God grant me courage: that I may plant seeds of peace.

                                                      

(Common Prayer, p. 254).

 

Dear Friends,

 

During last Wednesday night's adult Bible study, we discussed Jesus' parable of the Sower as it is found in the gospel of Matthew (ch. 13). As I reconsider the wisdom of this teaching, it gives me new perspective on the many 'seeds' that are being sown about the life of the church in this exciting and challenging time. As the parable suggests, some arenas are more suitable for long term growth than others, and some seeds are sown in places that others might consider a waste of effort. And yet, the Sower just continues to sow, giving the very best of what he has so that all would have the opportunity to receive it and to respond accordingly.  

 

In light of this gospel reality, I cannot tell you how proud I am of our most recent confirmation class. How wonderful it was to gather in worship and watch as they declared openly their faith in Christ, in free response to the seeds of grace and truth which had been sown into their hearts and lives over the many months. As I remember that day, I celebrate their courage and witness to the living hope that is now planted within them.

 

Meanwhile, I look upon the growing stacks of papers and post-it notes on my desk and wonder why the 'mountain' has not yet been moved. Is it my own lack of faith? Or is it just a big bag of seeds? Indeed, I believe it is the latter (or so I hope).

 

Admittedly, this church office has sown plenty of 'seeds' your way in recent weeks, and it may seem impossible to ensure that they all take root at just the right time. You've received mailings, invitations, volunteer requests, and more (and that's just from the church). The seeds just keep coming! And in our own household, Kristi and I realize that the longer these seeds lie around with no decision made, the more likely the birds will come and snatch them away. Sometimes we might wish that they would disappear, or that the Sower would just leave us alone altogether; but at what cost?

 

In Matthew's gospel, the arrangement of these parables of Jesus reveals a rhythm of growth, decision, and consequence. For those with ears to hear and hearts to respond, the kingdom of heaven abounds. For others who insist on the 'sacred' limitations of the current religious establishment, there is much groaning, moaning, and the gnashing of teeth. Personally, I have experienced both scenarios in this life and know which one I prefer...don't you?

 

Thus, as has been the case since its original formation, I believe Matthew's presentation of Jesus and his teaching to be wildly applicable to the future course of the Church in the here and now, and especially so to the present life of PBUMC. As we make our decisions of how we will respond to our Living Hope campaign, or to any other call of God for that matter, I pray that our hearts and minds will be cultivated under the conditions of the "good soil" (Matt. 13:8).

 

Not everything in this life will take root in us-and nor should it. But at this point in time, I continue to believe in the sanctity of this field of ministry, the quality of this seed, and in the love and faithfulness of the One who sows it.

 

 Thy Kingdom come...thy will be done...

 

For Christ,

 

Darren

  

Prayer has always been used in this country for guidance, protection and strength-even before we were a nation or a handful of colonies. Our founding fathers also called for prayer during the Constitutional Congress. In their eyes, our recently created nation and freedoms were a direct gift from God. And being a gift from God, there was only one way to insure protection, through prayer. It is our goal that you, family and friends would participate in the National Day of Prayer. We pray that the event impacts your life, and that praying for our nation moves from a one-day event to a lifetime endeavor.

 

So join us on Thursday May 3, and pray with conviction that God would continue to shed his grace on thee. The church Sanctuary will be open from 9:00am to 2:00pm.

 

The Perdido Bay United Methodist Church Prayer Team

 

 

RUTH CIRCLE will meet for lunch this Wednesday, May 2, at Niki's Boat House in Pensacola. It is the renamed Crab Trap and is next to Wahoo Stadium. We will meet at 11:15 at the Community Center and carpool from there. Call Kathy Loveless at 492-1938 for more information. 

 

LADIES' BIBLE STUDY 101 LED BY PEGGY BRIESE will hold their last session before summer hiatus on Tuesday, May 15. The class will resume in this fall, on September 11.

 

MONDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY IS BACK!!

A new study will begin on May 7, in the Community Center at 6:30pm using the small group approach of the "Upper Room." No advance preparation is necessary. Each participant will be encouraged to put a personal focus on the discussions. Our shared desire will be to know God in our lives. Outside work will be limited to reading of daily devotion in the "Upper Room." Books will be provided. Christ said that where two or three gather in his name, he is present (Matthew 18:20).

 

PBUMC ENDOWMENT PROGRAM - Think about the part you want to play in your church's future. Naming your church as a beneficiary in your estate plan to create an endowment can assure your continued participation in the life and mission of your church far into the future. Check out the PBUMC website (click here) for more information on the Perdido Bay UMC Permanent Endowment Program, or contact Jerry Patee, Chairman, PBUMC Permanent Endowment Program.

 

WHAT IS BARNABAS ON CALL?  It is caring for one another in a believing community by providing food with love in a time of need. "...you will always have all you need and plenty left over to share with others." 2Corinthians 9:10.  Your generosity is an imitation of God's generosity. Please sign up to provide a main dish, salad, or dessert perhaps only once or twice during the year. Call Anne Gilbert at 497-0099, and say yes to helping your fellow Christians at Perdido Bay UMC. If you are all ready on the list, we thank you for your continued support.

 

MESSAGE FROM KEN WRIGHT, WEAC Manager: I would like to thank all of the churches that participated in the 'Souper Bowl' Sunday. From January through March, we have helped 653 families. The Post Office food drive takes place on Saturday, May 12. This is one of the largest food drives of the year, and also gives the community a chance to help their neighbors in need. We would like to ask each church to please provide at least 1 truck and at least 4 people. Volunteers will need to be at the Warrington Post Office before 2:00pm on Saturday, May 12, and the food drive usually lasts until around 6:00pm. Special needs are canned meats, macaroni and cheese, rice, beans and breakfast items.

 

YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A TWICE A MONTH GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP Please come, to learn and to share with others in understanding the grief process, learning methods of coping with grief and working through your loss. The group is lead by Paula Butler with Covenant Hospice and held the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, in the Community Center, from 10:00 to 11:30am. Registration is suggested but not required. There is no charge to attend. This will be an on-going group open to people who have experienced the death of a loved one. For more information, or to register for this group, please call the church office at (850) 492-2135.

 

 

 

Easter Cantata 2012