Wise Men and Women - Washington United Methodist Church

LITTLE KANAWHA DISTRICT UMC
REPORTER
Jan/Feb 2014
Wise Men and Women
“Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking…” (Matthew 2:1)
I heard a good sermon Sunday by one of our pastor’s in the District. She was telling the story of the Magi, and commented on what made the wise men wise. In good homiletical fashion she made three points. I’d like to reiterate those
points as I invite you to think about these three Kings who are so closely identified with Epiphany.
First, said the preacher, the wise men were wise because they asked questions. Now, I view wisdom as a gift bestowed
upon certain individuals in order to edify the rest of us. But this is a good point. Perhaps the gift of wisdom is cultivated
in us as we develop a practice of asking questions. We learn a lot about people and circumstances just by asking a few
pointed questions. The wise men asked, “Where is the child who has been born King of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2)
Have you asked that question lately? Is he in our homes, our workplaces, or our churches? How about our hearts? This
is a great question to ask each and every day. Perhaps we’ve been taking the Bishop’s challenge by pausing at lunchtime
and asking, “Where have I seen God today?” Indeed, where is the Christ-child present? As followers of Christ, can we
answer this question when seekers ask it of us?
Second, the preacher said the wise men were wise because they didn’t give in to popular opinion. So often we gauge our
beliefs by what we think others want us to believe. We say the right things in order to be liked by others. We don’t want
to rock the boat, and are often satisfied to uphold the status quo. The wise men knew Herod wasn’t sending them to
Bethlehem to find the Christ-child so that he could go and pay him homage. They knew his true motive was to kill him.
They didn’t just go along. They were wise enough to have seen through him, and bold enough to return to their homes
by another road. Do we sometimes just go with the flow, even when we know the flow is going in the wrong direction?
Shouldn’t we be bold enough to go against wrongful intentions?
Third, according to the preacher, the wise men were wise because they worshipped the Christ-child once they found him.
“On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage.” (Matthew
2:11) In true Trinitarian fashion we worship Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is three-in-one. As the hymn states it so
eloquently, “God in three persons, blessed Trinity.” (Holy, Holy, Holy) How did they worship? They knelt down, and
offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But first, they had to open their treasure chests. Do we really think
we can truly worship by keeping our treasure chests locked and sealed? When we worship, we have to learn to open up
before God and let God know that we are offering God our best. What talents or treasures might you be keeping locked
up that could be offered up in service to Christ?
This Epiphany I invite you to let your light shine. Let it shine churches! Let it shine believers! The wise men shared
their wisdom by their example of asking questions, by not being influenced by popular opinion, and by worshipping the
Christ-child. What wisdom do you have to share? Have a blessed Epiphany, and let the light of Christ shine through
you.
In Christ’s service,
Ken
Dr. Ken Krimmel
LKD Superintendent
Rev. Dr. Kenneth W. Krimmel, Superintendent
1210 20th St., Parkersburg, WV 26101
304-428-6461
Di s t r ic t C a l e n d a r
6
7 pm
Crossroads Camp Board of Directors and Trustees
Camp Medical Building
CABINET
Chas.
DCOM
St. Andrew’s
District Clergy Meeting
Crossroads UMC
District Leadership Training Event
Stout Memorial
Youth gathering
Mt. Pleasant UMC
Retired Clergy Breakfast
Shoney’s
7-9
14-16
16
10 am
18
9-3
19
3-7 pm
20
8:30 am
21-23
KSAP
29-29
- (DS in Nashville)
CABINET
31
Chas.
DEADLINE FOR STATISTICAL REPORTS AT THE
CONFERENCE OFFICE!!
4-6
17
8:30 am
20
10 am
24-26
CABINET
Chas.
Retired Clergy Breakfast
Shoney’s
Clergy Meeting
TBA
CABINET
Chas.
HOS T CHUR CH E S n E E D E D
B
elow are dates for district clergy meetings for 2014. Host churches are needed for most dates. If your
church would be willing to host a clergy meeting, contact the District Office to volunteer. (These dates
are subject to change).
Hosting responsibilities include: Healthy snacks for fellowship time, brief worship service (preach or provide short devotion), provide elements for communion (DS to lead communion service). Typical clergy
meeting schedule is as follows (although this can change at the DS’s discretion):
10:00-10:30
10:30-10:45
10:45-12:00
Gathering/Fellowship
Announcements and prayer requests
Worship
2013-2014 Clergy Meeting Dates
Jan. 16
10 am at Crossroads United Methodist Church
Feb. 20
TBA —– Host church needed!
Mar. 20
Lauckport UMC
Apr. 10
TBA (NOTE: date change)
May TBA 3 pm
District Conference TBA
Little Kanawha District Youth Gathering
Sunday January 19, 2014
3-7 pm
@ Mt. Pleasants UMC in Mineral Wells
Food, Fellowship, Games, & Special Speaker
Come and join us!!!
3
6
HOS T CHUR CH E S n E E D E D
WHAT’S THE BUZZ ABOUT IMAGINE NO MALARIA?
As a result of the Nothing But Nets campaign which started in 2006 the death rate of children in Africa has been reduced by half. Today, we see how our faith in action saves lives.
United Methodists have faithfully raised $23 million with an additional $7 million in
pledges for a total of $30 million to fight malaria, providing more than 1.2 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets, training more than 5,000 health workers and strengthening hospitals throughout Africa.
Each district has been asked by Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball to raise funds for the Imagine
No Malaria campaign. We are planning to have dinners in a few locations across the Little
Kanawha District so it will be convenient to everyone to attend and help with this project.
The times and locations will be announced soon. If your church would like to host a dinner
please contact Rich and Deborah Shaffer, Parkersburg 304-428-8536, email:
[email protected]. or Rev. Kevin Lantz, Mineral Wells 304-489-1965, email:
[email protected].
In addition, we are going to have a 2 mile Walk/Bike/Run at the Parkersburg City Park on
March 22, 2014 starting at 9 am. We will invite some of the local running and biking clubs
to participate but everyone is encouraged to participate.
If you would like to donate to the Imagine No Malaria campaign you may put a check in the
offering plate designating “Imagine No Malaria” or send a check to the District office. For a
donation of $10 you can save a life. How many lives are you able to save? You may also
send your donation in honor or in memory of someone special as a Christmas gift.
To overcome malaria, we must stand together, united in the name of Jesus Christ. Resources
for congregations are available at ImagineNoMalaria.org.
O pp o r t u ni t i e s t o G i v e
A couple of our Churches in the Parkersburg area have been involved with the County Drug Court. An appeal from the director comes to us that several of their clients are not prepared for the winter cold. If you
have members who could contribute to winter coats, gloves, hats, or boots, please contact Kevin Lantz, Mt.
Pleasant UMC number - 304 489-1965
Most clients are in their mid-20's to 40-something. Gently used winter wear would be great!
There is a drop-off point in Parkersburg, or plans for pick-up can be arranged.
God's Peace to You,
Kevin Lantz
Lay Leader
Pastor Parish Relations Commitee
4
The lay leader’s role is a vital one that touches
the entire breadth of the congregation’s life.
Fulfilling this role gives you a wonderful opportunity to make a Kingdom impact.
Lay Leader
Pastor Parish Relations Committee
Merry Christmas
a n d H a p p y N e w Ye a r!
From:
Ken Krimmel
and
Davina Bell
Your Little Kanawha District Office Staff
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Next Newsletter Deadline:
Monday, Feb. 17
LITTLE KANAWHA DISTRICT UMC
Reporter
1210—20th St.
Parkersburg, WV 26101
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