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A PUBLICATION OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
THEWINDOW 1411 BROADWAY | LUBBOCK, TX 79401 | 806.763.4607 | FUMC.COM | JUNE 2020
What’s Inside
WORSHIP—IT’S A PEOPLE THING If these past couple of months have taught us anything, it has helped us remember the true nature of worship. Worship is voicing reverence or worth to God in the old English word, but the scriptural words for worship are tied to action. Worship was in the bowing, in the praying, in the praising, in the giving, in the telling/singing of the stories. Worship was falling at the feet of God, surrendering in the face of God, and lifting hands of surrender to God. Worship has been richest in the gathered church (ecclesia), whether in home groups (Pentecost!) or houses of worship.
Page 02 Masks for Missions
Page 03 Lonliness
Page 04 Seniors 2020
Page 06 Our Life Together
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH•LUBBOCK
FIRSTLBK
MOVED BY JESUS. LOVING PEOPLE. SERVING ALL.
One word of both Old (Septuagint) and New Testaments was the Greek word litourgia from which we get our word raig urry “liturgy.” This word depicted the actions of the people, and those actions constituted worship. Litourgia literally points to our common voices and actions of serving up praise to our amazing God—Father, Son, and Spirit. SENIOR PASTOR
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These past few weeks of live-stream-only worship have kept us connected and allowed us to experience the word and music of worship from our homes. Livestream meets a specialized purpose, especially tying in people who shouldn’t or can’t get out, and those who are joining us outside of Lubbock. Streamed services have given us meaningful moments in prayer and inspiration, and we will continue to use them as a method of bridging the gap. God will use these efforts too. But something is missing—gathered participation. What is missing are your actions, your words, your faces, your presence, and praise. The litourgia of the church is the work of the people to offer our lives and praise to a worthy God. Our worship is hungry for your presence—when it’s safe! When we can and as we can, we get to reemerge as the ecclesia—the gathered church. Worship is gathered action! It’s the work of all of us together! As we reemerge into live worship, and as you can safely do so, come gather with us, and add your voices to the hymns and songs and readings, and bring a participation that begets others’ participations, so that the worship—the work of the people—might fill our worship spaces again! Gathered worship will have some changes; this will be a clean, mask-friendly, and safe space, but it will be God’s space, filled with all the sounds and sights of gathered action! And our worship will be an evolving blend of gathered and live-streaming people of God as we move forward! See you in worship! (on the live stream or at church six feet away!)
Our mission is to create a grace-filled environment in which Christ transforms lives.
Pastor Craig June 2020 | The Window
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Finally! We, as a nation, seem to be on the mend with fewer and fewer patients receiving treatment for our nemesis, Shera Atkinson Covid-19. Minister of Spiritual Stores are Formation and Congregational Care reopening and there’s more traffic on the streets. I don’t know about you, but I did rather enjoy fewer cars on the roads. Just the increased traffic alone provides a clear indication of the resumption of commerce and a sense of returning to a more normal existence. By now we have all cleaned out every closet and drawer, made longdelayed home repairs, planted a garden, homeschooled restless children, watched every Hallmark movie (again) and given Netflix a boost in sales.
Right? Most of us have returned to work in some fashion and life is beginning to hum along. What have we learned? What previously normal activities do we want to jettison, and what new activities do we want to keep? In the parlance of computers, let’s reboot the system. May I make some suggestions? First, let’s recognize we are likely to return to the old way of doing things. Old habits may reappear unbidden, and our previous lifestyle returns like a horse to a stable...galloping all the way. Second, let’s take advantage of this opportunity to make changes...or continue with the changes we’ve had to make but want to keep. For example, you may have discovered Zoom or Skype. Perhaps you may want to call your loved ones and friends via live video chats. It may be you have developed the habit of the 20-second hand washing routine. That’d be a good one to keep. The list could go on and on, but the point is to incorporate a few of the
MASKS FOR MISSIONS Missions is still active and involved is spreading the love of Christ in new ways! Here are a few updates We were able to hand out about 200 reusable masks to Grace campus and to those visiting Second Helpings thanks to Barb Bouma, Carol Gorman, Tina Dana, and a donation from our Lubbock community through Tiffany Edwards with FaceMasks4LBK. We have been feeding our neighbors at Grace Campus and Open Door through deliveries, while still handing out lunches at the door to those who visit us at Second Helpings.
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June 2020 | The Window
Although our out of town mission trips have been postponed we have hopes to meet additional needs in our community this summer. Stay tuned for announcements Be on the look out for Mission Monday Videos on social media and in your email this summer! We hope to inspire you to be in mission right where you are. — Sara Lattimore, Director of Missions & Outreach
new habits and experiences during this feeling of a fresh start. Third, be grateful–grateful that you have emerged with your life and cognizant of how, in a moment, our whole world can change. Have you given thanks to our Heavenly Father for His watch care over us and His lovingkindness for us? Do you have a renewed desire to return to worship with your church family and look outside to invite those who don’t have the firm foundation of a church home? And last, pray. Pray for yourself and your family. Pray for our church and the arrival of our new senior pastor. Pray for our city, state and nation. Pray without ceasing. We have a chance to start over. Let’s take advantage of this opportunity and move ahead with joy and a renewed commitment to God and each other. As has been said: “We’re all in this together.” Soli Deo Gloria, Shera
LONELINESS
There was a woman in the Old Testament whose wedding was fraudulent, and her own father deceived her. The only adjective used to describe the woman was “weak-eyed.” Not “beautiful,” or “lovely,” but “weak-eyed.”
he was named Levi. (Genesis 29:34)
She was Leah. Jacob’s unwanted wife.
Fast forward to today. Our feelings of loneliness differ from the type and scope of loneliness that Leah had over the years. Yet loneliness is powerful and can be scary.
It was obvious that Leah was rejected when Jacob reacted negatively – and seemed shocked – to waking up with Leah as his bride, rather than beside Rachel. Leah was left out, ignored, hated, overlooked, and rejected from day one of her marriage. Those feelings most certainly are terrible for anyone to endure, but especially for a newlywed woman. Leah did not deserve to be treated in that way. However, God gave special attention to Leah, and enabled her to have four sons. When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. Leah became pregnant, and gave birth to a son whom she named Reuben, for she said, “It is because the Lord has seen (looked at) my misery (affliction); Surely my husband will love me now. (Genesis 29:31-32) Leah was lonely and miserable during her marriage. Yet, when Jacob did not see Leah, God saw her agony. He observed her sadness and her misery. Leah conceived again, and when she gave birth to a second son, she said, “Because the Lord heard that I am not loved (hated), he gave me this one, too. So she named him Simeon.” (Genesis 29:33) Again, when Jacob did not hear Leah, God heard her cry. Leah was still lonely and unloved. She conceived again, and when she gave birth to another son, she declared, probably with more hope and less rage, but still in error: “Now at last my husband will become attached (joined) to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So
Leah’s reaction started to change when she delivered the fourth son. She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son, she said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah. (Genesis 29:35)
What we can learn from Leah’s story is that it took four sons for Leah to realize that she was loved – and always had been loved – by God. She finally realized that she could and should praise the Lord. She did finally realize that God saw her, that God listened to her, that God could comfort her, and that God was attached to her. The blessing for us to see from Leah’s life is that her dependence upon Jacob’s love and attention slowly turned toward God. Leah’s security turned from the traditional feelings for a human being to the deep love for the comfort and the strength and the gifts that were always hers to accept from her heavenly Father. “Judah” (Praise) is important in Jewish and Christian traditions. King David came from the tribe of Judah and Jesus Christ our savior is a later descendant of David and is referred to as “the Lion from the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5). Leah was ignored and hated by her husband. But, she served a much more important and esteemed purpose. Leah became the vessel of the blessing in Jesus Christ’s lineage. Leah was special to God. We are staying at home, learning to accept and trying to master our newest skill – social distancing. We are lonely and agitated by the changes forced upon us. Depression, anger, rage and doubt about the current situation may weigh heavily on us. It most certainly is challenging for us to be required to stay at home.
Yes, we may be safe from this virus at home, but our mental health may not be in safe condition. I was told – and I most certainly believe – that our immune systems are boosted when we interact with others – with a variety of friends and co-workers and acquaintances. Interaction is important with a multitude of people, rather than just those in our own household, no matter how much we love them. We are created to interact with each other. Christianity is all about relationships with others – through worship, grace, service, work, study, and forgiveness. The story of Leah guides us to bring our loneliness to our heavenly Father who sees us, hears us, cares for us and is united with each and every one of us. Each of us is special to God. God understands and knows our circumstance and our deep feelings. God keeps watching over us and hearing us, even when we feel that no one else has our best interest in mind. Whether we live with a houseful of family, with just one other person, or by ourselves, we most certainly stay strong through God’s love for us. We should not let the loneliness overtake us, discourage us, depress us – not in our hearts, not in our minds, not in our spirit and not in our relationships. Let us proclaim confidently and often: “Praise the Lord, I am blessed and united with Christ!” With the confidence of children in prayer, let us praise our sovereign God in the midst of a lonely situation. Let us acknowledge – and never doubt – that God sees us, listens to us, comforts us and unites with us! He IS in control. Seung-Won Cho Director of Traditional Music Ministries
June 2020 | The Window
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Kathryn Bell
Ellyn Brashear
Ford Brehmer
Mia Cantu
Colby Flathers
Elise Headrick
Kate King
Parker Lipetska
Parents: Keith & Clarissa Bell Monterey High School Texas Tech University
Parents: Jeff & Laurie Brehmer Lubbock High School Texas Tech University
Parent: Jeff Headrick All Saints Episcopal Abilene Christian University 4
June 2020 | The Window
Parents: Mark & Julia Clay Idalou High School Texas Tech University
Parents: Brad & Amy King All Saints Episcopal Texas Tech University
Parents: Robert & Jennifer Brashear All Saints Episcopal Oklahoma State Univ. Honors College
Parents: Clay & Lisa Flathers Coronado High School The University of Texas at Austin
Parents: Jason & Daun Lipetska Monterey High School University of Arkansas
Garrett Matthews
William McKibben
Britton McPherson
Avery Myatt
Wesley Pasewark
Jodi Powell
Payton Props
Ross Smitherman
Parents: John & Candice Matthews All Saints Episcopal Texas Tech University
Parents: Mike & Ashley McPhersonl Lubbock-Cooper High School South Plains College
Parents: James & Janet Powell Talkington School for Young Women Leaders - Oklahoma State University
Parents: Billy & Helen McKibben Lubbock High School Harvard University
Parents: Jody & Holly Myatt Abernathy High School University of Mississippi
Parents: Erick & Christi Propsl Lubbock High School Texas A&M University
Parents: Scott & Heather Pasewark Coronado High School South Plains College
Parent: Bryan Smitherman Lubbock High School Texas Tech University
June 2020 | The Window
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Our Life Together – May 2020 BIRTHS Congratulations to James and Madisen Tate on the birth of their son, Augustus Dalton. Augustus was born May 2. He has an older sister, Posey. The Tate’s have been members of First Lubbock since 2017. CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Aaron Lattimore. He graduated this May from California University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. He is pursuing certification to continue inspiring and leading students at Frenship ISD.
A Note from the Business Office: Second Quarter Statements First LBK Family, The business office will email second quarter statements in July. The emailed statement will come from us through our Shelby database. If you did not receive an emailed April statement, and believe you should have, please update your email address, at fumc. com/update-contact. If we do not have an email address on file in our Shelby database, your statement will be mailed. Please contact Stephanie Davis at sdavis@fumc.com if you have any questions. Thank you! The Business Office
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SYMPATHIES Sympathies to Alison Winton, Warren Taylor, and family on the death of their mother, Sylvia Louise Taylor. Sylvia passed away April 23. Visitation was for family only April 25 at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. A celebration of life was held on April 26, at Lake Ridge Chapel officiated by Dr. Craig Curry. The service was private and no guests were allowed. Sylvia was a member of the Chancel Choir, the Homebuilders Sunday School, as well as a member of First Lubbock since 1962. Sympathies to Tony, Bryan, Ross, and Carol-Anne Smitherman on the death of Monta Jean, wife, mother, and grandmother. Monta passed away April 24. A graveside service was held April 27 at Hillcrest Cemetery in McLean. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
WAYS TO
GIVE
While we are all practicing social distancing, the mission and ministry of the church is continuing. Now, as always, your tithes and offerings given to God through First United Methodist Church, Lubbock are greatly appreciated.
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To donate, text “tithe”, a space, and amount to 806-256-6004. For example: if you would like to donate $5, you would text “tithe 5”. If you are donating through TTG for the first time, you will receive a text containing a link to login or create your SecureGive account.
In-Person Worship Resumes June 7 6
Visit fumc.com/covid19-firstlbk for information
June 2020 | The Window
Memorials & Honorariums – May 15, 2020 EVERLIVING CHURCH TRUST In memory of Dick Wall by Wayne and Claudette Culp In honor of Jeremy Shwartz celebrating your birthday April 26 by Ben and Robin Lock In memory of Monta Jean Smitherman by Tom and Susan Clark
In memory of Monta Jean Smitherman by Betty Bowen In memory of Sylvia Louise Taylor by David and Harriet Bush MISSIONS In memory of Thresa O’Dell by UMW In memory of Richard Purdy by John White
In memory of George Morris by HI Robinson Sunday School
MUSIC MINISTRY In honor of Dr. Cho, Terry Hawkins, Jerry Gowler, David and Tamara Speer by Jim and Wanda White
In memory of George Morris by Julie Jameson
In memory of Sylvia Louise Taylor by Joe and Pam Murfee
In memory of Sylvia Louise Taylor by Don McInturff
In memory of Monta Jean Smitherman by Joe and Pam Murfee
In memory of Richard Purdy by Jim and Wanda White
In memory of Sylvia Louise Taylor by John White
In memory of George Morris by Wayne and Claudette Culp
In memory of Sylvia Louise Taylor by Jim and Wanda White
In memory of George Morris by Glenn and Lesley Robinson
In memory of Monta Jean Smitherman by Jim and Wanda White
In memory of Monta Jean Smitherman by Beverly Bowen
In memory of Sylvia Louise Taylor by Tommy and Jeannie Patterson
In memory of Thresa O’Dell by John White
In memory of George Morris by Kay Hanna In memory of Wanda Bryan by Kay Hanna
In memory of Monta Jean Smitherman by Tommy and Jeannie Patterson
In honor of Robin Lock for their 44th wedding anniversary, May 15 by Ben Lock
In memory of Sylvia Louise Taylor by Marcia Evans
In memory of George Morris by Shelah Lile In memory of George Morris by George and Judy Sell In memory of Monta Jean Smitherman by Miles and Jennifer Hornak In memory of George Morris by Jeff and Helen Smith FRIENDS OF MUSIC In memory of Sylvia Louise Taylor by Richard Landry In memory of Sylvia Louise Taylor by Dick and Sue Tolley In memory of Monta Jean Smitherman by Scott and Cathy Porter In memory of Monta Jean Smitherman by Wayne and Claudette Culp In honor of Martha Webster and family on her birthday, May 10 by Kay Hanna
In memory of Monta Jean Smitherman by Marcia Evans In memory of Sylvia Louise Taylor by Nelda Jett NICODEMUS FUND In memory of Carolyn Upchurch by Jim and Wanda White In memory of Carolyn Upchurch by Charles and Vi Zeeck In memory of Carolyn Upchurch by John White In memory of Carolyn Upchurch by Seekers Sunday School SECOND HELPINGS In memory of Richard Purdy by Nancy F. Edwards In honor of Charles Norton and Staff by Nancy F. Edwards TREASURED TIMES In memory of Sharon Wilson by Larkin and Bobbye Shaw In memory of Sharon Wilson by Melissa Long
June 2020 | The Window
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FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH•LUBBOCK
FIRSTLBK
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MOVED BY JESUS. LOVING PEOPLE. SERVING ALL.
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1411 Broadway Lubbock, TX 79401 Return Services Requested
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH•LUBBOCK
FIRSTLBK
FIRSTLBK
MOVED BY JESUS. LOVING PEOPLE. SERVING ALL.
WORSHIP SERVICES Traditional
8:30 a.m. Connect - Sanctuary 9 a.m. Bowman Chapel 11 a.m. Sanctuary
Contemporary
9:30 a.m. Christian Life Center 11 a.m. Christian Life Center @fumclbk @fumclbk 8
June 2020 | The Window
1411 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401 fumc.com The Window is a monthly publication of First United Methodist Church, Lubbock