Let the children come

Yesterday we had 22 children and youth at Church of the Reconciler. We were blessed to have several angels from Riverchase UMC who came to help shepherd the children during worship and Sunday school.

It’s a lot of work to manage 22 young people (plus 6 in the nursery) on a Sunday morning. Many of our children come from very challenging circumstances. Working with them can be difficult, to say the least. Sometimes, the work can seem like trying to herd cats, and we wonder if we are truly making a difference.

As I sat in church yesterday, I looked around at them. They seemed particularly restless, and at first, all I could see was a rambunctious group of kids. Then I looked closer. I saw the children who have started participating in the prayer circle before worship. I saw one of our youth who was working the computer screen in the absence of the adult who usually has that job. I saw a youth playing with the band. I saw the children who joyfully participated in the passing of the peace and welcoming people to worship, as well as the ones who hand out bookmarks to those who are visiting. I saw them singing during the praise portion of our service. I saw them enjoying the food we offered, even sleeping at times during the service, knowing they see our church truly as a place of sanctuary and rest. I saw the children who clamor to light the candle each week, and the girls who have learned to knit and make toboggans so the homeless can stay a little warmer this winter. I savored the hugs of the children who shared them with me as they left.

The truth is that working with these kids has relatively few warm and fuzzy moments. We struggle to meet their needs and maintain discipline. It’s hard to get them safely to church and home again with only one van and too few drivers/teachers/helpers. But we are faithful to the call to serve them, and occasionally, we see the fruits of our labors. Those rare pearls we find in the huge bed of oysters are what keep us going.

Sometimes we are called to ministry that is difficult and challenging. Can you answer the call to serve with our children? We need helpers, food, juice, yarn and other craft supplies. How can you help?

www.prayforthehomeless.org

This site offers you the opportunity to meet someone who is homeless and pray for them. We also include people who have recently been homeless and are in recovery from homelessness. They all have one thing in common: they need the power and blessings of your prayers. A small percentage of the homeless are able to stay in public shelters or other temporary accommodations for short periods, but the majority of these people sleep in abandoned buildings, warehouses or under bridges each night. We invite you to pick a different person to pray for each week and share this idea with a friend. We invite your feedback and comments by email at prayforthehomeless@gmail.com.

ChurchoftheReconciler.com

Our web site is http://www.churchofthereconciler.com/!

Check out our facebook page!

Check out the facebook page and share it with your friends!!!

Homeless with Cancer article

Check out this article on Church of the Reconciler!!

http://www.crmagazine.org/archive/Fall2010/Pages/HomelessWithCancer.aspx

Church of the Reconciler Wednesday Evening Prayer

At our Church of the Reconciler Wednesday Night Evening Prayer this week we will be reading, praying, and meditating on the following Scripture Lessons: Psalm 95, Ephesians 2:1-10, Matthew 7:22-27. Our Evening Prayer begins at 6:30 PM in the Vennie Paulk Room. Hope you can come!

Summer needs for children and the homeless

Summer is nearly here, and along with the humidity and high temps, we can also expect the usual summer slump in donations. If you are able to help by sponsoring a drive for needed supplies, or by making an in-kind gift to our ministry now, we can head into the summer stocked up and ready to meet the needs of our children and homeless members.

We need:

toilet paper

sugar

40-gallon garbage bags

non-bleach floor cleaner

We don't need coffee or coffee cups, thanks to the generosity of Royal Cup Coffee.

In addition, we have the following request from one of our Sunday School teachers:

The girls’ Sunday School Class is looking for donations of yarn and knitting looms to make hats and scarves which we can donate to the Christmas bags assembled each year by Church of the Reconciler. The knitting looms, known by brand as Knifty Knitters, are sets of four round looms of various sizes. We can use all four of the sizes. The knitters are available at Michael’s, Wal-Mart, and on eBay.

Call the church office at 324-6402 if you have a donation. Thanks!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010


Read Scripture: Luke 24: 1-12

Al- le-lu-ia!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Christ the Lord is risen today,
Earth and Heaven in chorus way,
Al- le-lu- lia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high,
Sing ye heavens and earth reply!
Al-le-lu-lia!

An Easter hymn reminds us all that Jesus Christ has risen
Let every heart sing forth with joy; Salvation has been given!

Jesus showed the world that love would conquor every situation!
Live in peace with God's own son
Allelulia, Christ is risen!

Church of the Reconciler United Methodist Church
Come for our Easter Service at 9:30
112 North 14th Street
Birmingham, Alabama

Don't look for a steeple! Look for a warehouse full of God's loving people!
Easter Baskets for all the Children!

Restore the image of love in us.

Read Psalm 31 Verses 9-16


Key Verse: Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; (Verse 9)

Let Your face shine on your servant; Save me in your unfailing love. (Verse 6)

The psalmist is distressed indeed! His enemies are out to get him because they love political power and control more than truth and justice. His friends have abandoned him because their love failed in a time of testing. Surely we can all remember times when human love failed us and when our love failed someone else. “The human heart is deceitful above all things”. (Jeremiah 17:9) At one time or another all human love fails – yours does and mine does.

It is quite amazing that our love fails because we were created in the image of God – who is love. Where has this image of God gone? We have, as C. S. Lewis says, become bent”.

We are out of alignment. We are self centered rather than Christ centered.

How does this relate to Easter? On Good Friday, Jesus Christ was abandoned by his friends and crucified by his enemies. Human love failed that day but the love of God and Christ Jesus remained unchanged. Jesus was not angry, bitter, or filled with hatred. He did not call on God to send revenge upon those who murdered him without cause. Rather, He asked God to forgive them, to forgive us. That is redemptive love! What greater grace, unmerited favor, undeserved love, could there be?
PRAYER FOCUS: Restore the image of love in us.
PRAYER:
Lord God, I am so very thankful that Your love never fails. My love fails time and time again. I humbly bow before the cross and seek your forgiveness and mercy. I need the healing balm of grace that flows from the wounds of Your Son so I can begin to have your image imprinted upon me again. I look up . . . I see the risen Christ – Your manifest, living, transforming, unfailing love. Please transform me into His likeness.
Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: If God’s love ever failed He would not be God.
Sharon Parsons

Who are You Looking For?

Read Scripture John 18:1-19,


Key Verse: Verse 5 “ He (Jesus) said to the guards, “That’s me.” The Message

Who are You Looking For?

The guards were led by Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples. Jesus had gone into a garden that he frequently went to for quietness and prayer. Only the disciples knew where this garden was located.

When Jesus saw that the guards were coming, he went out to meet them. He asked them, “Who are you looking for?” He knew full well who they were after.

The guards said the were looking for Jesus, the Nazarene. That is when Jesus answered them, “That’s me.”

The guards were taken back. They had expected a confrontation. They did not think it was going to be so simple to find Jesus.

This story in John begins the final hours of Jesus life before the crucifixion.

In the hours coming up, Jesus is not only betrayed by Judas, one of his disciples, but Peter, probably his closest disciple, also betrays him, telling the woman in the market place that he does not even know Jesus.

As we close down the days of Lent we reread these episodes of Jesus’ life and realize how much Jesus suffered for our sins.

Why is this day called “Good Friday?” It seems like it should be called “Bad Friday.”

Many churches will have a service today where they cover the cross in black and have the seven last words of Jesus read, leaving the service in total darkness.

We rejoice in the knowledge that Easter is coming!
Prayer: Thank you, O God, for the coming resurrection. Amen
Thought for the Day: Just two more days till Easter.
Nancy Higgs

A New Command

Read Scripture: John 13: 1-17, 31b-35


Key Verse: Verse 34 “Let me give you a new command: Love one another.”  The Message

A New Command

Jesus gave his disciples a new command, to love one another. He was talking with the disciples after they had eaten together in the Upper Room. He told them to love each other and others the same way that he loved them. He said that everyone would recognize that they were followers of him by the way they loved one another.

Can everyone recognize that you are a follower of Jesus Christ? Are you showing the forgiving love of Jesus to everyone, even your enemies? This season of Lent is almost over. Have you grown in your relationship to Jesus and to following his command in the last 37 days? Easter is only three days away. The day of celebration of Jesus’ resurrection is almost upon us. Decide today to be recognized as a follower of Jesus Christ. Love one another.
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for giving us the new command. Help us to follow you and love as Jesus loved.
Thought for the Day: Jesus gave us a new command. Follow it!

Jesus Doing Good

Read Scripture: Hebrews 12: 1-3


Jesus Doing Good

It is believed that for the last 40 days of Jesus’ life many good and bad things occurred. Although I would not attempt to account these many occurrences on a daily basis; yet I will begin with Matthew’s 10th chapter. Here Jesus summons his disciples and gives them power over unclean spirits. He gives them their mission to go to the lost sheep of Israel, telling them that the kingdom is at hand. Jesus warns his disciples of coming persecutions, “I’m sending you out as sheep among wolfs. Be wise as serpents and humble as doves. The only reward promised, “Whosoever receives you will also receive me. And whosoever receives me will also receive my Father who sent me.” John the Baptist hears of Jesus’ teaching, and sends a messenger from prison asking Jesus, “Are you the one promised to come by Moses?”

There was a time that they were hungry and Jesus allowed his disciples to pluck grain on the Sabbath day. Jesus also healed the withered hand of a man on this same Sabbath day. Jesus teaches that “a tree is known by its fruit.” There was a question of the resurrection when Jesus told the Pharisees of his death and resurrection. The Pharisees mocked him, saying, “You said you are going to die and rise again. No other prophet as made this declaration, therefore give us a sign.” Jesus said, “as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly, so shall the Son of Man be three days and nights in the heart of the earth.” Jesus goes on and quiets a storm on the Sea of Galilee. He tells his disciples, “You need faith like a mustard seed, small but mighty.” Jesus feeds the multitudes. He asks the disciples, “Who do the people say that I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah.” Peter declared, “Though are the Christ, the Anointed One. Jesus tells his disciples to be known for mass amounts of forgiveness. Jesus teaches the importance of little children.
Prayer: Lord, teach us to pray: Our Father, who art in Heaven ….

Please pray the Lord’s Prayer.
Charles Young, new member of Church of the Reconciler

Stations of the Cross, Good Friday

You are invited to join us for the annual Stations of the Cross in downtown Birmingham, this Friday. We begin at Church of the Reconciler at 11:00 a.m.

Every year we gather to walk around our city, stopping at locations of significance to Birmingham's homeless community, as we commemorate the passage of Jesus, a homeless itinerant minister, on Good Friday. We remember Christ's commitment to the poor and reflect upon the importance of sharing love and hope with 'the least of these.'

It's an experience that will make you appreciate the Easter news in new and meaningful ways this year.

We suggest you wear a hat, and bring sunscreen and bottled water. The entire walk takes about two hours.

Justice for the poor

One of the most unjust taxes is the Alabama tax on groceries. Alabama Arise is leading the campaign for the repeal of this tax, which places an unfair and additional burden on the poor. Here is an update from Alabama Arise on the effort:

"Untax" Tuesday: What does it mean for me?

Here’s an easy way to explain what untaxing groceries will do for every Alabama household: It will give them two weeks’ worth of free groceries every year.

Here’s how it works: Removing the 4 percent state sales tax on groceries will lower everybody’s grocery bill by 4 percent, week after week, all year long. The savings add up to 4 percent of annual grocery costs, and 4 percent of a year is two weeks. That’s the amount of extra cash Alabamians will have in hand to make ends meet.

We estimate that the average Alabama family will save $100 per person every year, but no family is “average.” For some, that’s a high estimate, for others low. No matter what your family spends on groceries, two weeks’ worth every year will make a difference!

HB 1, the bill to “untax groceries,” is expected to move forward this week. Watch for a report on Wednesday’s committee action in the news.

God, In Whom I Trust

Psalm 91: 1-2 and 9-16


Psalm 91
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
If you make the Most High your dwelling—even the LORD, who is my refuge-
then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Key Verse: "I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

God, In Whom I Trust

There has been discussion lately about the "In God We Trust" on the US currency. It is a contentious topic with hot discussions of the issue of seperation of Church and State. I don't want to get into whether it SHOULD be printed on the money or not. However, I'd like for you to think about putting your trust in God every time money passes through your hand. Whether it is the change that you put in a vending machine for a drink or a snack or the money you pay your bills with each month.

"I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Prayer: Lord, help us to remember to put our trust in you with everything.

Beth Ann Higgs, charter member and Church webmaster

They Came to Look

Read Scripture: John 12: 9-11


Key Verse: Verse 9 “The people came to take a look, not only at Jesus, but also at Lazarus who had been raised from the dead. “ The Message

They Came to Look

The word had gotten out that Jesus was back in town. Everyone wanted to come and see him, and also to see Lazarus, who Jesus had raised from the dead.

The high priests began to plan to kill Lazarus. Too many of the Jews were beginning to follow Jesus. They had to stop this before it got any larger.

Many times we are guilty of “just looking.” Just like the Jews coming to see Jesus, they were curious about what he was dong. They were curious about what was going on. They had heard stories of miracles, and they wanted to see for themselves.

We need to make our church services so exciting that throngs of people will ask questions and come to take a look. We need also to get the word out that Jesus is changing lives and restoring people to God! We need to invite people to come and take a good look! They will be blessed when they come.
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for the miracles that happened each day at Church of the Reconciler. Thank you for lives that are renewed and changed because people come and take a closer look at you. Amen
Thought for the Day: Help us to get the word out that all should come and take a good look.
Nancy Higgs

Some Things are Difficult to Understand

Read Scripture: Mark 14: 1-15, 47
Key Verse: Verse 5 “ They swelled up in anger, nearly bursting with indignation over her.” The Message
Some Things are Difficult to Understand
Mary had just anointed Jesus body with the perfume. Those who were there at the party were surprised, and many were upset. They did not understand what it all meant. Jesus told them that what she had done was a wonderful thing. He told them to leave her alone, that what she had done would be remembered forever.

We are often in situations that we do not understand completely what all is going on. Many times we make judgments on the actions of other people when we really should just step back and observe. This was the case with the people at Simon the Leper’s house in Bethany.

When was there a time that you “swelled up in anger” over a situation you did not completely understand? Maybe you read about something in the newspaper or heard about something on T.V.? Maybe you were in your own home and something happened that you questioned? We need to use Jesus’ advice and
not make judgments.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to try to understand what we are experiencing. Help us to not make judgments against people and become angry. Amen
Thought for the Day: There are situations that we do not understand fully, help us to not become angry and judgmental.
Nancy Higgs

“What’s in Your Pocket?”

Read Psalm 31: 1-16


Key Verse: Verse 3a “You are indeed my rock and my fortress…”

“What’s in Your Pocket?”

Rocks! Everywhere we go he picks up a new rock. He has a whole collection of rocks. For Christmas Santa Claus even brought him a sack of polished rocks in his stocking. They go into his pocket, a reminder of where we have been that day.

Rocks are a geological wonder! When you study the different kinds of rocks you discover the miracle of the creation of the whole world.

In verse 3a of Psalm 31 we read, ‘You are indeed my rock and my fortress..” The writer is speaking of God. He is saying that God is giving him his strength to make it through each day.

We have many trials and temptations that we face. We wonder how we are going to get through each day and week. Let God be your rock and your strength. God will help you in the struggle.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for loving us and forgiving us our sins as we also forgive those who sin against us. Help us to look to you as our rock.
Thought for the Day: Jesus is my rock and my strength.
Nancy Higgs

The Betrayal of Jesus

Read: Matt 26: 14 - 27, 66


The Betrayal of Jesus

Have you ever been betrayed by someone close to you; your parents, brothers, sisters, other family members, spouse, or any other person important to you? Jesus was betrayed by his disciples. First there was Judas, then Peter’s denial, and Judas identifying Jesus with a kiss on the cheek. These disciples were chosen to fulfill the prophecy that Jesus would die to pay for our sins. By his grace we are set free from our wrongdoings.

When I look back at my life, it seems as if most of the people who were the closest to me have betrayed me. Each time this occurred, the pain and suffering I felt was pretty awful. But each time, I was reminded that my faith is in God. He is the one who is always there for me. In times of great suffering, he is walking beside me. It doesn’t mean that I will not have pain and suffering, but I know that he will walk with me. At times, I have felt him as he carried me because I was too weak to walk.

Just as Jesus asked our Father in heaven, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” So should we forgive those who have hurt us. But that’s is not all. There is more that we should do and I was reminded of this by one of the folks I met at the Reconciler. He told me that I should ask that person for forgiveness. Now, I realize that sounds backwards. Why should I ask this person who hurt me for forgiveness. Why should I pray for blessings on them? Just try it. It can change your life. It may or may not change the life of the person who hurt you, but it can change your attitude about how you go through your life.
TODAY: Just think about someone who hurt you. Pray for God to bless them and bring all good things to them. Do this for fourteen days. It can change your life. Forgive them just as our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ asked that God forgive the people who betrayed him.
Gay Blalock

I Wait for the Lord

Psalm 130

I Wait for the Lord

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. (Psalm 130:5, NIV)

Waiting is so difficult! Patience is considered a fruit of the spirit, but so many of us find ourselves growing restless when waiting for an answer to a prayer. We get ourselves into deep trouble without any help from God. We struggle on our own for so long, then “out of the depths” we cry to God. Then we sit and wait for an answer. “Where are you, God?” we ask. “Aren’t you listening?”

The psalmist describes waiting as an activity, not a something passive. While we wait we pray, we hope, and we trust in the Lord’s redemption. The poet gives us the image of a watchman waiting for the morning. The watchmen is alert, attentive, but never in doubt that the dawn will break and a new day will begin.

We must wait in the same way. If we trust God, if we believe in God’s redeeming love, then we understand that when our prayers are answered doesn’t matter. We know they will be answered—in God’s time.

Dear God, Thank you for being with us as we struggle through life’s difficulties. Help us to put our faith, our trust, in You. Amen.

Karla Price Higgs