August 29th, 2010
Wow! Where has summer disappeared to? Signs of fall are starting to appear everywhere. Buhler Frolic is only about a month away. October 2nd.
We will be busy between now and then. There are lots of events planned for that day in Buhler. We will start the day off with the Fun/Run event. a 5K run or a 1 mile run/walk. We are excited that we are able to host this event along with the Buhler Wellness Committee. All our proceeds will go towards the purchase of new play ground equipment for the Buhler Park. That too is exciting. So come to Buhler that day Oct 2nd and join in our fun and celebration. God is good all the time!
Pastor Becky
August 7, 2010
Wow! It has been a long time since I last wrote on this blog! I have been very busy with all sorts of things. Moving my mother-in-law back to Kansas, having Bradley come to visit for 5 days, spending time with Brock and Chase, taking a new CLM class on line, etc. The list gets longer.
The important thing is I have been trying to de-clutter. God prefers us to be ready for service and stuff takes up too much time. It is an on going
battle one which I have not won yet, but I am trying. I really need about four extra hours a day! Remember we cannot take our stuff with us when God calls us home. So why not share somethings now before we are forced to part with them.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Becky
May 1, 2010
This week we will explore how God speaks to us. In Acts 11, Peter is praying and is visited by a vision and a voice. The voice rebukes Peter for calling the animals in his vision unclean. The voice tells Peter that "what God has made clean he must not call profane." The voice was really telling Peter that he was about to go to visit with some Gentiles and he was to witness and instruct the Gospel to them and guess what? He might just have to eat their food while he stayed with them. Sometimes God requires us to do things that make us uncomfortable or are out of character for us.
Now days, we live is a busy, noisy world. We hardly ever have the TV or radio turned off. It is in the silence that God speaks to us, when we pray and listen to his word speak to us when we are one on one with God. Sometimes he speaks to us through other people, in the singing of hymns or even in our dreams. I hope this week you will be able to turn off the noise and hear the quiet and listen to God speaking to your heart.
Blessings,
Pastor Becky Stark
April 24, 2010
Spring is here and a few April showers which are a blessing. We are a little dry here in Buhler Kansas. This week we will look at the passage in John 10 about the Good Shepherd. We all know that a shepherd is a person who takes care of sheep. Being a shepherd is or was in Biblical times an ordinary occupation. It was not a high paying job my any means. However, it is a job of responsibility and loyalty and dependability. It also is a job of sacrifice. Jesus is not the only shepherd mentioned in the Bible.
Able is the first, Genesis 4:2. The sons of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob herded sheep; and Rachel was a shepherdess; and David and Moses were also shepherds. If they could talk to us today, I wonder what they would tell us about being shepherds? Perhaps there are qualities that we could use today that they used to heard their sheep. Leadership comes to mind, and that is not an easy quality to have. Perhaps we should all be praying for our leaders (leaders of every kind) that they are able to discern the best for their flocks.
Blessings,
Pastor Becky Stark
April 13, 2010
What a busy spring! The season of Easter is rushing by! This being tax week, most are hoping it does rush by. However, the scriptures instruct us on this subject. Matthew 22:15-22 is very clear on the fact that we are to pay our taxes. What a privilege we have to be able to pay our taxes. Enough on taxes!!!
This Sunday we will look at the redemption of Peter, along with a few others in the Bible. We will celebrate communion and our redemption as well. Watch this week for the renewal of the earth as spring unfolds before our very eyes. This past week, I have been fortunate to see two new baby goats and a new foal. Newness is everywhere we look, in the trees and blooming flowers and the song of the birds. Yes, even in the wind!
I hope to see you this Sunday as we learn about Jesus’ forgiveness of Peter.
Blessings,
Pastor Becky
April 1, 2010
Easter is almost here. This Sunday we will celebrate the risen Christ! We will sing hymns of praise and celebration. We will acknowledge that Jesus Christ died for the forgiveness of our sins. And that when we acknowledge this and profess that he is our Lord, our God, our sins are forgiven. Then the Holy Spirit will dwell in our hearts and help us to sin no more and give us strength and guidance. Heavenly Father, we give you thanks this day for your most generous gift of Jesus Christ. Amen
March 27, 2010
Tomorrow is Palm Sunday. The scripture passage that is associated with Palm Sunday is Luke 19:28-40. It is called “Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.” We will have palm branches for the people to wave tomorrow as we sing the hymns. Perhaps we will lay them on the altar and the floor in symbolism to the palm branches that were waved at Jesus as he rode the donkey through the streets of Jerusalem. The multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the king, who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” (NRSV)
Childrens time tomorrow will be about a “Rock Concert.” Some of the Pharisees in the crown said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” “He answered. “I will tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.” (NRSV) Nothing is impossible for our God. If he had wanted the stones to sing and shout out they would have gladly done his bidding as Jesus rode by. How willing are we as his chosen people to do his bidding?
Pastor Rebecca Stark
March 19, 2010
This week our Scripture Lesson comes from Philippians 3:4b-14. Saul was sought out by Jesus because he was persecuting the early church. After his transformation, his name became Paul. Saul had it all only to lose it all for Christ. You may read this story in Acts chapter 9. Paul wrote lots of letters to the new believers of his time. Spending time in prison, this was his way of staying in touch with the new churches in the town and villages he had visited. He was always joyful, thankful and encouraging to the people. He wanted them to put away their harmful ways and to always have the best interest of others and to remember that Christ died for their sins. May the grace and peace of Christ be with you today! -- Pastor Rebecca Stark
March 9, 2010
The Scripture Lesson for this Sunday comes from Luke 15:1-3, 11b-31, the story of the “Prodigal Son.” Most of us are familiar with this story from Luke. However, I challenge you to look at it from all perspectives; from the father’s heart, the older brother’s eyes and the younger son’s soul. I’m sorry that I cannot give away my sermon at this time. Perhaps you will come to Buhler United Methodist and worship with us at 10:30 AM. At that time you will hear which path I chose to preach.
I will leave you with these words from Psalm 32. Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. …… Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
The Psalmist instructs us to confess our sins and be forgiven, trust that God loves you and be glad. Jesus offers to us all his grace. ----Pastor Rebecca Stark