Reflections

“Calling them like I see them”

I like games. Board games, puzzles, video games, party games, whatever. I like games and I like winning games. Over the years I’ve developed some skill at games and one of the skills that I have is adapting to the current state of the game. The tiles I have on my Scrabble rack are one away from ‘juxtapose’ with the ‘x’ on a triple letter tile, but I’m just not there yet. I know other players who can’t get past the word they really want to play to see that they can play ‘tuxedo’ on a double word score. Games have taught me to make the best move I can in the current position.

That’s a skill I’ve learned pays off in life, too. It’s easy to become frustrated by the current state of the game. Why don’t I have that job? Why can’t I go there? Why do I only have this amount in my stash? Look what I could do if only I didn’t roll snake eyes! But those kinds of thoughts are a waste of your mental energy. You are where you are. You can certainly learn from your past play and get better (you should, in fact), but to wish the current position could be different is about as useful as wishing for snow this Friday. The best thing you can do right now is to figure out the best thing you CAN do right now. Not the best thing you could do if all the circumstances had lined up just the right way. That’s not the game you’re in.

One of the most brilliant pieces of advice that Jesus gives in his most famous sermon is this: “Today’s trouble is enough for today.” He’s talking about not worrying about tomorrow, which is also good advice. Today’s problem is already here. Handle it today. You’ve got a move to make in the game right now. And it’s tempting to think about where it’s all going and how to predict or control the variables, but ultimately you can’t. Not in this game. It turns out the best thing you can be doing right now is to determine the best thing you CAN do right now. Given where you are today, what is the best thing you can do today?

Peace, Rory

Before His Presence with Singing

“My Shepherd will supply my need, Jehovah is His name.”

Our hymnal, Celebrating Grace, boasts at least five hymns that either quote or paraphrase Psalm 23:

• He Leadeth Me! O Blessed Thought
• Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
• The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want
• My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
• The King of Love My Shepherd Is

That’s unusual. For there to be that many treatments of one scripture passage. But few scripture passages have been set to music by so many.

It fascinates me how many ways there are to phrase the message of Psalm 23. And I love “taking the scripture out” like you take out a photo from a box of old pictures, or like pick up a piece of fruit and inspect it – I love taking the psalm out and looking at it from several sides. Each of these different paraphrases makes a different facet of the scriptural jewel shine. I want to take the passage out and look at a few facets from this Isaac Watts paraphrase:

“He brings my wandering spirit back”

The scripture doesn’t put it that way, but isn’t that revealing? It’s a very shepherdy image.

“One word of thy supporting breath drives all my fears away.”

Ah. What a lovely description of God’s watchcare, even in the shades of death. David, the psalmist saying that a single notion from God takes away fear and replaces it with contentment.

I like Watts’ little insertion in the final stanza, “and all my work be praise.” That phrase follows “oh, may his house be my abode ‘and all my work be praise.’” There is a nudge to the self that God’s comforting, abiding presence provokes gratitude.

Another fascinating facet shines in the phrase, “There would I find a settled rest while others come and go.” I appreciate the comparison made with those who lack the Shepherd.

And the closing phrase is precious: “no more a stranger or a guest but like a child and home”

See My Shepherd Will Supply My Need at Hymnary.org and scroll to the bottom of the page to see the text of the entire hymn. Let it frame a moment of devotion.

In Christ, Tim

Discussion Group

Movie: Norma Rae (1979) starring Sally Field.

Viewing: Streaming on many platforms for ~ $4.

Time & Place: Friday, August 21, 6:30 p.m. at Joy Reedy’s home.

Trustee Meeting Rescheduled

The September Trustee Meeting has been rescheduled for August 31, at 7:00 p.m. in RM. 105.

September FBCFBC

Join us at noon on Monday, September 7, when Nancy Denton will lead a discussion of Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind by Ann B. Ross. Miss Julia, a recently bereaved and newly wealthy widow, is shocked when Hazel Marie Puckett shows up at her door with her son, a child who was fathered by Miss Julia’s late husband. Suddenly Miss Julia, a longtime church member and pillar of her small Southern community, finds herself dealing with an unseemly scandal. Julia’s life is turned upside down by this event, as her deceased husband was one of the most respected men in town. This is only the first of several challenges Miss Julia must face. But with the help of her housekeeper (who is also her best friend) and her lawyers, Sam and Binkie, she gets through these challenges. As a result, she who had once been judgmental and forgiving is changed for the better. Note: This and other books in the Miss Julia series are available in the church library.

Tuesday, September 1

• 11:00 a.m. – Staff Mtg.
• 1:00 p.m. – Pastor Study Time
• 5:00-7:45 p.m. – [Basketball/Abernathy]
• 5:15-8:15 p.m. – [ORMCA Rehearsal-Joy B/FH, Sanc., Choir RM., Class RM’s]

Wednesday, September 2

• 9:00-11:00 a.m. – [Pickleball/gym]
• 1:30-3:30 p.m. – [Fiber Friends/Parlor]
• 5:00-7:00 p.m. – [Pickleball/gym]
• 5:00-11:00 p.m. – M. Griffin organ rehearsal/sanct.
• 6:00 p.m. – Prayer Meeting & Bible Study/FH
• 7:15 p.m. – Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, September 3

• 1:30-4:00 p.m. – Agape Help Center
• 4:30-6:30 p.m. – [Basketball]
• 5:30 p.m. – [ORCBand/Sanct. or FH]
• 6:30 p.m. – [Pickleball/gym]

Friday, September 4

• 9:00-11:00 a.m. – [Pickleball/gym]

Saturday, September 5

• 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – [Adult Basketball]

Sunday, September 6

• 10:00 a.m. – Sunday School
• 10:45 a.m. – First Christian Church/2nd FL.
• 11:00 a.m. – Worship & Communion
• 2:00 p.m. – [Pickleball/gym]
• 2:00 p.m. – Finance Mtg./RM. 105
• 5:30 p.m. – Feast (Youth)
• 6:00 p.m. – First Christian/2nd FL.

Tim off

Monday, September 7

• 9:00-11:00 a.m. – [Pickleball/gym]
• 12:00 p.m. – FBCFBC/Library
• 6:30-9:00 p.m. – [ORPhOrchestra/FH or Sanct.]
• 6:30-9:00 p.m. – [Scouts129/gym]

Labor Day
Church Office Closed

Tuesday, September 8

• 11:00 a.m. – Staff Mtg.
• 1:00 p.m. – Pastor Study Time
• 5:00-7:45 p.m. – [Basketball/Abernathy]
• 5:15-8:15 p.m. – [ORMCA Rehearsal-Joy B/FH, Sanc., Choir RM., Class RM’s]

Wednesday, September 9

• 9:00-11:00 a.m. – [Pickleball/gym]
• 1:30-3:30 p.m. – [Fiber Friends/Parlor]
• 5:00-7:00 p.m. – [Pickleball/gym]
• 5:00-11:00 p.m. – M. Griffin organ rehearsal/sanct.
• 6:00 p.m. – Prayer Meeting & Bible Study/FH
• 7:15 p.m. – Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, September 10

• 1:30-4:00 p.m. – Agape Help Center
• 4:30-6:30 p.m. – [Basketball]
• 5:30 p.m. – [ORCBand/Sanct. or FH]
• 6:30 p.m. – [Pickleball/gym]

Friday, September 11

• 9:00-11:00 a.m. – [Pickleball/gym]

Saturday, September 12

• 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – [Ecumenical Pickup]
• 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – [Adult Basketball]

Sunday, September 13

• 10:00 a.m. – Sunday School
• 10:45 a.m. – First Christian Church/2nd FL.
• 11:00 a.m. – Worship Service
• 2:00 p.m. – [Pickleball/gym]
• 2:00 p.m. – Church Council Mtg./RM. 105
• 3:00 p.m. – Deacons Mtg./105
• 4:00 p.m. – Personnel Meeting/RM. 105
• 5:30 p.m. – Feast (Youth)
• 6:00 p.m. – First Christian/2nd FL.

Monday, September 14

• 9:00-11:00 a.m. – [Pickleball/gym]
• 6:30-9:00 p.m. – [ORPhOrchestra/FH or Sanct.]
• 6:30-9:00 p.m. – [Scouts129/gym]
• ~FirstLight~

Tuesday, September 15

• 11:00 a.m. – Staff Mtg.
• 12:00-4:30 p.m. – Bunco Game/105
• 1:00 p.m. – Pastor Study Time
• 5:00-7:45 p.m. – [Basketball/Abernathy]
• 5:15-8:15 p.m. – [ORMCA Rehearsal-Joy B/FH, Sanc., Choir RM., Class RM’s]

Wednesday, September 16

• 9:00-11:00 a.m. – [Pickleball/gym]
• 1:30-3:30 p.m. – [Fiber Friends/Parlor]
• 5:00-7:00 p.m. – [Pickleball/gym]
• 5:00-11:00 p.m. – M. Griffin organ rehearsal/sanct.
• 6:00 p.m. – Prayer Meeting & Bible Study/FH
• 7:15 p.m. – Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, September 17

• 1:30-4:00 p.m. – Agape Help Center
• 4:30-6:30 p.m. – [Basketball]
• 5:30 p.m. – [ORCBand/Sanct. or FH]
• 6:30 p.m. – [Pickleball/gym]

Friday, September 18

• 9:00-11:00 a.m. – [Pickleball/gym]
• 6:30 p.m. – Movie Discussion Group @ J. Reedy’s

Saturday, September 19

• 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – [Adult Basketball]

Sunday, September 20

• 10:00 a.m. – Sunday School
• 10:45 a.m. – First Christian Church/2nd FL.
• 11:00 a.m. – Worship Service
• 2:00 p.m. – [Pickleball/gym]
• 5:30 p.m. – Feast (Youth)
• 6:00 p.m. – First Christian/2nd FL.

Noisy Offering

Monday, September 21

• 9:00-11:00 a.m. – [Pickleball/gym]
• 2:00 p.m. – Library Mtg.
• 6:30-9:00 p.m. – [ORPhOrchestra/FH or Sanct.]
• 6:30-9:00 p.m. – [Scouts129/gym]

Tuesday, September 22

• 11:00 a.m. – Staff Mtg.
• 1:00 p.m. – Pastor Study Time
• 5:00-7:45 p.m. – [Basketball/Abernathy]
• 5:15-8:15 p.m. – [ORMCA Rehearsal-Joy B/FH, Sanc., Choir RM., Class RM’s]

Wednesday, September 23

• 9:00-11:00 a.m. – [Pickleball/gym]
• 1:30-3:30 p.m. – [Fiber Friends/Parlor]
• 5:00-7:00 p.m. – [Pickleball/gym]
• 5:00-11:00 p.m. – M. Griffin organ rehearsal/sanct.
• 6:00 p.m. – Prayer Meeting & Bible Study/FH
• 7:15 p.m. – Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, September 24

• 1:30-4:00 p.m. – Agape Help Center
• 4:30-6:30 p.m. – [Basketball]
• 5:30 p.m. – [ORCBand/Sanct. or FH]
• 6:30 p.m. – [Pickleball/gym]

Friday, September 25

• 9:00-11:00 a.m. – [Pickleball/gym]

Saturday, September 26

• 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – [Adult Basketball]

Sunday, September 27

• 10:00 a.m. – Sunday School
• 10:45 a.m. – First Christian Church/2nd FL.
• 11:00 a.m. – Worship Service
• 2:00 p.m. – [Pickleball/gym]
• 5:30 p.m. – Feast (Youth)
• 6:00 p.m. – First Christian/2nd FL.

Monday, September 28

• 9:00-11:00 a.m. – [Pickleball/gym]
• 6:30-9:00 p.m. – [ORPhOrchestra/FH or Sanct.]
• 6:30-9:00 p.m. – [Scouts129/gym]
• ~FirstLight~

Tuesday, September 29

• 11:00 a.m. – Staff Mtg.
• 1:00 p.m. – Pastor Study Time
• 5:00-7:45 p.m. – [Basketball/Abernathy]
• 5:15-8:15 p.m. – [ORMCA Rehearsal-Joy B/FH, Sanc., Choir RM., Class RM’s]

Wednesday, September 30

• 9:00-11:00 a.m. – [Pickleball/gym]
• 1:30-3:30 p.m. – [Fiber Friends/Parlor]
• 5:00-7:00 p.m. – [Pickleball/gym]
• 5:00-11:00 p.m. – M. Griffin organ rehearsal/sanct.
• 7:15 p.m. – Chancel Choir Rehearsal