Dear U Park Family,
We’ve probably all thought of the perfect retort in a disagreement – two or three hours after the conversation is over. Or maybe we think of what we want to say, but we let the moment pass. Or now and again, we can’t resist that oh-so-perfect comeback that puts someone in their place. Our culture values the ability to whip out a funny insult on the spur of the moment, or to cut someone down to size with a clever command of relevant facts and arguments. Sometimes it feels good to do that. But at what cost?
This Sunday, I’ll continue the sermon series I’m calling “Finding Our Balance,” looking at the resources of our tradition for these troubled times. For centuries, Christians have felt called to speak out about issues that concern us. Some have even been martyred for doing so. That kind of courage is admirable, but it’s not the only way to approach controversy. This Sunday, I’ll be talking about the power of gracious action to speak for us. I hope you’ll join in worship, either in Wasser Chapel at 9:00 or our Sanctuary at 11:00. If you can’t be here in person, you can catch the 11:00 service live on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/UParkumcdenver) or later in the day on our YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/c/UniversityParkUMCDenver).
I hear there’s a football game this Sunday. In addition to the big game, our United Women in Faith have been sponsoring a “Souper Bowl” canned soup drive for the past few weeks. If you’d like to be part of this effort, just bring some cans of soup to the church this week or Sunday morning. All the cans we collect will be donated to the local hunger relief agency Metro Caring to be given out to people in need of food. Our food and supply drive for Metro Caring continues past this Sunday as well, and contributions of canned food, hygiene products, toilet paper, paper towels and egg cartons are always welcome.
This Sunday also marks our family Sunday School and Visitation Blast. All are welcome to join Bethany Hader Crabbs, our Children’s Ministry Director, in this fun way to live into our value of being an intergenerational church. I know that as a child, I was very lucky to be part of a church where lots of adults knew me and took an interest in me. Family Sunday School here at U Park helps provide that atmosphere for our church’s children.
The Visitation Blast is a fun event for families and individuals alike. Every few months, people from our congregation drop by the homes of church members who can’t easily get out. We bring cards from the church as well as little gifts – often pies or snacks and devotionals. For those who volunteer to help, it’s a way to get to know members of our church you might not otherwise meet, and to help reassure people that their church is thinking of them and praying for them. If you can help by delivering to a church member, you can pick up a card and treat at Family Sunday School or afterward in the lobby of the church this Sunday.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday, and to helping each other find our balance in this kind and supportive community.
Grace and Peace,
Andy