Can I Die Without Regrets?

The focus in this week’s Lenten study is “Can I die without regrets?” As I was reading the beginning parts of this week, I was reminded of a song by Sweet Honey in the Rock, entitled, the Ballad of Harry T. Moore. He was an organizer in Florida in the 1930’s and 40’s who, along with his wife, worked to register more black voters in the state of Florida than all the other southern states combined. Listen to the introduction and live performance, featuring Bernice Johnson Reagon at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wEPZ0rTsHs

Originally a Langston Hughes poem, Sweet Honey puts Moore’s story to memorable music to inspire others to make a difference. Reagon shared these moving words in her introduction to the song: “We spend a lot of time tryin’ to stay this side of death, like we gonna make it somehow. You could really go for broke, you gonna die anyway, make a difference!”

In what ways do you feel like you have made a difference in your family, friendships, and the world? Whose example inspires you to try and make a difference?.

+ Pastor Virg

In What Ways are We Blind?

Our focus for this week, with Edward Hays' book, The Lenten Labyrinth, has been, "In what ways are we blind?" He encourages us to consider how we are spiritually blind to the ways of God in the world. Consider this humorous satire featuring the Reverend Tom Pittman and the Austin Lounge Lizards at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbvrRct-TXc. Visit there and then reflect on the following questions. Who are the folks about whom we would say, "Jesus loves me, but he can't stand you?" How does our behavior toward certain people, individuals or groups state this, even if we don't say it out loud?

Enter into God's Rest

This week on your Lenten journey, you will reflect on what makes you weary in life. Are you weary of seemingly unresolvable conflicts both personally and globally? Do you feel forlorn about your progress in the spiritual life? Lent is only two weeks old; are you perhaps already growing weary of it? Jesus rested at the well in Samaria when he felt weary and tired, isn't that permission for you to do the same? Without guilt and as a Lenten exercise, rest for a few hours this week. Perhaps you will meet someone like the Samaritan woman who questions you in such a way that you will discover a truth about yourself. Share with us what makes you weary. What was the result of your time of rest?

Battling Evil – Close to Home

In Thursday’s reading, Edward Hays challenges us to see that the disciples and in fact, even Jesus, aren’t that different from us – in facing many challenges, temptations and difficulties, yet even these aren’t reasons to avoid joining the battle against darkness. Yet, Hays says, Jesus did not call his disciples to go forth on crusades to battle distant evils. Rather he called them to face evil right in their midst. The first place to encounter darkness and evil – and the most dangerous place – is in your heart.

Now is the time for us to examine our hearts, to see what lies there and to challenge ourselves to small and large changes, so that we might be transformed. Hays calls us to consider in today’s reading, what reforms we might like to take. Pick one thing today that needs reform, change, transformation in your life. It can be small! Work on that change and be open to how that change brings deeper, unexpected results.

Have you ever made a positive change that resulted in much deeper and powerful transformation? Have you seen this kind of truth at work in our world?

Get Off the Bench

In today's reading for our Lenten Study, Edward Hays tells a story about a famous NFL quarterback, Fran Tarkenton. When he was a third-string college quarterback, he seized the moment by running onto the field. The first-string quarterback figured the coach had made a substitution, which the coach had not. Tarkenton called a play that went for a touchdown, with several more big plays following so that the team won. He got off the bench, and his actions made him a career!

Hays asks the question: What is the point when we cease waiting and jump up and do what needs to be done?

In reflecting on this, I think I tend to be the kind of person who jumps in to get things done, sometimes speaking or acting where some waiting would be better! (Of course, I do tend to wait on the things I would rather NOT do!!) In our faith lives there needs to be a balance between waiting on God, and acting in faith. How do we find that balance?

Do you tend to wait until things happen to you? Or do you tend to charge in and make things happen?

What Are You Doing?

In today’s reading for our Lenten Study, Edward Hays tells a story from the Middle Ages:

A person came to one of the great cathedrals that was being built and stopped at three stone masons who were carving away. The pilgrim asked them all the same question: “What are you doing?”

The first mason said, “Chipping stone, as you can see.” The second mason said, “I am making a living. I’m providing food and shelter for my family.” And the third mason said, “I am building a great cathedral!”

He then asks the questions: How do you view your life’s work: as part of building up a great cathedral – the church, the Body of Christ – or simply as a means of making a living? An important Lenten work is learning to see whatever work you do as being part of the great and divine design to re-create the world.

What about your work – how do you see what do you in your life (work, family, recreation, etc) as a part of building up the Body of Christ?

The Path of Love and the Path of Hate

The theme for this week’s Lenten study is “Where Am I Going?” Hays invites us into a reflection on our life and spiritual journeys, and what paths we take as we move along our journey. In today’s reflection for the first Monday in Lent, he invites us to consider this biblical guide for our journey: “You shall not bear hatred for your neighbor in your heart. Though you may have cause to reprove your neighbor, do not incur sin because of him or her. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against those of your own country. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am your God.” (Lev. 19:17) This guide was relayed by Moses to the people of God wandering in the desert.

Hays notes that two pathways are highlighted here. The pathway of hate and the pathway of love, and he invites reflection on which of the two roads – or alternating one to the other – we habitually travel. Hate is a strong word, and we may shy away from thinking that we follow the pathways of hate. But if we consider hate as disconnection from God, or following roads that lead away from the holy, we might find ourselves there more often. Do we follow the path of hate:

• When we push ourselves beyond our limits?
• When we are too busy to consider the consequences of our actions? (such as what we buy and our part in the global economy or the impacts of our living choices on creation)
• When we try to fix other people and their problems rather than listening with a caring manner of encouragement and support?

What are some of the ways that we follow the paths of hate?
Take some time to reflect and share your thoughts here. Or consider taking five minutes at the end of the day, to look back over the day reflecting on where your actions moved you along the path of love, or along the path of hate. Try not feeling guilty and be gentle with yourself, but simply observe your actions and thoughts and consider why you might have taken that road at that time.

The Lenten Labyrinth

We at Lebanon UMC are undertaking an All Church Lenten study utilizing the book "The Lenten Labyrinth: Daily Reflections for the Journey of Lent" by Edward Hays. Copies are available at the church, or order one yourself, and join us in the pilgrimage of Lent this year. Join with us as we open our hearts to God's leading on the journey! Regular posts will continue as we move through the season.

"Rejoice" Edward Hays begins the introduction of his book The Lenten Labyrinth. "Rejoice! You are about to begin a great adventure and a journey of transformation which holds the power to change - to radically enrich - your way of thinking, loving and believing." As the journey begins, consider these questions: What places in your life do you hope for a change? In what places do you fear change? What resources assist you in moving through change?

Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where theieves do not break in and steal. For where your trasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:20-21

A Life-Giving Christmas

Do you want this Christmas to be different?

To focus on the things that really matter, rather than just things?

This Christmas, experience authentic joy... joy that doesn't come with a price tag.

_________________________

"A life Giving Christmas... keepin' it real" is about finding a more meaningful way to celebrate this year, and finding hope for the New Year. We have opportunities for you to experience community in service and in spiritual reflection.

What I Really Want for Christmas?

HOPE... Next Year Things Will be Different!

PEACE... Strenght to Hold On

JOY... To Get me Trough the Tough Days

LOVE... Gotta Have It.

God's Ring Tone

You know how you can set a different ring tone for a certain caller on your cell phone? So you can identify your kids, or your spouse or someone important just by the sound the phone makes when they call. Ever wonder what God’s ring tone sounds like? At the New England Annual Conference meeting in June (a gathering of 1,000 Methodist pastors and church members from across New England) you could hear all sorts of God-like ring tones: “Oh when the Saints . .” or Handel’s “Ha-le-lu-jah!” or a variety of hip hop Christian groups. Or maybe God’s ring tone is something different altogether.

Recently, I had the opportunity to wait for someone. Since I am almost always late, this doesn’t happen all that often. I have two small children, and a whole congregation, not to mention a bit of the workaholic gene. This tends to make my life fast motion. Even though I try hard not to be, I am very often late! (Sorry to all those who have had to wait on me!) So here I was, waiting, and I was without my calendar, computer, or anything at all to do. Perhaps THIS is what God’s ring tone is like. Because this was a good reminder of me to pay attention and s-l-o-o-o-w down, to pray and remember God. Maybe God’s ring tone is what ever makes us stop to listen for God’s voice. Whatever breaks into our ordinary routine and shifts our focus to God.

Maybe it is a moment where the sun breaks through. Check out this great photo taken by Parker, one of our teenaged members, who mows the lawn each week, he noticed the beautiful sunset and how it reflected off the granite bench next to our labyrinth. God’s ring tone – causing a pause in the ordinary routine to notice the spectacular Creation! What moments, experiences, opportunities have you had to meet God today, this week?

~Pastor Virg Fryer

Meet the Church - A Tour

The best place to seek God is in a garden. You can dig for him there. ~George Bernard Shaw, The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God, 1932

Here is our main red door which it gives the title to this blog and newsletter. The history of the name began thanks to the collaboration of the United Methodist Women. The group created a contest to name the monthly newsletter.

The winner was one of the members of the church Marie Knapp who almost forgot what she had participated! She was quite surprised in the Sunday worship in late March, when her name was revealed being the winner. Congratulations Marie! (see her in the right side at her house as a host for a UMW lunch 2009).

This is the bell located facing the front of the church, everybody can see it walking or driving through the School Street.

Let's 'walk' into the Sanctuary. Every Sunday there is group of volunteers who make arrangements to the place before the service. Creativity count on this!

>>It is time to visit our Fellowship Hall on the right side, this is the place to gather after Sunday service. The Coffe Hour has the sense to join people to chat and share goodies prepared by church people. Also there are many outside groups who meet weekly, monthly and periodically. Every Friday the Listen Community Services provides the community dinner, people from Listen prepare the meal. The LUMC Kitchen Team is in charge the last Friday of the month.

Talking about the kitchen, on the right side is part of the huge and nice kitchen. In the photo is Dianne Langley (red) who is very proud of being part of the cook team.. ah! she cooks delicious! I can tell it... Her husband Al, is a good helper, and here I am... just checking the meal :) >>>

The Labyrinth is a walking path to discover our inner sacred space through meditation and reflection. A place that cannot be missed!

Here some seedlings are coming up in front of the three garden spots. Florence Burgess, a passionate gardener, and I are trying to do our best combining flowers according the color. She has grew some marigolds at home that I am transplanting according with my garden skills :)

:::: Although, sometimes I am making mistakes. A couple of weeks ago I have sprinkled basil seeds instead Baby's breath flower seeds ;). Anyways, edible gardens are the favorites nowadays.

Happy summer to all and see you!

~ Coralia

Lebanon United Methodist Church - NH

Spring tulips!

Hello and welcome to everyone!. Lebanon United Methodist Church of Lebanon, New Hampshire will be so pleased to update our church activities.

We will love to have you here regularly reading, writing your comments or just having fun with the digital era!

Rev. Virginia Fryer is our lovely Pastor who leads the church, she has a wonderful family, her husband Bryan and two cute daughters Abby and Kate, I love to call them "princesas". She is surronded by people who help and work hard for the community. In this picture Pastor Virg is during a Sunday worship in the Children's Time, time where the kids are participating making and answering questions.

On the left photo is Abby and myself.. yes! I am the onewho wrote this post. My name is Coralia Picardo and some people call me Laly. I am the church secretary working since 2007.