship Christmas Day.

I have to tell you about how the Spirit of God continues to move at Pittman School. Schweitzer’s food pantry received an SUV full of canned goods from the Pittman families. It is wonderful to see how our partnership with Pittman is going full circle as God keeps strengthening this relationship. The Good News Club is teaching the Pittman children about Jesus and our tutors are teaching the children how to read. Consider sharing the Gospel with children at Pittman on Tuesdays or becoming a tutor for a child on Thursdays.

We have lots of fantastic MidWeek Opportunities on Wednesday Nights in 2012 … MidWeek-Experiencing God in Scripture and Prayer for adults, MidWeek Kids for ages four through fifth grade and MidWeek Youth for middle and high school students all begins January 4. Confirmation Class for seventh graders kicks off January 11. Start the New Year out right by deciding now to come to church MIDWEEK.

Christmas is Christ’s Birthday. Personally embrace the gift of Christ in your life and claim the right to become a child of God.

Merry Christmas!

Note from Bob – November 16, 2011

The St. Louis Cardinals’ naming Mike Matheny as their new manager is an intriguing choice to say the least. Why would the Cardinals hire Matheny with no previous managerial experience to replace their Hall of Fame bound field boss Tony La Russa? There were at least three good reasons given at the Press Conference naming the new manager: 1) Leadership Abilities, 2) High Character and 3) Doing things the Cardinals Way.

Certainly leadership given as a reason is no surprise. It has been the buzz word in the hiring in top executives for decades. Matheny’s leadership as a catcher during his playing days trumps his having little or no managerial experience. Catchers have to take command on the field, as it is essential they always have their head in the game. We all need to have our head in the game of life at home, at work, and in our community and world.

Matheny is also known for being a strong Christian and a person of high character. There are persons of good character who aren’t Christians and there are Christians who lack character. Which person would you rather have running your company or your country for that matter: A Christian without character or a person with good character who may not be a believer? A deeper question for me is: How does following Christ not lead to the highest standards of character? The sobering news of alleged sexual misconduct rocking presidential politics and one of the top college football organizations–Penn State– this past week should cause us to insist that character matters.

Doing things the Cardinals way may need some interpretation. The Cardinals way means several things, including getting the uniform dirty, playing hard, giving it up for the team, and upholding the highest standards on and off the field.

Every organization has their way of doing things. What an organization does is important but even more important is how things are done. What is the Schweitzer way of doing things? I am particularly thinking about the Prescriptions we are currently discerning as a congregation. What do you think about them? Do you think they are on target? Will they impact this congregation in the direction we need to go?

I hope you are discussing these and other questions these days leading up to the Church Conference vote, Dec. 4. Feel free to bring your thoughts and questions to the remaining Town Hall meetings this Saturday, November 19, 10:00am or November 30, 6:30pm. All opinions matter but I trust that the Schweitzer way of decision making ultimately involves seeking the Mind of the Lord.

I was reminded of the importance of discernment this week by this interesting bible trivia. There are four times the word opinion is mentioned in the Bible with every incident leading to a bad result. There are over 30 times the word discernment is mentioned, always leading to positive results. Discernment moves beyond our opinions to seeking to know and understand God’s will and purposes. Certainly these are days of sharing opinions with each other. Most importantly, these are days of seeking God’s perspective and plans for Schweitzer’s future.

May God bless you today as you discern God’s purposes and will for your life and for this congregation. I want to close with one of my favorite verses of scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” –Proverbs 3: 5, 6.

Note from Bob – November 9, 2011

This past weekend’s Healthy Church Initiative has provided Schweitzer five prescriptions in the Consultation Report we received. The prescriptions are available on our website www.schweitzerumc.org with paper copies provided at the Outreach Center Reception Desk and at Guest Services in the foyer. Please read, think, pray, and discuss these prescriptions during these weeks leading up to our Church Conference (December 4, 2:00pm) where we will vote by secret ballot to accept or reject the prescriptions as the vision we adopt in 2012 and beyond.

Town Hall Meetings will be held Sunday, November 13, 2:00pm; Saturday, November 19, 10:00am and Wednesday, November 30, 6:30pm as an opportunity for you to bring your comments and questions. Kerry Randolph, Gerry Lee and Wayne Thompson, members of our Church Council, will serve as facilitators at these gatherings. You are invited and encouraged to attend any or all of the Town Hall Meetings.

Thursday Night is prayer night at Schweitzer. The House of Prayer is an opportunity for you to join others at Schweitzer to receive guidance in growing in your prayer life as well as build the culture of prayer as a church. Come join others for prayer tomorrow, 6:30pm.

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is the story of Mary and Martha. I encourage you regardless of how busy your day is to find some moments to slow down and read Luke 10: 38-42. Once you do, you’ll understand why I am encouraging you to take a time out. Join me Sunday in worship as we talk about how we can be more like Mary in a Martha World. One more note about this Sunday: We are experiencing a sewage problem that has created some unexpected but necessary construction between the Sanctuary/Foyer and Cather Hall. As you find navigation in this area a bit more challenging this weekend, thank you for your patience and understanding.

We continue to receive financial commitments for the year 2012 from the congregation. If you have not yet made a commitment to Schweitzer, will you return during the next week a commitment card to the church? Your commitment of consistent giving helps us to plan ministry effectively and exercise fiscal responsibly. More importantly, practicing consistent generosity strengthens your own walk as disciple of Jesus Christ.

I am thinking and praying about the message series I will preach right after the first of the year. As we move into 2012, what’s on your mind? What topic/issue would you like me to consider addressing from a faith perspective? Please hit reply to this email. I would love to hear from you.

Have a great rest of the week!

Note from Bob – November 2, 2011

The Healthy Church Initiative (HCI) weekend is almost here. Our church consultants are arriving tomorrow to begin their work of interviews with staff, key leaders and focus groups. Saturday is a key day in the HCI process as we will have a congregation-wide session led by our consultants in Memorial Hall, 10:00am-3:00pm. I believe this session will offer us key insights in how congregations can better connect to our fast changing world. Child care is provided for infants through age three. Want to participate Saturday? You can still register by hitting reply to this email. Your pre-registration will help us in our provision of lunch. We look forward to Rev. Bob Farr, our Lead Consultant’s message this Sunday entitled: Risk Beyond Faithfulness. It is a challenging title as are the Pray.Study.Grow scripture passages and devotions for this week.

In addition to reading and praying through Pray.Study.Grow, another significant way as a congregation we are preparing for the weekend is observing A Day of Prayer and Fasting tomorrow, Thursday, November 3. Whenever we fast, we begin to discover the attitudes and appetites that are prevalent in our nature and inner spirit. Fasting is an opportunity for us with God’s help to gain greater control over “the appetites” that can easily control us and allow God to speak more clearly into our lives. As we fast, we have more time to offer God in prayer and getting more in tune with how God wants to lead our lives.

Our day of prayer tomorrow is focusing on the church as we are seeking God’s direction for Schweitzer. We are reminded in this week’s text that Queen Esther called for three days of fasting at a pivotal time (See Esther 3: 9-17) for her and her people. In our time, we are saying to God: Lord, This is your church. How do you want us to serve and glorify you in this community and world? Fasting is a deliberate way to set aside our own agenda and seek what is on God’s mind. It is a time to listen, really listen to God. I ask you to fast tomorrow, recognizing that some of us have medical limitations. I ask you to pray for God’s good purpose for Schweitzer to be clearly conveyed in the Prescriptions provided on Sunday. A special House of Prayer tomorrow evening will focus on prayer and fasting, Thursday, 6:30pm. Participating as a community in prayer will be a wonderful way of winding down the day.

The final hour of the HCI weekend will be the most exciting as five prescriptions will be presented to the congregation, Sunday, 12:15pm in the sanctuary. Regardless of when you worship during the morning, I hope you will be present at this time to hear the presentation.

I look forward to seeing you this weekend at Schweitzer. Remember, if you plan to participate during Saturday’s session and have not yet registered, please hit reply to this message.

Note from Bob – October 26, 2011

The Haiti Garage Sale is just days away. The Outreach Center is bursting at the seams and workers are putting the final preparations on this great opportunity to provide money for this great cause as well as allow people in the community to purchase good used items at highly reduced cost. If you would like to help Friday or Saturday during the sale, you may contact Janet Price at 766-1668 to schedule a time to serve.

The Healthy Church Initiative Consultation weekend is almost here. All members of the church are encouraged to attend the session Saturday, November 5, 10:00am-3:00pm, in learning more about how we can become more effective in reaching people for Jesus Christ in this fast changing world. I hope you feel a sense of urgency in the need for us to grow individually and as a church in reaching people in today’s culture. We need to get better at what we do. Come and let’s learn together as we are led by our consultants. The weekend culminates with Rev. Bob Farr preaching on the topic: “Risk Beyond Faithfulness” during Sunday morning worship Nov. 6 with the consultation team presenting the five prescriptions for the church’s future at 12:15pm. It will be a challenging weekend and I hope you are a part of it all.

Have you read the book or seen the blockbuster movie The Help? If so, you know how moving and disturbing racism was back then and still remains an issue today. Schweitzer is hosting an opportunity to sort out some of the issues raised in The Help in A DISCUSSION OF THE REALITIES THEN AND NOW Saturday, November 12, 8:30-12:00noon. Yvette Richards, a staff member of the United Methodist Women’s Division from New York City will be present to facilitate the discussion. For more information or to make a reservation, you may contact 831-9003 or 887-3928.

I will be teaching during tomorrow night’s House of Prayer session on how to learn to pray more like Jesus and Christians of the First Century prayed. Come and learn and most importantly, come and pray!

This coming Sunday, October 30 is one of the most important Sundays of the year. Generosity Sunday is the day we commit to God the planned giving of our tithes and offerings for 2012. I believe that responding to God’s love is our primary motivator and tithing is our “training wheels” in learning to practice financial generosity. I hope you are gaining godly wisdom from Bishop Robert Schnase’s writings in our Pray.Study.Grow materials this week as you prayerfully consider what God is calling you to give next year to Schweitzer. You may also want to check out the Elijah video we showed in worship last Sunday Financial Management from a four year old’s perspective by going to the link http://vimeo.com/7421607. Remember that more importantly than the church receiving your financial support is your growth as a follower of Jesus Christ. May God guide us all as we prepare for Sunday.

Looks like the game is rained out so the World Series will resume tomorrow night. Okay, one more time in this weekly email:Go Cardinals!

We conclude this Sunday the message series Questions Jesus Asked with his final question to Simon Peter: Do you love me? We all get to answer this question for ourselves.

See you in worship.

Note from Bob – October 19, 2011

Four huge events are coming up at Schweitzer during the next three weekends:

This Sunday, October 23 is the Fall Festival for children and their families. Come and enjoy all the fun–candy stations, games, crafts, music and a free hot dog dinner in the Schweitzer gym, 4:30-6:00pm.

Friday and Saturday, October 28 and 29 are the dates for the Haiti Garage Sale–all proceeds go to benefit Hope Village, an orphanage in Les Cayes, Haiti. It’s not too late to donate items or volunteer to work by contacting Janet Price jprice.

Sunday, October 30 is Generosity Sunday–the one day each year we ask all those who call Schweitzer their home church to make a financial giving commitment for the following year. Brochures are being mailed today with information about how dollars given to God through Schweitzer are put to work and how to prepare for Generosity Sunday. Be looking for this important mailing and thank you for your supporting the church with your tithes and offerings.

Schweitzer’s Healthy Church Initiative–HCI– is November 5 & 6. Everyone is invited to participate Saturday, November 5, 10:00am to 3:00pm in a time of learning led by our church consultants. Rev. Bob Farr will preach during morning worship Sunday, November 6 with the consultants presenting their report to the church at 12:15pm. The report will enumerate the strengths of the congregation and offer five prescriptions of how Schweitzer can move forward in fulfilling our mission in 2012 and beyond. I hope you will participate fully in our HCI weekend and throughout the discernment process to follow.

My priorities are being tested. The House of Prayer on Thursday Night coincides with Game 2 of the World Series! I will be teaching how we can learn to pray prayers that tie us to Christ’s mercy, grace and forgiveness and how to cut ourselves free of negative thoughts and any harmful effects of the past. It’s no huge sacrifice really to miss a few innings of the game so I hope you will join me Thursday Night for the House of Prayer.

This Sunday, October 23 we continue the message series Questions Jesus Asked with the question: Why do you worry about clothes? If you are a worrier and stressing out about all the demands in life, I believe this message will be a blessing to you. I hope to see you Sunday morning in worship at 8:20, 9:45 or 11:00.

Note from Bob – October 12, 2011

Here’s what is coming up soon at Schweitzer:

The Fall Festival for children and their families is all set for Sunday, October 23, 4:30-6:00pm in the Schweitzer gym.  Candy stations, games, free hot dogs, crafts and music will combine for a fun and safe celebration for children.  Let children in your family and your neighborhood know this event is for them!  Need more information or want to help?  Contact Liz Craig lcraig@schweitzerumc.org.

We are now receiving items for the Haiti Garage Sale–October 28 and 29.  The sale not only provides thousands of dollars to benefit Hope Village but it also gives an opportunity for people in the community with limited income to purchase good used items at minimal cost for a great cause.  Want to donate?  Want to help?  Contact Janet Price jprice@greenecountymo.org or call the church office at 881-6800.

Several of you have been asking for some studies about Methodism.  You asked for it.  You got it!  John Wesley on the Holy Spirit is going to the source of our heritage and the power source of our faith as it centers on Spirit empowered sermons of John Wesley.  The class will meet seven weeks on Wednesday nights, beginning Oct. 19, 6:00-7:30pm.  The class will be led by Dean Carpenter and Mark McKnelly.  Interested?  Contact Mark McKnelly mmcknelly@schweitzerumc.org.

Are you in need of some inspiration?  Ever wonder if there is any evidence of God answering prayer?  Come to the House of Prayer tomorrow evening as I will be teaching on how we can recognize God’s activity in our lives.   We’ll hear an amazing testimony of how God is at work in our prayer ministry in the Outreach Center as a prime example of how God uses us.   As always, there will be opportunities for us to pray.

Remember:   You may visit our website www.schweitzerumc.org and learn more about all the opportunities there are for you to Worship, Grow and Serve as a follower of Christ in this congregation.

Every year the Cardinals make it to the NL Championship Series, I always bring out the Cardinal Shrine–items I’ve collected/received over the years.  Baseball fans, the shrine is up in the Outreach Center so drop by during office hours and enjoy!  I was blessed with the gift of tickets to tonight’s game with the Brewers so Susan and I are heading out for St. Louis. It is a great time to be a Cardinals fan!

Ironically, this week’s message addresses Christ’s question:  Who do you say that I am?   One of the things I will be talking about is how even good things can become gods and idols in our lives.  Do you see any irony in all this?  I hope you can be in worship as I believe it’s the most important question in the whole series.  In the meantime, read the Pray.Study.Grow daily devotions and wrestle with your own response as you allow Christ’s question to penetrate your heart.  See you in worship.