Preparing for Sunday
Hebrews 10: 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 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.
Once again, I am reminded that the world is a scary place - and there are people and corporations and other organizations who work very hard to ensure that we are constantly scared. It isn’t a broad conspiracy - it is simply that fear is a great way to get people to give money, to watch television shows and Youtube videos, to listen to radio shows and podcasts, and to donate to causes - both political and “non-profits”.
The tit-for-tat between Israel and Iran this week is perhaps the most remarkable historical example of intelligent statesmanship I have seen. To recap what has happened: First, Israel blew up a house in Syria in which several prominent Iranian generals were located while they were advising Hezbollah, the Syrian and Lebanese group that is opposed to Israel and who regularly fires missiles into northern Israel. What would Iran do about this? After all, the attack was very public, and with the current war between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip, much of the Middle East public are demanding that someone stop Israel’s revenge for the Oct 7 attacks which killed 1200 Israelis. Surely Iran would go all out to hit Israel.
The next step is that Iran fired over 300 missiles and drones into Israel, for the first time retaliating directly on Israel. (Normally, Iran uses Hezbollah or some other group to do the dirty work.) All but a couple of the missiles were shot down by Israel, Jordan, Britain, and American air defenses. Even Saudi Arabia said that they helped in the defense of Israel. The effect was that Israel looked strong - and Iran’s attack looked half-hearted. And it was pointed out that Iran could have attacked with thousands of missiles and drones. Iran was saying to their public, “We attacked them with a big attack”. But they were also saying to the Israeli’s “We could have attacked you much harder, but instead of an all-out fight, lets just trade a couple of punches and go home.” But still, the Israeli public demanded a counter-strike.
So Israel did a counter-strike. Did they send F-35 or other fighters to bomb Iran? Did they send hundreds of drones and missiles from Israel? No. Apparently, they launched a handful of drones from sites INSIDE Iran to attack a handful of secondary targets. These attacks were apparently launched by Israeli spies who have been in place in Iran for years. It was a way saying, “We have people who could really destroy you, but we also would like to stop this fight now” while telling the Israeli public, “We won’t tolerate attacks.”
Will there be another round of attacks? I don’t know, but things seem to be settling down. But to me it was a reminder that the men who lead the two countries are aware of the dangers of all-out war. Both sides have told the other side, “Don’t mess with us.” Both sides have kept their honor.
Since the attack on Pearl Harbor, the American public has come to think of the “right way” to fight wars as all-out, destroy them totally, “you mess with us and we’ll destroy you”. We ignore the fact that throughout history, most wars that were fought were intentionally limited in scope, because most leaders recognize that wars are often accidental and need to be stopped before they become widespread.
And this idea of all-out war has spread into our ordinary discussions. This is why gang-based feuds continue, why fistfights turn into knife fights and knife fights turn into gun fights. On Facebook, this is why we see fights escalate and end up with people blocking friends after an exchange of twenty posts, back-and-forth.
But, as the old grandmotherly wisdom says, “It takes two to fight.” When you disagree with someone, step back and cool off for a minute. Remember that there are sound and good reasons to keep the other person as a friend, and it isn’t necessary to grind them into the ground with words. And let God handle any need for revenge, while we turn back to the person with whom we argue and “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” For when we continue to work together, we can accomplish much good in this world.
Prayer Requests
While we watch the back-and-forth on the world stage, including the arguments in Washington, we have several items we need to pray for.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, as we are commanded in Psalm 122.
Pray for the people in war zones in Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, and Russia. Pray that many people will come to know the love of Christ.
Pray over the next two weeks for the United Methodist General Conference, being held in Charlotte, April 23 through May 3. Pray that there will be peace and that God’s will shall be accomplished.
Personal
Saundra and I visited her brother David in Knoxville this week. David appears to be strengthening, and is expected to soon be transferred from the hospital to a rehab center. We traveled down by way of Huntington, I-64, and I-75 to beautiful weather on Thursday, and we’re able to sit with David for a couple hours Thursday evening and Friday morning. We came home on Friday, stopped in Elizabethton to see our granddaughter Lexi, and then drove up Rt 23/Rt 119 and arrived home late Friday, with a brief stop at the best Belk’s department store we know in Ft Henry Mall in Kingsport, where they were having a buy one, get two free sale.
Along the way, we got to eat at a couple of our favorite Southern restaurants - Sonny’s BBQ, and Zaxby’s, both of which we loved when we lived in Atlanta. (Now to find a Checker’s burgers…) What’s your favorite Southern chain?
Announcements
This evening (April 20), ya’ll are invited to Vaught Chapel’s Community Dinner, held at the church at 5 pm, which is located 9 miles each of I-79 on Rt 47, just past the Dollar General on the left in Leachtown. No charge - hope to see ya there!
This week, you can bring items for the Spring Sale to Cedar Grove church. The sale will be Thursday May 2, 8 am to 5 pm, and Friday May 3, 8 am to 6 pm. In addition to bags of recycled clothing, books, and other valuable items, there will be hots dogs, desserts, and drinks for sale.
Weekly Schedule
· Sundays, 9:00 AM – Worship at Vaught Chapel with Facebook Live. Sunday School follows
· Sundays, 9:00 AM – Radio broadcast of previous week’s sermon, WVVV-FM 96.9 FM. Also available on Tune-in App and in emailed podcast.
· Sundays, 9:30 AM – Sunday School at Cedar Grove UMC
· Sundays, 10:30 AM – Worship at Cedar Grove UMC with Facebook Live.
· Sundays, 2:00 PM – Worship at Cedar Grove Assisted Living (Except 3rd Sundays)
· Sundays, 6:00 PM - Questions and Answers with light meal in Fellowship Hall
· Mondays, 7:00 PM - Help & Hope - Support Group for parents of addicts at Cedar Grove UMC
· Wednesdays, 7:00 PM – Bible Study and Discussion at Cedar Grove UMC
Monthly Meetings
· 1st Tuesday, 9:00 AM – Breakfast at Cheryl’s, all welcome
· 1st Tuesday, 7:00 PM – Amateur Radio Club Meeting, Cedar Grove UMC
· 2nd Thursdays, 12:30 PM – United Methodist Women, Cedar Grove UMC
· 3rd Mondays, 10:00 AM – CEOS Service Group, Cedar Grove UMC
· 3rd Thursdays, 6:00 PM – CEOS Group, Vaught Chapel
· 4th Monday, 7:00 PM, Odd -numbered months – Administrative Council, Vaught Chapel
· Last Tuesday, 6:30 PM – Finance Committee, Cedar Grove
· Last Tuesday, 7:00 PM – Administrative Council, Cedar Grove
· 4th Thursday, - Gideon’s, Cedar Grove – See Brooks Layman for details
Sermon
“Becoming Bold” is the sermon this week. How and why did Peter turn from being the sneaking coward who denied Jesus three times after Jesus’ arrest to become a bold leader of the early church? How can we and our children be bold and accomplish good?
Readings
First Reading – Acts 4:5-12 - Peter tells the council about Jesus
Psalm – Psalm 23 - Jesus provides for me
Epistle – 1 John 3:16-24 - How we know He loves us
Gospel – John 10:11-18 - Jesus is the Good Shepherd
Songs
Warmup Song “Fear is a Liar” SCREEN
Vaught – “O For a Thousand Tongues to sing” UMH 57
Praise Song: – “Shine, Jesus, Shine” Screen
Hymn: “God of Grace and God of Glory” UMH 577
Vaught – “Gentle Shepherd” Blue 240
Hymn: “We Shall Overcome” UMH 533
Vaught “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead us” Green 480
Closing Hymn – “Nothing but the Blood” UMH 362
Vaught – “Go Ye into all the world” Green 441