New Covenant UMC Blog

Traditionally, April 15 is the day that Federal income tax returns are due to the Internal Revenue Service.  Since April 15 is a Sunday and Monday, April 16 is a holiday in Washington DC, taxpapers get to April 17 to file their 2011 federal tax returns.   While most of us probably have questions about how our tax dollars are spent, most all of us that taxes are necessary.   Through the funds we get from taxes, community infracstructure is built (e.g. roads, sewer lines, etc.)  and people are helped (e.g. children retirees, etc.)   

Every Sunday, we have the opportunity to give our gifts to God when the offering plate or basket is passed.   The monies that we give to the Lord and His Church, the body of Christ, also undergird infrastructure in the life of our church’s ministry (e.g. lights, insurance, etc.) and also help others (e.g. music ministry, children’s ministry, etc.)     While we have to pay our taxes or suffer consequences from the government (including prison), we do not have to give to God.    The apostle Paul says that “God loves a cheerful giver”  (see II Corinthians 9:7).       God desires for us to give gladly because it feels good. 

On this April 15, I hope you have our 2011 federal tax returns done or in process.  Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

 During these days around Easter, I have been studying each of the resurrection stories in the gospels. Though each of the gospel stories affirms the fact that the Lord is risen, each of them are a little different. One of the things I noticed about the stories is that Jesus shows up in so many different places to many different people. In Matthew 28, Jesus shows up on the mountain to his disciples. In Luke 24, we hear Jesus showing up on the road to Emmaus, at the dinner table, and in the small town of Bethany. In John 20-21, we see Jesus show up in the cemetery, behind closed doors, and by the seashore.

 It must have been when I first became a Christian when Easter became my favorite Christian holiday (or holy day). When I was a child, I have to admit that the lure of toys and presents made Christmas more important than Easter to me. When I became a Christian at 17 years old, I began to give up my childish ways.

Though merchants have their pictures of bunnies and eggs trying to take center stage at Easter, they cannot take Easter away from the King of Easter and King of my heart- the Lord Jesus. They could not keep the Lord Jesus in the grave, and they cannot crowd Him out of Easter despite the best of intentions from advertisers. Easter is about Jesus and His resurrection.

Easter makes a trip to the cemetery much different than usual. I have been to a cemetery more times than I like to remember to bury parents, grandparents, and friends in Christ. Most of the time, I feel a lump in my throat and a pain in my heart as I visit the cemetery. But not on Easter. Because Christ lives, death does not have the last word. No, God (and not death) has the last word.

Easter also makes the trip through life a lot easier. Because of Easter, I realize that Christ Jesus is not one who was just a good man who lived and died. Because of Easter, I celebrate that Christ Jesus lives today because he overcame death. He is present with us even as he was present with those on that first Easter offering us His help and His hope as we face the trials and troubles of daily life.

Have a blessed week.—Pastor Randy Wall

Yesterday, someone shared with me that a child in their family recently watched the movie “The Passion of the Christ”.    Produced by actor Mel Gibson, the movie presents in very graphic detail the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus and the events that unfolded before his crucifixion.      If you have seen the movie, you will recall that there is a scene that shows the soldiers actually hammering the nails into the hands of the actor playing Jesus.    I recall that Mel Gibson said that he was the one who actually hammered the nails into the hands of Jesus. 

I have never been in a movie scene, but I do know that to some degree that I too put the nails into the hands of Jesus when he was nailed on the cross.    My sins, mistakes, errors, and failures put Jesus on that cross.  I have missed the mark and fallen short of the glory of God more times than I wish to remember.    In this Holy Week,   God continues to remember me and to offer his everlasting love and forgiveness to me.    Thanks be to God.  Have a blessed Holy Week.—Pastor Randy Wall

Though it is the Monday of Holy Week, I find myself still re-visiting the events of Palm Sunday. What a glorious day.  Here are a few thoughts:

The choir shared their Easter cantata “Near the Cross” yesterday at both services.    I shared a brief meditation that I hoped was appropriate for the cantata and Palm Sunday.  Though the bulletin called what I shared a “message”, I realize that the choir shared the real message  on Palm Sunday.  Music and the story it told was the message.    How central music is to our worship experience, and how grateful I am to God for the wonderful music ministry we have at New Covenant Church.  I look forward next Sunday to our praise band, Praise 150, sharing music at both Easter Sunday services.

We call the first day of Holy Week, Palm Sunday, because as Jesus was entering the city of Jerusalem the scriptures tell us that the crowd put palm branches at his feet and echoed the Psalms saying, “Hosanna.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”    We must not forget in these days another set of palms:  Jesus’ palms.   On Good Friday, nails pierced the palms of Jesus’ hands as he was crucified on a cross.    As he was crucified there, the sins of all of us are written there on the palms of Jesus’ hands as he finds forgiveness for one and all.  Have a joy-filled day and a blessed Holy Week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

Though he was a pastor, he spoke as a father.  His voice trembled as he told me about his 22 year old son  who was killed last year and how hard it had been on him, his wife, and children.   He said, “You know, I don’t know the name of the man who killed him.    I don’t know what he looks like, but I have prayed for him because God knows him.   And I have forgiven him.”  

Next week is Holy Week, the name given for the last week of Jesus’ ministry.  Holy Week starts this coming Sunday as we gather for Palm Sunday and remember Jesus final visit to Jerusalem before his death  as people laid palm branches at his feet.  We will gather for worship on Maundy Thursday.  As we take the bread and cup, we will remember how Jesus gathered that night for a last supper with his disciples before he gave his body and blood for all the next day. 

Sometime next week,  I will read anew those words of the scripture that Jesus spoke from the cross where he prayed:  “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”    As I read those words,  I will think of not just Jesus.  I will also thank God the Father that he forgives me though I have failed to love Him and love others.    As I read those words, I will also remember a pastor/father who forgives even when his son is gone.    –  Pastor Randy Wall

You will find below a recent picture of my 2 year old grandson, Thomas.   Since he now lives out of state with his  Mom, Dad, and sister, I do not get to see him very often.     He is such a handsome boy, and I miss him a lot.   A lot of times when we see children or their pictures, many of us wonder who they look like.    As I look at this picture, I can see features of  both Ginger and Christian, Thomas’ parents.   

 Who do you look like?    Some people might say you look like one of your parents… a sibling… or even your grandparents.      As a follower of Jesus,  I  want to look like Jesus.  In John 14: 8-9 we find this exchange between Philip and Jesus:  ^“Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”  Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’.”          I hope that you do too.    This Grandpa surely wants Thomas to look like Jesus too.  Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall 

Monday, I participated in a webinar with Ken Carter, David Christy,Jeremy Troxler,  and Jennifer Davis about the 2012 General Conference to be held in Tampa Florida in late April and early May.  The General Conference is a combination of worship and business attended by approximately 1000 Methodists from around the world.    Among the things we discussed in the webinar was the “call to action”, a plan to re-vitalize local church congregations.       New Covenant Church is already a vital congregation.  The Spirit of the living God is working among us in so many mighty ways.     

As I have thought about the webinar the last couple of days, it occurs to me you can see when a congregation is vital and alive in Christ.    Yet, it also occurs to me that there are many ways that a congregation is vital that you cannot see.       We cannot see the prayers that are lifted up daily and weekly for persons that are on our prayer lists or for the ministry of our church.  Many  do not see the number of persons that spend time reading and studying the Bible as they grow in the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ.    We do not easily see the people that share their faith daily by offering a listening ear to a troubled co-worker or a meal to people who are sick or homeless.      There is so much about the ministry of this vital congregation called New Covenant Church that no one sees except the God who is given the glory through it. 

Hebrews 11:1 says this about faith: “  Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”       I think that what is really happening in these things most of us do not see is that faith is at work.    Have a joy-filled week.  –  Pastor Randy Wall