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In this edition:
Dear Beloveds,
As I write this note, 2024 is about to close out, and by the time you read it, 2025 will be here. One year held so much, in so many different ways, for all of us, while the year ahead greets us with traditions of clean slates, resolving to do or be better, maybe in ways that look nothing like what we've just gone through. There was a time when I made resolutions each new year, but I also didn't understand grace and therefore didn't give myself much when it came to keeping those resolutions—or not. Instead, I pushed too hard and was too hard on myself, whether I did the things or not. Rather than making resolutions per se, I now mentally extend an invitation to myself to be open to new opportunities and experiences, along with giving myself permission to set aside what doesn't feed my spirit. The key, I've learned, is to center grace in all that we do.
If you are heading into this new year with the hope and intent of "being better," that's absolutely great. And yet, please allow me to remind you that you are already enough as it is. God has called you and claimed you exactly as you are. By all means, be open to what may come, do what gives your spirit life, or strengthens your connection with God, but also remember the truth of who you already are in Christ Jesus. It is grace that offers us opportunities to grow in love and service without dragging us down if we do not. Grace simply asks that we let it be at work in us and in the world.
As I think of each of you, I am reminded of the ways I see you growing—sometimes in leaps and bounds, and at others, in seemingly small ways that have tremendous impact. Several in our community have gone on to join the great cloud of witnesses this year, and we've welcomed new faces into our community. We're watching the children grow up before our very eyes, and others of us are in the midst of some significant life changes. I am especially mindful of medical challenges for a few of our church family, and I hope you will join me in saying a prayer for complete and quick healing for them in these upcoming days.
I am hopeful about the ways God's Spirit shows up in the coming days, weeks, and months—not only in each of you, in me, and in our community, but also beyond the current physical and communal confines that are Livingston UMC. I expect there to be a tremendous need for God's Spirit to show up and for us to embody grace and mercy—and perhaps just as importantly, justice, for all those who Jesus loves. The year will no doubt be full of challenges, and there will also be good and beautiful things happening all around us. Let us grasp onto every opportunity to be the visible, tangible, very active presence of God to all we will meet in the next 365 days (and beyond)!
With love,
Pastor Angie
A New Year's Resolution from Your Lay Leader
I was in my early 20s, visiting my father in Washington D.C. My father could genuinely be described as a community activist in a really tough neighborhood. He was regularly active in his neighborhood church. Among other things, my Dad coached a boys' hardball and a girls' softball team. He was a member of a number of community organizations.
One afternoon he told me he needed my help. He was running for office in one of those organizations and had double-booked himself. He needed me to represent him this evening because they were having an election, and he was running for office. I was to be his proxy. That is all he told me. So, I went and sat through the business meeting. The chairperson then announced they were going to start the voting. However, before we cast our vote, he wanted each candidate to stand and make a few remarks.
My father didn't mention that I would have to speak. I had no idea what to say. I was suddenly so angry with him for putting me in this very awkward position. When it was my turn, I stood and made some rambling statements. They could fairly be described as nonsense and gibberish. Then we voted.
When I got home, he cheerfully asked, "How did it go?" Angrily I told him, "I didn't know what to say. It was very awkward. I rambled on about nothing, and then we voted." He calmly asked if he had won. I shouted at him, "Yes you won, but, but..." Then he said, "Let me get this straight. You showed up, you stood up, you spoke up when you really didn't have anything meaningful to say, the vote was taken, and I won?" I said, "Yes sir that's exactly what happened." He said, "Congratulations. You just did what most politicians do on a daily basis. They show up, say nothing of importance, and then they ask for your vote. You just participated in a time-honored tradition. The only that didn't happen is that nobody asked you for a contribution."
The reason I tell you this story is that it represents reality in the life of any organization. Ten percent of the members show up and do 90% of the work. Most folks are happy to let others put in the time and do the work. My father described it as the "Let George do it syndrome," where "George" represented anybody but me. There is the underlying assumption that somehow, some way, someone will be there to take care of anything that needs to be done to keep the church's doors open.
He went on to say, and I am paraphrasing for our context, that there are two challenges that accompany that attitude. One is that you often don't have enough workers to engage in the behind-the-scenes activity that it takes to keep Livingston functioning, doing the things that it takes to keep the church running, relevant, and useful. The second thing that occurs is that 90% of the decisions end up being made by 10% of the congregation. We need everyone's input to become the best church we can be. Livingston is no different from any other organization. We are fortunate to have a few congregants who regularly give of their time and their talents. Their efforts make it possible for all of us to show up on Sundays, sit in the pews, and get our souls fed. We have cookies, coffee, and juice, and occasionally some of Sue L's unrivaled, world-famous brownies. We engage in light banter and then go home until next Sunday.
Today, I am here to encourage you, to ask you, to beseech you, to not only partake in the fruits of the church, the benefits we get every Sunday, but to also be a part of the very fabric of Livingston. I can promise you that there are no committees that require any special talents or education. Nor are there any enormous amounts of time that are required. The English playwright and poet John Heywood (1497-1580) is credited with saying, "many hands make light work."
When most of us say "the Church," we are talking about God, Jesus, the Bible, and the apostles. It is all that and more. We are the Church. Fellowship and building relationships are part of the spiritual journey. The most prominent Bible verse encouraging corporate worship is Hebrews 10:25, which states "Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another" - emphasizing the importance of gathering together as a community to worship God.
I invite you to worship, sing, fellowship, get involved, and join in the work of building the kingdom of God.
Let's not be George!
Buzz Thomas
Winter Bible Study
Our next formal study will begin on Saturday, January 18, and continue until Saturday, March 1.
We will be utilizing the book Context by Josh Scott. The book is available on Amazon Kindle or can be ordered from your favorite independent bookseller such as Gramercy Books in Bexley.
Our Upcoming Sermon Series
Based on the book Context: Putting Scripture in Its Place, this sermon series looks at verses we know by heart but may not know the people, places, and times that give them meaning. Over these six weeks, we will delve into these well-known Scripture verses, exploring their true meanings by examining them in their original biblical context. Through this process, we will uncover fresh and enlightening interpretations that are often missed when these Scriptures are taken out of context.
New Member Class
If you have been considering joining Livingston UMC as a member, please plan to stay after Worship on Sunday, January 26, 2025, for our New Member Class. This time will offer insight into United Methodist history, theology, and what it means to be a United Methodist.
It's Not Too Late to Join the Choir!
Dear Livingston Church Family,
We are excited to announce the start of our new church choir season! Whether you’re a returning member or interested in joining for the first time, we welcome all voices and all ages to come and be a part of our choir.
Rehearsals will take place every Wednesday evening from 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together in fellowship and praise as we prepare to lead our congregation in worship through music.
No prior experience is necessary—just bring a willing heart and a love for singing! If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact Tim Brizendine at gobucksbriz07@gmail.com or (614) 360-8376.
We look forward to lifting our voices together in joyful praise!
Blessings,
Tim Brizendine
Music Director
Service Opportunities
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Serve each month at Rosemary's Cupboard Food Pantry! This month, guest service dates are Tuesday, Jan. 21, Thursday, Jan. 23, and Saturday, Jan. 25. | Volunteers are always welcome to help the Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio sort and label medications. Call to arrange a time! | Our friends at Village Connections would love to welcome you to their corps of volunteers who make their mission possible! |
LUMC Swag
We now have an LUMC Swag Shop through online print-on-demand company Spreadshop. With the button below, you'll be able to purchase clothing, bags, and mugs that show the world your commitment to treating others with kindness AND to your LUMC family!
Sign Up for Altar Flowers
We know that many times when you choose to provide flowers to decorate the altar, there is a special person or occasion that spurs your choice of that date. So next time you provide Altar flowers, if you'd like to share why, please do! We'll include your dedication in the bulletin and in the slides that are displayed on Sunday morning.
Please email Jane at lumc@livingstonchurch.org by Tuesday afternoon with your dedication so that she can add it to the bulletins, which are printed on Thursdays.
To support our ministries, Livingston United Methodist Church depends on the financial support of members and friends such as you. You may drop off or mail your offering to the church, or click below to give online.
Newsletter Deadline
We welcome informational articles from our community. Please send monthly newsletter submissions by the end of the day on the 22nd of this month to info@livingstonchurch.org. We do not publish advertisements. We reserve the right to edit articles.
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