Saturday, July 04, 2009
Fairlawn West Sat, July 4, 2009
Fairlawn West United Church of Christ News
2095 W Market St, Akron, OH 44313
office@fairlawnwest.org
Last week we celebrated the joining as members of Barbara Greve and Julia Hines. We shared in a covenanting order as they and the rest of the members of Fairlawn West made promises to one another. Its clear that for a lot of people joining a church is like joining any other club or organization. There is no greater significance in their life than any other group. But making a membership covenant is far more. And that was clear last Sunday as we covenanted with Barb and Julia with God! Some folks take their church membership as something they will do while its convenient or as long as it provides them with what they want and need. Then when it doesn't fit what they want and need, they will move on at their will. But the covenant that each of us has made as a member of Fairlawn West says we will be responsible to one another in this journey to serve God and if we realize we are unable to honor our membership covenant any longer we will inform the leaders of the church of that. We won't just disappear, or keep our name on the membership list until we find something that suits us better. Last night I was watching the tv program "Dog Whisperer" which is a wonderful program about training dogs...and humans. The trainer is Cesar Millan who has written a number of books and helped many dogs and people with their relationships. The program last night was about dealing with an extremely difficult Rottweiler named Apollo who attacked males, including Cesar. Apollo was to have put under the day before Cesar took him in his program. He brought Apollo to his center where he has around 50 dogs at a time. After some weeks there, he brought him home with his family to try to help the dog relax more. From the beginning Apollo clearly bonded with Cesar's 13 year old son, Andre. Andre, even though they had many dogs around the house, had not had a dog of his own. After three months Cesar decided that Andre could have Apollo as his own dog. Andre was very excited. This is what Cesar said to his son, "This will be your dog from now on. Probably for at least 10 years. Do you agree to care and protect and nurture Apollo for the rest of his life?" Andre responded "yes." Then said Cesar, "You must honor this commitment. Its no longer something you intend to do. It is a sign of your honor, loyalty and integrity that you keep this commitment for Apollo from now on." Immediately I thought of the covenant Barb and Julia made last week with us and the covenant all of us have made as members of the body of Christ through Fairlawn West. How we handle that membershipis a sign of our honor, loyalty, and integrity. Please read over the expectations and covenant as a member of Fairlawn West. - David Loar, Pastor
News/Announcements
Visit our web site—www.fairlawnwest.org
Prayer & Worship gathering on Mondays, 7 pm in the Vista Room. There is a prayer request book in the front lobby to write your prayer requests or place them on the back of the Connection Card. Confidential requests can be given to Mary Mounts, Julia Hines or place it on the back of the Connection Card and note it confidential. This group is open to all.
SOAP Bible Journaling gathering on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. Guided by John Gossett and Mary Mounts. This process will help you to grow in confidence in the scriptures being a deep part of your life.
Inside Team meets Mon at 6:15 pm in the front lobby. Outside Team will meet on Saturday, July 11, 8:30-11:30 am to start on clean up.
David Loar will be on vacation July 20 to August 9.
Sun
-Nursery for children up to age 4, in the Nursery Room
-9:30 am worship service
-”KAT/Kids Alternative Time” for kids age 5 to grade 5, leave from the 9:30 worship service.
-10:45 am The Bible and the 12 Steps of Recovery in the Vista Room
- 10:45 am Conversation in the parlor with David Loar and others
Mon
- Sewing and Prayer Group, 9:00 am, Fireplace Room
- David Loar at Angel Falls Coffee, 792 W Market St for open conversation, 6-7 pm
- Prayer & Worship Gathering, Vista Room, 7-8 pm
Tues
- Rev. Loar’s day off
Wed
- SOAP/Bible Journaling, Vista Room, 6:30 pm
Thurs
-Bible reading and reflection at the food court of Summit Mall at 9:00 am. Open to all.
Fri
- David Loar at Nervous Dog Coffee, 1530 W Market St for open conversation, 1:30-4 pm
- Taize worship service, 6:00 pm, Parlor, quiet service of singing, sung prayers, scripture
Office
- Mon-Fri 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
12 Step Recovery Groups
-12 Step Recovery meetings for Alcoholics Anonymous, Emotions Anonymous and Sexaholics Anonymous meet in our bldg. Check the main bulletin board for more info.
Scripture Reading for Sunday, July 5 - Matthew 14:22-36 (from “The Message”)
22-23As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.
24-26Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. "A ghost!" they said, crying out in terror.
27But Jesus was quick to comfort them. "Courage, it's me. Don't be afraid."
28Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water."
29-30He said, "Come ahead."
Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, "Master, save me!"
31Jesus didn't hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, "Faint-heart, what got into you?"
32-33The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, "This is it! You are God's Son for sure!"
34-36On return, they beached the boat at Gennesaret. When the people got wind that he was back, they sent out word through the neighborhood and rounded up all the sick, who asked for permission to touch the edge of his coat. And whoever touched him was healed.
From the Rev. Dr. Carlyle Marney, in the 1970’s, scholar, preacher, pastor, author. Identified by Time magazine as one of the most profound preachers of the 1950’s, pastor of the two of the largest and riches churches in the Southern Baptists Church in the ‘50’s & ‘60’s. Died in 1978. To learn more of Marney www.fairlawnwest.org/library.htm & snipurl.com/lpgus
“...we Christians are now a shrinking minority in an exploding world population. This is the modern crisis of Christendom. We can neither keep the world out nor get it in from here. For millions it means the Gospel has run out. For millions it is perceived to be the failure of Christianity and the Church. For many commentators it is the "Post-Christian Era" that we are entering. This is why there can be mega-churches of up to 15,000 members in a city and the existence of the huge church makes almost no difference to the City.
There are four-hundred churches in Charlotte--little closed communions, ghettos, refuges of sick and miserable people clinging for some kind of mutual confirmation, self-affirmation, but reproducing in their own bodies and within their own walls nearly every crime and beastly capacity; and, on the large scale, essentially not much different from those who are outside. This is the crisis of modern Christianity and it is a dreadful crisis.
It is not just a failure of nerve--it is not just a failure of morality, it is a failure in direction. It is not just a failure in goodness--we are as good as the people who are outside the church--it is that the church is inward oriented. It survives to keep itself going. It is no longer sought. It is a subjective, inward, defensive, closed, self-concerned corporation and it is a moral failure on the broad scale. If this continues it would be the death of Christendom as it is already the death of the institutions of Christendom, for the inward-oriented church will not hold the tide back. Our little ghettos will not contain the beast. Our little institutions will neither civilize nor redeem nor save nor make. This is the end of the world the Book of Revelation talks about. The Church Herself becomes a beast or as Revelation puts it "a harlot and the mother of harlots."
