December 2014 Letter from Pastor Scott

Is it really, truly…already December?!

I’m sure the suddenness of December’s arrival for me this year is connected to the unusual timing of my arrival at Knightsville UMC as your pastor. I can surely say I have never arrived at a church as pastor in early October. It seems like I just got here, and suddenly, it’s already December! But, think how important the word “sudden” is for the Advent Season.

“And suddenly, there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host praising God…” (Luke)

“The Lord, Whom you seek, will suddenly appear.” (Malachi)

Most of us enjoy the sudden surprise of opening a gift at Christmas. But, if we are

honest, most of us don’t like sudden changes in our daily routine or plan. Just this week I had someone say to me at the end of the day, “I have been super busy today and I didn’t end up in a single place I was supposed to be!” That sounds like a day full of interruptions. He was smiling, so I think he was handling it pretty well.

That’s probably the challenge of Advent – that the Holy Spirit is trying between now and Christmas to suddenly interrupt our normal patterns to inspire a new vision for our walk with the “One Whom we seek.”

Give in to the suddenness!”

Hungering for Holiness,

Scott

January 2015 Letter from Pastor Scott

In most weddings I do, I remind folks that marriage is not a man-made institution dreamed up in some far-off culture thousands of years ago.  It is an institution created by the God Whom we worship in the name of Jesus, and intended for one man and one woman “until death parts them.”

But, what is the purpose of marriage?  More poignantly…what is the purpose of YOUR marriage?  In his book “Sacred Marriage,” Gary Thompson asks the question, “What if God created marriage, not primarily to make you happy, but to make you holy?”  That idea is at the heart of our “Sacred Marriage” classes that will begin on January 14.  The classes include a short video presentation by the author.  I will lead a teaching/open conversation time after that.

Beginning on January 14, and each Wednesday night following for about 8 weeks, we will share dinner together (at a nominal cost) between 5:30 and 6:30.  The class will begin as dinner concludes and last about an hour.   We will provide food and childcare for all children.

Whether you have been married one year or 60 years, or even if you are hoping to be married (or re-married!) someday, I strongly encourage you to come.  This class rescues us from a “needs-based” and “happiness-oriented” understanding of marriage.

I encourage you to go online and purchase the book, “Sacred Marriage” as well as the student workbook, and make plans to join Nancy and me for this class.

Please call the church (875-2117) and let Janice know if you’re planning to attend.

Faithfully,

Pastor Scott