The Circuit Writer
The Monthly Newsletter of Chatham United Methodist Charge
May 2022
From Pastor Bryan
Once again, I turn to Max Lucado and his book “You Are Never Alone” to give us the insight that we need as we enter God’s Word. Max reminds us that thanks to the work of Jesus, his servants can be restored. The years take their toll on the purest of Saints. Our souls get soiled. Our luster diminishes. We need cleaned up. We'd be wise to admit it, to come clean and come out of hiding. We too have fallen flat, fallen hard and fallen enough to get to leave us wondering how in God's name got God names as his own. When you reflect on your deeds, maybe even your darkest deeds where do you find yourself?
Max Lucado tell us in his book that restoration is the second blessing in the prayer for a second chance. In the first blessing, God Forgives and, in the second blessing, God continually restores us to our place of service. He washes us clean, restores us like an old masterpiece for a reason, that we might be once again hang as portraits of his goodness in a righteous gallery. Jesus did this with Peter.
As we know from our readings in Lent, on the eve of the crucifixion. Jesus had told his followers that they would all abandon him. But Peter said to him, “even if everyone should lose faith, I will never.”” Believe me, Peter”, replied. Jesus, “This very night before the cock crows, you will disown me three times. Peter’s resolve was to be short lived. When the Romans, arrested Jesus, Peter and the other followers scattered like roaches when the light is turned on. Peter did manage enough courage to follow behind but not enough to enter the court. When he was confronted about his association with Jesus. Peter denied that he ever knew the man. Three times. Suddenly Jesus words flashed in Peter's mind. He broke down and he wept.
Max Lucado tells the story about he and his brother running around, a grocery store making a mess. Bottles flew in every direction, glasses of honey no less. Shoppers stopped and stared, and a store manager appeared spitting fire. “Whose boys are these” he demanded. Then from behind hi,, he heard the voice of his mom. “They belong to me”, she said, “We'll clean up this mess.” Jesus felt the same way about Peter, he belongs to me, I can clean up this mess.
As we see in John 21:1 – 19, the message lesson for May 1st , the cleanup would take place on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Peter and the other followers traveled 80 miles to the north to the Sea of Galilee. Maybe Peter decides that with Jesus gone it was time to go back to his old profession, and they put out onto the lake to fish but they caught nothing. But a stranger on the shoreline seemed to know more about “fishing” that day. The nets were suddenly full of full of fish and the stranger on the beach was a stranger no longer. It was the risen Jesus who had come not to have a morning breakfast of cooked fish but rather the restore Peter for the ministry that he had to do.
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said “Peter, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these”? Peter said that he did. “Everyone else, Peter says, “may stumble in her faith because of you, but I will not.” Yet Peter had fallen publicly and painfully, so Jesus restored him publicly and personally. Peter had denied the Lord three times so, the Lord in response, asked three questions. “Do you love me more than these? Do you love me? Do you love me?” Peter seized the opportunity to repent on each denial with a confession. “I love you. I love you. I love you”. His boasting was gone. His heart was honest. So Christ restored Peter with three personal commissions reflective of his future mission and ministry “Feed my lambs, tend to my sheep, feed my sheep!”
Lucado tells us that Peter was discouraged but not disqualified. We too have our own fumbles and stumbles, that leave us questioning our place in God's plan. So let this story remind you that Christ is not finished with you either. You may be down, but you're not out, at least not with Jesus. You might feel alone, but you are not alone. Not with Jesus. Jesus went on a search and rescue mission for Peter, and he will do the same for you! Blessings, Bryan
Planning ahead to Worship our Lord
These are the lessons planned for the coming month. Please take the time to read the scriptures (the message lesson is always the last one listed), review the message preview and consider what the scriptures are teaching us as you prepare to come to worship each Sunday.
May 1: Third Sunday of Easter, Communion Sunday
Scripture: Revelation 5:11 - 14, Acts 9:1 - 6, John 21:1 - 19
Message: The Resurrection Changes Everything!
Description: So, as we begin our lesson today the disciples are no longer in Jerusalem but have travelled back to a place that is familiar to them, a place that holds much comfort and spiritual significance to them. We find them in Galilee where the disciples have gone to wait and escape the fear created by the scrutiny and criticism of them by the mob in Jerusalem. Or perhaps they were still bewildered by Jesus' death, the ambiguity of the commission that He gave them in the first appearance, or as we are all likely to be, impatient with God’s timing and decided to return to their old stomping grounds, back to where Jesus was with them. In either case they decided to wait out God’s answers for what was next for them in Galilee and as they waited Peter decided he needed to do something different, so he says, “Let’s go Fishing”
After a fruitless night of fishing, a faceless voice from the shore called out, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No” comes the reply. “Then cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some”. By telling them to cast the net on the right side of the ship, Jesus was testing their faith by recommending a procedure the Galilean fishermen never used but they comply. When they did, their nets became so full that they couldn’t be dragged into the boat. Jesus teaches them that things have changed, what the disciples did prior to the resurrection cannot be implemented now. The Resurrection as changed how we come to salvation, Resurrection Changes Everything!
May 8: Fourth Sunday of Easter
Scripture: Acts 9:36 - 43, John 10:22 - 30, Revelation 7:9 - 17
Message: Who are These?
Description: In our scene today, a crowd has come to celebrate their Savior faithfully and ardently for an Eternity. All of the angels hover over and around the great multitude. The elders watch and listen intently as this Heavenly congregation praises the Father and the Lamb. John is rightful awestruck by the scene. Then John is then rhetorically asked by one of those elders “Who are These”, where did they come from”. The elder says to John “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation, they have come through great challenge to be here”. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
These souls have become the example of Jesus. These are the ones who put on Christ, put on his life, and lived it as though it were their own. The lived it for those in need. They have lived and worked for the benefit of others. Those are the characteristics of saint, both living and resting. It is in this truth that we are reminded that while holiness is a Christian calling, it is also the work of God. Holiness does not come from us, it comes from the Lamb in whose name, person, and earthly calling we are made free like Part of the Multitude to approach the throne with boldness. Who are These? They are the saints that have gone before us, they are the saints that live among us and we all desire to be one a member of that multitude.
May 15: Fifth Sunday of Easter
Scripture: Acts 11:1 - 18, John 13:31 - 35, Revelation 21:1 - 6
Message: The Beginning and the End
Description: On this Fifth Sunday of Easter, we continue to celebrate the mystery of Jesus’ resurrection. A resurrection that promises we will be the same, but totally different. Everything will be made new, not that everything will be replaced by new and different things but that everything, including us will be made like new, renewed in spirit and in purpose. We will be new people living in a renewed Jerusalem, living in eternity with God in our midst
Just as our mortal bodies will be transformed to be like the resurrected and glorified body of Jesus, this heaven and this earth will not simply be replaced, but transformed into something new, into what the initial home for mankind could have been, into the Garden of Eden before man ruined it. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory over the forces of evil through our Lord Jesus Christ! O Lord, who makes all things new, we are weary of doing things the old way, our own way, the way that leads to suffering and pain and death. Change us, God. Transform us. Make us new, so that we can claim your promise of eternal life that starts now. You are the Beginning and the End!
May 22: Seventh Sunday of Easter
Scripture: Acts 16:9 - 16, John 14:23 - 29, Revelation 22:10, 22 – 22:5
Message: New Jerusalem
Description: In this book of so many visions, we arrive at the final vision; final not only because it is the last in this book, but final because here we see the ultimate destination to which God will bring the world. God has brought heaven down to mankind, so that He could dwell with them for an eternity. He has made all things new, not replaced with different things but everything that was created by God for man has been re-created and made to be new again, renewed.
We as Believers are made new and refreshed by the second coming of Jesus and now we have the opportunity to know more about what is our eternal home, the home that we have earned through our belief and faithfulness to God through the challenges that we have faced. Our eternal home is New Jerusalem which is also called the Holy City, the City of God and the Celestial City and it is literally heaven on earth. One thing is certain. nothing impure will ever enter the city's gates. Only those whose names are in "the Lamb's book of life" and who thus belong to him through redemption can enter. The people saved by Christ’s sacrifice have their names written in the Lamb’s book of life, it is the full listing of the universal church. It contains the name of every follower of Christ who ever lived. And access to New Jerusalem is their exclusive right. Friends the only way to participate in the future city is to turn one's total loyalties to the Lamb now!
May 29: Seventh Sunday of Easter
Scripture: Psalm 97, John 17:20 - 26, Acts 16:16 - 34
Message: Breaking Chains
Guest Speaker: Sharon Babbert
Chatham Charge News:
New Bible Study
We will be starting a new Bible Study in late April and running through May. It is a book that we don’t often read from in Worship, it appears in the Common Lectionary only 34 times over the three cycles, because it can be challenging to understand or interpret. Ecclesiastes shows that certain paths in life lead to emptiness. This profound book helps us discover the true purpose in life. Such wisdom can spare us from emptiness that results from a life without God. King Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes, teaches that people will not find meaning in life through knowledge, money, pleasure, work, or popularity. True satisfaction comes from knowing what we are doing is part of God's purpose for our lives. This is a book that can help free us from our scramble for power, approval, and money, and draw us closer to God. I am looking forward to seeing what Solomon has to teach us in these 12 chapters over the next month.
2022 VBS Plans
I am super excited to announce the plans for the Chatham Charge Vacation Bilble School. One again we will be holding two sessions of VBS at St Louisville Church from June 21st – 24th and again at Liberty Church from July 11th - 14th. The hours at each location is from 6 – 8PM. The VBS is open to everyone ages 3 -12 in the communities around the Charge and is free to attend.
The theme verse is "Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us." —Ephesians 3:20, CEB
The theme is To Mars and Beyond! One small step for kids...one giant leap for God's Kingdom! Blast off with the first VBS to land on Mars! To Mars and Beyond will help kids discover the wonders of God's universe. They'll become Voyagers on a journey through space, exploring where God's power can take them. Beginning in your Assembly area-an outpost on Mars-they'll lift off to distant planets on special missions to collect power sources. Along the way, they'll learn how God walked with heroes of the Bible, and that God is always with them, too. Add to the adventure with out-of-this-world fun, learning, and timeless Bible stories that inspire kids to give glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine! for ages 3-12. The days will include activities, bible stories, science, active learning, recreation, crafts, snacks and music videos.
More information will be coming including pre-registration information. There will also be opportunities to volunteer at either or both VBS locations. So, invite your kids, grandkids, great grandkids, friends and relatives, and all the neighbors to travel with Chatham Charge To Mars and Beyond!
The Life of the Church Coming Events
May 3 – Bible Study Conference Call, 7PM
May 4 – Bible Study, St Louisville In Person and Conference Call, 2PM
May 10 – Bible Study Conference Call, 7PM
May 11 – Bible Study, St Louisville In-Person, and Conference Call, 2PM
May 17 – Bible Study Conference Call, 7PM
May 17 – St Louisville UMW Meeting, 1PM @ church.
May 18 – Bible Study, St Louisville In-Person, and Conference Call, 2PM
May 24 – Bible Study Conference Call, 7PM
May 25 – Bible Study, St Louisville In-Person, and Conference Call, 2PM
May 31 – Bible Study Conference Call, 7PM
June 1 – Bible Study, St Louisville In-Person, and Conference Call, 2PM
Bible Study phone number is 508-924-5730
Happy Birthday!
5/4 Bill Byrnes
5/5 Deb Soter
5/7 Beverly Bevard
5/10 Wes Bennett
5/10 Brett Cliver
5/18 Patrick Byrnes
5/20 Kayla Hughes, Paul Layman, Josh Yates
5/24 Troy Mallow
5/27 Bob Bevard
5/28 Bob Cliver
Happy Anniversary!
5/16 Ruth and Rick Wilson
5/18 Nancy and Dean Runyon
5/26 Donna and Arnold Pope
5/29 Beverly and Bob Bevard
Please Keep these Friends in Prayer
“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
St Louisville
Mark Soter Bryan Miller
Warren, June, and Pauline Teri Schaller
Mary Ann & Power Family Bonnie Pound
Bob and Bev Bevard Brett Cliver
Kathy Robinson
Chatham
Frances Garno Suzann Warner
Jane Smith Sandy Bennett
Paul and Carolyn Rostofer
Liberty
Sally Lindsay Sandy Hubbard
Donna and Joe Tate Troy Mallow
Thelma McCurdy