Cheatham Memorial September 2016 Worship!

August 27, 2016September 1, 2016 / Rev. Alan Van Hooser / Leave a comment

The theme for September is is “A Work in Progress” and the image is the cross. Yes, we have a cross in every sermon but these four message will give it more weight. Do our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness flow from the cross of Christ or just adorn our t-shirts? I am asking this of myself during quiet time. What amazing power the cross has in our everyday living….when we choose to access it. How do you do that? Come to worship and see. We will also explore prayers of blessing and host a two-week short course on prayer, September 15 and 22 at 6:30 PM. See cheathamumc.net for details

September 4, 2016: 16^th Sunday of Pentecost Jeremiah 18:1-11 “The Potter’s House”

We are all a work in progress. Even when life is under pressure, faith can build us even if circumstances are trying to get us down. The greater the pressure, the stronger the earthen vessel.

September 11, 2016: 17^th Sunday of Pentecost, remembrance of 9-11, 1 Timothy 1:12-17 “Strength for the Falls”

The promise of redemption if from Jesus himself. People of faith are strengthened for the everyday “falls” that inevitably come. Like physical fitness or a baby learning to walk, it is through our trials that we are strengthened in faith. This gift from the Christ is for all who believe and for all who don’t. We are all walking redemption’s path.

September 18, 2016: 18^th Sunday of Pentecost, Gideon’s Sunday with special offering. 1 Timothy 2:1-7 “Levelling Prayers”

In the prayer closet, kings and paupers are judged the same. This epistle is inviting us to seek God rather than asking God to seek us. How are we praying for our own spiritual formation? How are we praying for our political and church leaders in their life’s seeking of God?

September 25, 2016: 19th Sunday of Pentecost. Luke 17:5-10 “A starting place”

This service will be an old school revival Sunday and include our favorite “Methodist Roots” hymns in an upbeat and tradition filled worship experience! The vision of a victorious end is the start of all good journeys. Where is our starting place in the Christian life? The truth is that we have many starting placed in Christ. It is a journey of many steps. We don’t begin our life of salvation all mature and filled many answers. We start at the foot of the cross with the harsh reality that we are not finished yet, we continue with the present reality that we don’t journey along, and we live for the completion of our journey with eternity in Christ. That being said, how do we begin?

Coming Events: Charge Conference! Fall Festival on October 15 and a celebration of our fund raiser on October 16!

Summer Sermons! July & August 2016

June 30, 2016 / Rev. Alan Van Hooser / Leave a comment

Following is our Cheatham Memorial UMC sermon Planner for July and August 2016. Our church is open to anyone seeking to deepen their faith and take part in significant ministry as a way of life. Our Motto is “WELCOME HOME” and we know our congregation to be about these three things: Fist, our Mission: Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the World; second our Vision: We are Christ’s Love in Action: Following Christ, Serving Others, Unifying the Church. And finally, Our motivation: Loving God’s Word, Deepening the life of Prayer and developing ministering Skills. For more information on how we do that, click here and check out our activities on the main website.

July 3: 7th Sunday of Pentecost

Text: Psalm 33:6-17, Philippians 3:17-21 “God Country”

We live in the greatest nation with the greatest faith, the largest economy and the greatest technology in the history of the world. How did we get it and how do we keep it? Things seem pretty uncertain and we desperately need to look for this answer! Join us with a theological look at what it means to be a Christian in the USA today.

July 10: 8th Sunday of Pentecost

Luke 10:25-37 “The very first Lawyer Joke”

There are many lawyer jokes but only one that I know of in the Bible and it comes from one of the best known of all of Jesus’ parables. Which one? Look it up and see. Do you get the joke? How does your, mine and our faiths fit together?

July 17 Vacation Bible School Wrap Up Sunday

Luke 10:38-42 “Kids Remember What Grownups Forgot”

God speaks volumes through children. If you want to know God-Sized answers to God-Sized questions you must take on the manner of a child. What does that look like and how do I get it?

July 24 “Lawn Chair Worship Sunday”

Revival Theme. The text will be announces later for this morning of fun, barbecue and praise. Outside service at 9:00 AM followed by too much food and lots of music! See the main website for details.

July 31 Lawn Chair Sunday Rain out Day

Colossians 3:1-11 “You Find What You Look For”

August 7: Youth Service at 10:00 and Youth Rally at 2:00

Youth Speaker

August 14: Block Party Celebration

Hebrews 11”1-13 “A Love Song for the Vineyard”

I’m tired, where is the faith I need for today? The church is a fertile vineyard and Christ loves his church. Still, some days we fall short of Christ’s vision. The fruit of His vineyard is faith and faith is the seed where that fruit begins. We will discuss our every-day starting place to find and cast that faith for ourselves.

August 21: Back to School Consecration Sunday

Jeremiah 1:4-10 “Only a Child can Know”

We think of children as needing our teaching but often they are the example of faith for us grown-ups. Faith is supposed to grow in us and mature . Not knowing how the things of faith work is not an excuse. I our “not-Knowing” are the seeds of exciting spiritual formation. How do we build and plant that necessary faith?

August 28 15th Sunday after Pentecost

Hebrews 13:1-16 “Hospitality’s Gift”

Our church knows what hospitality looks like and knows that it is a FAITH BUILDER! We are very strong in opening our home to others. What do we get out of it? Is it ok if we get something out of it? We will discuss that gift that we get in return regardless of what our guests leave behind.

Coming Events: Gideon’s Sunday on September 18, Fall Festival on October 14 and a celebration service on October 15

Go to the main website!

What on Earth does Maundy Mean?

March 22, 2016March 23, 2016 / Rev. Alan Van Hooser / Leave a comment

FullSizeRender

Maundy Thursday (also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday, Sheer Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries) is a Holy Week tradition. Most Christians celebrate “Maundy” and we in the western church have ours on the Thursday before Easter. This a church term is from the latin word “Mandate” or commandment and speaks to Christ’s command to take care of the poor.

For the last 1000 years or so, the Church would have Maundy to wash the feet of the poor as an act of servanthood. This evolved into a service around the scripture’s story of Christ washing the feet of his disciples. Later was added the gift of Holy Communion, (or Eucharist) described at the last supper discourse. After that last supper, they sang a hymn and went into the garden to unknowingly wait for the crucifixion. We remember this in the silence of Saturday before the feast and joy of Resurrection morning.

What is truly represents is what the photograph shows-IT IS ABOUT WORK OF THE CHURCH. The sacraments, caring for people and worship are the work and craft of the Christian disciple. Holy Thursday is a work day in the highest sense of the Kingdom of God. Faith in Christ is not a possession, it is a calling a compulsion to be like Jesus. Maundy shows the privilege and responsibility to serve as the plain scriptural command of Jesus.

On this Holy week you are invited to attend this special service at 6:30 at our church, Cheatham Memorial UMC in Edgewood Texas. If you are not in our area, find your place in a faithful congregation to share a service with. Our website with the particulars is cheathamumc.net. Our table is open to all who claim the name of Christ and this service is open to all who simply want to worship as a sign of devotion to Him. Join us and experience the story beyond a mere reading. It may sound corny but Jesus is waiting for you here.

Blessings to you and may every week be Holy Week as you rejoice in the Risen Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.

click here for more details

Monday School: 1-16-15 Our “Spiritual Underwear” Final Week

November 18, 2015 / Rev. Alan Van Hooser / 1 Comment

The goal of this short study is two-fold: first to understand more of our BASIC Methodist beliefs, and second, how to better express our beliefs to others. We used the foundation of the Articles of Religion and the General Rules as a framework for our study. Just as Underwear is the foundation of our clothing, usually unseen, intimate, different preferences on different people and keeps the rest of our ensemble together, so are our theological doctrines .

You can read the one-page General Rules with us by clicking here.

You can read the 2- pages of the Articles of Religion with us by clicking here.

Let me begin with my thanks to our group. I rarely get to discuss theology at any depth and have never had as much fun as I have with YOU GUYS!

Methodists begin by teaching the method to growing into our theological understanding. we start with Scripture, use our God given brains to reason, reflect that with our Christian tradition and then translate into our living experience. Add to that the fact that we are wonderfully mad as Biological, Psychological, Social and Spiritual and we look for balance in all things as we discern and discuss the words about God that we use.

THE THEOLOGICAL BALANCING ACT

We discussed our assumptions, or better our deepest beliefs, and how they color our understanding of God. I shared mine, which are varied and admittedly overanalyzed. Things like my role as a pastor to a community and not a congregation, the Bible as a touchstone, connection to God and people, the sacraments as a source of amazing comfort , on an on. We encouraged to know our assumptions, non-negotiables and grow a willingness to be both “Critical and Constructive”. See page 78-89 of the Book of Discipline.

The articles give us a language of faith but it is up to us to make them personal. They are precisely written and intentionally placed in an order of importance. Everything flows from God, trinitarian in our understanding, but ONE GOD. We spent most of our time speaking of the sacraments.

The sacraments, specifically, Baptism and Holy Communion ( or the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist as you choose), are also a language of faith. They are a doing of the story of God as Creator, Jesus as prophet, priest, King and redeemer, and the Holy Spirit as the real worker in these powerful acts of faith. It is amazing how common touchable elements such as water, juice and bread can reach to the invisible part of ourselves and awaken our relationship with Christ.

We also discussed the five sacramental acts of worship that other Christians count as sacraments, namely-confirmation, penance, orders, matrimony, and extreme unction. They aren’t bad, just don’t carry the weight that the Baptism and Communion do.

Each of us had stories of a time where the sacraments helped us to make sense out of something or met a spiritual need. We had an “All Saint’s Sunday” a few weeks ago that was particularly powerful to me. Each of us had a different take of what name we use for God when we pray. Ultimately, the goal of any sacramental experience is to form our lives into a living Holy Communion.

The question was asked, “how do you do that”. This study must become more than words. The short answer is to “attend to the ordinances of the church”, whether that is worship, study, prayer or service, in such a way that God is made real to us personally. If God is that real to us personally then it will leak out into the lives of others.

I will not outline the 125 articles here but will point you to the link above and invite anyone of any denomination to look through them and discover your stance on the individual parts. Please don’t stop there though. Look at the whole of who God is and how overwhelming his love and grace is for you. Studying these different pieces is not meant to just tickle your ears but to open your heart to a deeper working and practical walk with Jesus!

All of this and we never discussed the organizational structure once. We will get to that on our next installment sometime after New Year’s

Next week we will take a November 23, 2015 off for the Thanksgiving holiday. Our new study will be announced soon. All are welcome to join in the study at any time on Mondays at 6:00. Everyone is welcome to add with a comment on the doctrinal statements below.

Click here to check out our main website!

Thank you Captain Underpants for adding a little humor to a serious subject.

Sermon Briefs: September 13, 2015, “They Won’t Know it ‘Till You Show It”

September 14, 2015September 14, 2015 / Rev. Alan Van Hooser / 1 Comment

This second of five sermons that explores the discernment of God’s will/vision and then making it our mission to do. Following God’s plan makes for a less anxious and healthy life as well as connecting us to eternity.

Passion is essential to knowing God’s Vision for our lives. We have to want it before we can know it or share it.

The Fisherman’s lesson….

I am a stick and earthworm sort of fisherman but found myself on the Walmart fishing aisle looking at plastic worms. Real fishing folks know that if they could talk a fish into the boat, there would be no fish out there to catch. There is always someone on the fishing aisle to talk to.

On this day a gentleman fishing had this passion to teach me the ways of plastic baits and he had to get out or it might cause him physical harm. He told of big fish and many adventures along with my need for 7 1/2 inch watermelon colored worms with a circle hooks. This was the answer to life’s questions and the way to slay the most elusive fish. He told of these magic worms with such passion that I was ready to chew on one just to share the experience.

In the back of my mind I thought that if I presented Christ with the passion that this fellow had for rubber worms, we would be short of parking spots and seats on Sunday. Passion is essential for mission. Too often Christians become Walmart talkers instead of Kingdom fishers. As Paul said ( 1 Corinthians 4:20) “For the Kingdom of God does not exist is talk but in power. Passion is a key ingredient to discernment. We are Christ’s love in Action and not Christ love in talking. Faith is learned by DOING!

Check out this worship video that reinforces the sermon: The Fishless fisherman’s society, courtesy of EZ Zwayne, Click Here

LESSONS FROM THE GOSPEL, Click here to follow my notes: John chapter 21:1-19

Jesus gave them coaching before they recognized him-“hey use the 7 1/2″ Watermelon Flip Tailed Worms!”THEY FOLLOWED AND PROSPERED-THIS WAS NOT ABOUT THE FISH BUT THE FISHERMEN
Peter was led by passion over the gunnels and into the lake. He wanted Jesus! The rest were left to row the boat-That takes passion too.
This fishing advice became advice for life. They were fishing for survival and not recreation. Follow Me.
Jesus didn’t send them to a conference or form a committee, he identified himself clearly and in him, defined the role of a disciple.
Jesus met them on the beach, where they were living the day-to-day
The Mission was that of Love and Nurture. Peter the bold, passionate and clumsy, was asked if he loved Jesus three times, and received his calling, first to love Jesus, then to feed and pastor Jesus’ people
Peter accepted this ordination fully knowing the danger and difficulty of his mission. His calling was simply, “Follow Me.”

SO WHAT? What do we do with all of this?

Jesus is meeting us where we are, to tell us we can handle life , to do what needs to be done. Follow Him. Do the Life in Christ with Passion! Want it!
Live a balance of study and action, inreach and outreach, and reflect our passion outside with a clear focus on Jesus’ direction
Don’t over think-JUMP IN, live by faith with grace enough to share

PUT YOUR FAITH INTO PRACTICE WITH THIS EXERCISE

Don’t complicate this Process. Talk to people God Brings your way.

Fish-Practice the power of letting someone speak for 2 minutes or more uninterrupted. Inhale each time you are tempted to speak.
Concentrate-listen for something spiritual to be said in this conversation
Know-You are a beloved child of the living God-God put you in this conversation.
Invite-JUMP IN! Tell them about your church family, and your faith. Bring them to church and sit with them
Lead by following-Don’t lecture them, tell of how Christ works in your life everyday. You grow when your show your passion. This may be loud and rowdy, but more likely it will be quiet and conversational.

Write a comment of this encounter and I will mail you a 7 1/2″ watermelon colored fishing worm! Yes, Really. Follow Jesus with passion. Who knows, You might change the world.

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16