Cactus

Dear Saints Of Andrew:

This is Bruce Davis, coming to you from St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church in Omaha, Nebraska. We gathered a bunch of new e-addresses yesterday. For those new to these mailings, this is A-MAIL (as in Andrew)--an always informative epistle sent out as the spirit moves me.

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Nancy and I moved here from Springfield, Missouri, last year; this was our first Vacation Bible School at St. Andrew’s—and we just loved it. United Methodists like to talk about “heart warming worship"; any who were part of yesterday’s 9:15 service surely had their hearts warmed by the children and their friends, including Cody The Coyote, Rosa The Jackrabbit and Pablo The Spicy Chili Pepper. I initially thought Cami Pitman was perhaps a pickle, though it turned out she was a cactus. My mistake.

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Speaking of warmed hearts, Nancy ’s “Life Is Difficult, But God Is Good,” clearly connected with our 8:00 & 10:45 worshipers. One wrote, “Please pass along my thanks and kudos to Pastor Nancy for an inspiring message on Sunday. The content cut right to the heart of listeners. Praise God for anointing Pastor Nancy with this message.”

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I’m in the pulpit the next couple of Sundays. This week, July 2, we’re working with God & Country themes and a sermon titled, “PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT.” Pam is putting together what she’s calling a Patriotic Choir. If you’d like to participate, show up for practice this Wednesday at 7:00. Then, for the 9^th, I’m working on a sermon called “DOGS.”

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I’m feeling perky today, and surely one reason is last night’s softball games. I wound up pitching back-to-back games for the first time in a long time. The Crusaders lost a close game to a very good team, then the Ambassadors crushed the Sofa Kings. That was fun. On a down note, I must say this: I’m appalled at the injuries we’re racking up: torn rotator cuffs, severely pulled hamstrings, deep bruises, shoulder injuries, leg injuries. We need a team physician.

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GUYS BIBLE STUDY

The Gospel According To Mark

Monday Evenings, August 7, 14, 21 & 28

6:30-7:45, Led By Bruce Davis

There is no cost to this; the only book you need is a Bible, but we’ll appreciate knowing how many to plan for, so please RSVP via return e-mail.

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DEE H. tells us the St. Andrew’s Bridge Ladies are looking for Bridge Players. They meet on the second Tuesday of each month from 10:00-2:00. For more information, call Lela C.

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PIZZA WITH THE PASTORS

July 9, 5:00-6:30

Designed For People Interested In Moving Toward Membership At St. Andrew’s.

Sign up at the Hospitality Desk in the Rotunda, or via return e-mail.

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PASTOR CHARLOTTE asks: Prayers for Betty Jean R., ill in (Gail H.’s mother; 87 years old). Prayers for Megan, struggling with difficult health and financial issues (sister of Jennifer B.).

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2 Corinthians 8:7-15

As you excel in everything-- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you-- so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking. I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something-- now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has-- not according to what one does not have. I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. As it is written, "The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little."

COMMENTARY: This week’s lectionary epistle lesson reminds us that the concept of “Gracious Generosity” has been part of the Christian mix since the gospel era. Paul was inviting believers in places like Corinth to share with the beleaguered church in Jerusalem. Note that Paul does not talk about amount, but motive, “For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable.”

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BRD