SEPTEMBER 2021 EDITION
THE WOODLANDS METHODIST CHURCH
THESENIORPOINT THE WOODLANDS METHODIST CHURCH
A FAMILY REUNION
A MESSAGE FROM
When I was a kid growing up, I used to love our family reunions. Getting the chance to spend time with grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins was something that I always looked forward to. We would play games, eat a lot, and catch one another up on the happenings of our lives since we were last together.
PASTOR TO SENIOR ADULTS
LEE BREWER
Written by: Brent Parker
As I got older, and especially since getting married and having kids of my own, my participation in these family reunions has waned. In fact, the occurrences of family reunions have dropped off as well. And, I don’t think that mine or my family’s reunion patterns are unique. With the rise of Facebook, most of us can simply open an app on our phone or open our computer and catch up on the news of our family members. Additionally, as a result of placing our children in so many summer activities, finding a weekend that will fit each family member’s calendar seems nearly impossible. This past year of COVID, with the travel restrictions and social distancing guidelines associated with it, didn’t make it any easier to gather for these heartwarming and bond building moments. Though it’s not quite the same, and there remain plenty of excuses for not being an active participant, our ability to gather with the church family just might fill the gap that we’ve recognized within us. Whether it’s returning to the sacred space of your favorite worship service, stepping back into your Sunday school class or small group, or showing up for one of the Senior Adult ministry events, I’m confident that you’ll experience those feelings of warmth, joy, and belonging that you once felt when you were getting together with the church family before. The author of Hebrews reminds us that we should not give up meeting together (10:25). We were created to be together in community! And, there’s not nearly as many travel arrangements or calendaring challenges involved in making the decision to come back home to the church. So, what are you waiting for? Can your pastors, Sunday school teachers, and Senior Adult ministry team plan to see you this week? We sure hope so. The family reunions just aren’t the same without you!
“not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25
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September is here, and it marks several events in life in much of the northern hemisphere. First, of course, traditionally September is when school begins again and there is much celebration and thanksgiving among parents. It is also the month that marks the beginning of meteorological autumn: in September the amount of light and dark become almost identical, with the period of dark each day becoming longer than the light until the spring equinox turns things around. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Ecclesiastic New Year begins on September 1 because it was the time of harvest, and the cycle of the year is seen as being complete. All of these point in the direction of change: things are different in significant ways this month. Change is a necessity of life – especially the spiritual life. Jesus tells Nicodemus the key to finding real life is being “born again.” In Christ we are changed to see and approach life differently with the goal each day of becoming more like Christ. We strive to see the fruits of righteousness in our lives and to touch the lives of others. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us to do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Gal. 6:9-10) Working on the changes God wants me to make,
Lee