I often speak of the Union Family when referring to our church. Never was that phrase truer than these past few days. You lived as family as you prayed, hugged, cried, visited, and brought food to the Elsner family even as your own hearts were breaking over the loss of their beloved Sam. On Sunday, those leading in worship stepped into difficult roles and led the service with grace. I am especially grateful to Alan Mace who preached in my absence, offering a much need word of comfort.
What a blessing to be a part of the Union Family.
July 1
Although I was not here at the time, one of the more beautiful stories I have heard about those days leading up to groundbreaking on the new building, has to do with discussions on the purpose of what was to be built. Why are we doing this? Clearly, there was a need for a better and more accessible Fellowship Hall and Gathering/Meeting Space. But over and over, I heard the refrain, “We want to be a church that offers our building to community groups.”
What a beautiful vision that was and continues to be. Did you know that every month our building is being used by more and more community groups? I would like to share some of them with you. The month of June is a wonderful example. The first week, we hosted Union’s Vacation Bible School. The second week, we hosted an annual Girl Scout Day Camp, with around 40 girls, complete with an overnight in our building by a smaller group. The third week, it was our time to again be the Host Congregation for Interfaith Hospitality Network, as we welcomed three families to our facility, providing them a safe and loving place to live.
Interspersed among these larger events, we are hosting a new group, a local Quilters Guild that will be meeting every first Saturday morning of each month. We also welcome the monthly meeting of Woodmen of the World, as well as periodic Lion’s Club events, and community luncheons. All of this is in addition to the many ministry events that are a part of our own church life. Our building is a busy place, and this is how it should be.
It is such a joy to share ministry with you as we continue to support the greater community. Union is truly living out Jesus’ commandment from John 13:34: I’m giving you a new commandment…to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.
June 27
A study released on October 8, 2013, confirms the importance of human touch to healthy brain development. Researchers in the UK found that loving touch, characterized by a slow caress or gentle stroking plays a big part in creating and sustaining a healthy sense of self. Much like the instinct to lovingly pet an animal, gently touching another person is a reflexive gesture that happens automatically in healthy, loving relationships between a parent and a child, romantic partners, and affectionate close friends. We all know from first-hand experience that being touched makes us feel safe and comfortable in our environment.
This Sunday, we will explore the importance of touch through two incidents in the life and ministry of Jesus. In Mark 5:21-43, we will hear the stories of how Jesus healed two women through touch – the daughter of Jairus, and a woman who is known simply as the woman with the flow of blood. I hope to see you as we learn from The Story of Two Touches.
-Pastor Jane
June 20
This week’s Midweek offers me a chance to comment on several things.
I am grateful to all of you and your comments about last Sunday’s sermon. If you missed it, you can access it at www.unionchristianchurch.net/sermons. Look for the title: Reading ALL of God’s Word, Romans 13. As I have heard from several of you this week, you have expressed a desire to learn more about how to read the Bible and what supplementary materials might be helpful as you learn from God’s word. Over the next few weeks and months we will be talking further about this.
Have you noticed the new quilt on the sofa in the Gathering Space? This is a gift from the Big Springs Quilt Guild – a local group who has begun meeting in our Fellowship Hall once a month. The quilt was constructed by them and is a beautiful addition to our space. Did you know that we host other community groups in our building – Woodmen of the World, Girl Scout Day Camp, Interfaith Hospitality Network families, and various birthday parties and showers. I am thankful for your investment in our community through our building.
This Sunday will be a very special day at Union. It is the last Sunday of the 2017-2018 church year. During worship we will recognize and give thanks for those who have been church leaders this past year and will install new Elders, Deacons, and Church Council leadership for 2018-2019. Following worship, we will move into the Fellowship Hall for our Annual Church Family Meeting. We will begin by sharing a covered dish meal together, followed by a time where different leadership groups will report on their work this year. We will also share the good news of our various ministries and ministry partners. God has truly been working through the people of Union and we will celebrate all of God’s goodness together. I hope you will join us.
-Pastor Jane
June 13
This Sunday, as we continue in the sermon series based on Vacation Bible School themes from this summer, we find ourselves in an unusual place. Using scripture that is most often used during Holy Week, we will explore Luke 23:32-43, a story of Jesus speaking to the two men who were crucified with him. One of the men acknowledges that the punishment he is enduring fits the crimes he has committed. He understands the penalty for his sin and then says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” When You Do Wrong…Jesus Rescues. Jesus’ response – “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” No matter what the man has done, Jesus is there to rescue.
It is the same for each of us. We all do wrong. We all sin. But sin doesn’t have to defeat us. Sin doesn’t have to get us down and hold us there, because we have this promise that Jesus is there to pull us out of our wrongdoing, out of our sin. All we have to do is ask him to help us, just like the man on the cross did. Will you hold on to this truth this week? It is the most important one. When You Do Wrong…Jesus Rescues.
-Pastor Jane
June 6
We are in the midst of a wonderful week of Vacation Bible School. I am so grateful to everyone who has been involved – from those who worked ahead of time getting our decorations and set ready for the week; to those teachers and volunteers who are here every night, showing Jesus’ love to all the children; to the college students who are volunteering their evenings to help; to every Union member who has prayed for this week. Thank you!!
This Sunday, we will continue with the third of our Vacation Bible School theme sermons, as we dig into a story from Acts 27. The Apostle Paul is on a ship when a tremendous storm arrives. For days the crew battles the storm, losing all their cargo, and living each day in fear. Using this story as our backdrop, this Sunday we will explore the promise, When You Struggle…Jesus Rescues.
-Pastor Jane
June 1
As June begins, we are fully in Vacation Bible School mode at Union. The stage is set, the rooms are decorated, and the teachers are ready. Our theme this year is Shipwrecked: Rescued By Jesus.” As you can imagine, decorating the church to look like a deserted island has been so much fun. Each year, VBS themes and decorations are a simple way to help the children visualize the Biblical message. This year, the simple message is, Jesus is always with us and will rescue us when times get stormy.
This is an important lesson that goes beyond children. Teenagers and adults of all ages also experience stormy seas in our lives. Each day during VBS, the children will explore a different theme and learn that no matter what – Jesus will be there – walking beside them as they navigate hard times. We all need to hear that same lesson, so each Sunday during the month of June, I will be preaching from the daily VBS themes. We will hear stories of what to do when we are lost or lonely, what to do when we worry, what to do when we struggle, what to do when we do wrong, and what to do when we feel powerless.
I want to encourage you to come each Sunday ready to learn from the stories of Jesus. Take a few minutes each week and read the scripture passage before coming. It will help prepare you for what you will hear and will guide you as you experience each of these life dilemmas. The good news - Jesus Rescues.
May 27 - When We Are Lost or Lonely (Luke 15)
June 3 - When We Worry (Luke 10:38-42)
June 10 - When We Struggle (Matthew 26:36-56)
June 17 - When We Do Wrong (Luke 23:26-24:12)
June 24 - When We Are Powerless (Acts 3:1-26)
May 30
For about six weeks, we have been talking about Vacation Bible School. You have taken flyers and postcards to friends and relatives. Those same flyers were placed in every BBQ order in April. We have placed Facebook Ads and done a mass mailing to neighborhoods around us. Decorations have begun and planning by the teachers is well underway. We are ready!
I would like to ask you to begin praying for this important week. We will meet from Sunday, June 3-Thursday June 7. Each night children will gather to hear stories of how Jesus is always with them – rescuing them when they are lost or lonely, when they worry, when they struggle, when they do wrong, and when they are powerless. This is an important lesson for all of us. Will you pray with me for these children – that they may clearly hear the story of Jesus? Will you pray for the teachers – that they will have the stamina they need and that God will guide them as they share the good news with the children that are here?
Jesus Rescues! What an important truth to remember!
-Pastor Jane
May 23
My dear church family –
I can’t thank you enough for the unexpected birthday celebration yesterday during worship. Celebrating both my birthday and my 4th anniversary of becoming your pastor made it such a joyful day. Thank you for you continued prayers as we serve Jesus together at Union.
Vacation Bible School is just around the corner! On Sunday an excited group gathered to begin constructing the props and decorations that make Vacation Bible School so special. Over the next few weeks, you will begin seeing them in places around the church. I hope you will be thinking about children you know that could benefit with a week of VBS. Perhaps neighbors or grandchildren would love sharing this week with us. Come and join us as we are Shipwrecked together and as we learn that no matter what, Jesus Rescues!
-Pastor Jane
May 16
Vacation Bible School is just around the corner. In two and a half weeks, we will welcome children to our building for the best week of the summer! This year our theme is Shipwrecked. We will use this image to guide the children toward an understanding that when life is a mess – Jesus Rescues. Whether you are lonely, whether you worry, when you struggle, when you do wrong, and when you are powerless – Jesus is there to rescue you. I am so excited about this theme and ask you to begin praying for the children who will be here and all the leaders who will be walking will them during the week.
This Sunday we need your help. Immediately after worship, we will gather in the Fellowship Hall for a quick lunch and then move into groups to begin building the set and decorations for the week. We will need men and women, youth and children to help as we build a Tiki Hut and a waterfall. There is some construction involved, as well as smaller decorations to create. If you are able, please plan to come and help this Sunday.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we explore Jesus’ final I AM statement – I AM the Vine from John 15:1-8.
-Pastor Jane
May 9
Have you looked in the Fellowship Hall recently? We have a lovely addition I want to tell you about.
Several years ago, Union’s Tuesday morning Craft Group, led by Joyce Beckwith, began creating new Chrismons for the Chrismon tree that graces our sanctuary each Advent. These have a styrofoam base and are covered with pearls, sequins, and jewels in colors of gold and white. Each year they are placed on the tree alongside those that were made in earlier years. These different Chrismons tell the history of the church and are a reminder not only of the Christ Child, but of those saints that have been a part of Union’s history.
This past year the Craft Group took on another task. They have created large Chrismons that are now framed and hanging in the Fellowship Hall. Each one has the name of the Chrismon and a description of its important meaning. I would like to encourage you to take the time and walk around the room – looking at each one and reading about its important meaning for our Christian faith. The word Chrismon comes from the words Christ-monogram. I hope you can learn more about the monograms of Jesus and our faith that grace these walls.
-Pastor Jane
May 2
In 1952, a new holiday was born – National Secretaries’ Day. Over the next few decades, the name changed several times, and it is now called Administrative Professionals’ Day - a day to recognize and honor those who carry the heavy load of administration for organizations like ours. This day is observed the last Wednesday of April each year, and this year that day fell just before Union’s Barbecue. As such, it was overlooked by me and I am so sorry for that!!
Nickie Pearson is Union’s Administrative Assistant and without her, the church would be severely limited in our ministry and mission. She greets those that drop by daily with a smile, produces the bulletin, Midweek, and the monthly newsletter, handles the church ministry software that includes our entire financial system, as well as personal profile changes. Every week, she ministers beautifully with those who come seeking benevolence help, guiding them toward other agencies that can also help, offering them a listening ear, and praying with them. She is the office “point person” for every committee and group, such as Elders and Church Council. She guides our advertising efforts for larger events, posts the sermon and manages the church website, and the list goes on and on.
I am so very grateful for the opportunity to work every day with Nickie. She is a jewel! She makes me a better minister and I am honored to be able to call her my friend. I hope you will take the opportunity to express your gratitude to Nickie this week.
Happy Administrative Professionals’ Day, Nickie – One Week Late!! You are loved.
-Pastor Jane
May 1
I am writing this on Friday morning of Barbecue weekend –Union’s 81st. For all these years, the saints of Union have gathered together for a packed 36 hours to create the best barbecue in Georgia. Beside the finished products of chicken, pork barbecue, and hash—a more important product comes out of these hours of hard, back-breaking work. In the midst of the fire building, pot hauling, meat grinding, hash stirring, sop making, Fellowship Hall set up, car parking, and meat picking, comes an even greater product than the sum of all the parts.
That product is community. Of course, we produce the barbecue for the greater community, but what I have found after my own four years of participation, is the loving community spirit among the Union family that occurs over the weekend. Those folks who find themselves standing at the table picking meat for several hours, engage in conversation and get to know both old and new friends. Those men who stay up all night, tending the fire and cooking the meat, dozing off and on, also, as my mama says, “solve the world’s problems.” We are encouraged by those whose job is to sit for several hours and package sop, those who greet people at the drive through, those who plate and box. In everything, we work together.
One of the blessings of Union Christian Church is that this community extends beyond the barbecue. We saw it just a few weeks ago as we gathered together to welcome families during our first Interfaith Hospitality Network host week. This was Christian community at its finest. We are doing it this morning, as I am writing, at ACTS – serving food to those who are hungry and also helping them gather clothing and other needed supplies.
Community – I am grateful to be a part of the Union Christian Church community who works, serves, and worships together. Thanks be to God!
April 25
Perhaps the most beloved portrayal of Jesus from the I Am statements is the picture of him as the Good Shepherd found in John 10. From this image, and others in scripture, we can be assured that Jesus....
Protects us - "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." John 10:28
Guides us - "He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Psalm 23:3
Nurtures us - "He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms." Isaiah 40:31
Lays down his life for us - "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:11
I look forward to learning more with you this Sunday about Jesus, our Good Shepherd.
-Pastor Jane
April 18
We continue in the I Am series this Sunday, with Jesus’ declaration – I AM the Gate. Embedded in the passage are two beautiful images of Jesus. John 10 begins with the picture of a single shepherd, entering a sheep pen filled with sheep from many different herds.
In her book, The Preaching Life, Barbara Brown Taylor shares how the shepherd can distinguish his sheep within the larger herd:
“In Palestine today, it is still possible to witness a scene that Jesus almost certainly saw two thousand years ago, that of Bedouin shepherds bringing their flocks home from the various pastures they have grazed during the day. Often those flocks will end up at the same watering hole around dusk, so that they get all mixed up together—eight or nine small flocks turning into a convention of thirsty sheep. Their shepherds do not worry about the mix-up, however. When it is time to go home, each one issues his or her own distinctive call—a special trill or whistle, or a particular tune on a particular reed pipe, and that shepherd's sheep withdraw from the crowd to follow their shepherd home. They know who they belong to; they know their shepherd's voice, and it is the only one they will follow.” Later in chapter 10, Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
Immediately, Jesus utters the words I Am the Gate for the sheep. What does he mean? I hope you can join us this Sunday as we explore the sheep, the shepherd, and the gate.
-Pastor Jane
April 11
Each year, around the first week of June, something extraordinary takes place in the Great Smoky Mountains. The Synchronous Firefly Viewing Event occurs when tens-of-thousands of lightening bugs gather in swarms and flash in harmony, as the entire forest alternates between light and darkness. Located just a few minutes from downtown Gatlinburg, the largest population of synchronous fireflies in the Western Hemisphere creates an incredible phenomenon that is a sight to behold! What makes this so special that thousands of people request passes to see it each year?
Just steps away from the neon lights of Gatlinburg, viewers enter the forest in the dark, guided only by low-light flashlights with red filters. As the lucky spectators arrive at the viewing location, flashlights are turned off. As everyone’s eyes adjust to the darkness, suddenly the woods explode with the light of these lightening bugs. There, in the midst of total darkness, the light, created by these thousands of fireflies, stuns onlookers with its arrival. Why? Because even though it is expected, the affect is unexpected. For you see, we don’t expect a little ‘ole lightening bug to provide such an amazing and bright show.
Jesus said in John 8 – I Am the Light of the World. But he also said that we are the Light of the World. In Matthew 5:14-16, we read, You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Just like these synchronous fireflies, may we join our lights together to shine in the darkness so that the world can see Jesus in us.
-Pastor Jane
April 4
I AM the Bread of Life. Ego eimi (I Am) the Bread of Life. These Greek words identify Jesus as God – described for us, his followers, as bread. The first of Jesus’ I AM statements take us directly to the table – the same table we gather around each week. As we gather for worship and the table on Sunday, may our thoughts be specifically focused on what it means for Jesus to be bread for us. How can this bread give us life? Perhaps these song lyrics will guide your thoughts this week and as we gather for worship and the table.
I Am the Bread of Life
I am the Bread of Life
All who eat this Bread will never die
I am God's love revealed
I am broken that you might be healed
All who eat of this heavenly Bread
All who drink this cup of the covenant
You will live forever for I will raise you up
No one who comes to Me shall ever hunger again
No one who believes shall ever thirst
All that the Father draws shall come to Me
And I will give them rest
Songwriters: John Michael Talbot
I Am the Bread of Life lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
-Pastor Jane
April 1
April 1 – It’s April Fool’s Day, but it’s also Easter – the Day of Resurrection. Are we fools to believe in something that is so far-fetched? In our world today, many would argue that we are. But, as believers, we know of the power of the resurrection. We know resurrection can change our lives and has the power to change our world. As April begins, we will move into a new sermon series that examines this topic. How can we be assured of the power of Jesus and can we also access that same power?
For the next eight weeks, we will explore these questions as we learn from the I Am statements of Jesus from the gospel of John. Seven different times in this gospel, Jesus describes himself using a metaphor that would have been familiar to his hearers. He used illustrations to describe and define himself using ordinary, everyday images people could easily understand.
What can these statements mean for us today? Taking his statements to heart has the possibility of bringing each of us into a closer connection with Jesus. Most importantly, these statements can take us directly to God. We can know God, through Jesus.
I hope you can join with us as we walk through these I Am statements each Sunday morning over the next few weeks.
April 1
The Great I Am
John 6:16-21
April 8
I Am the Bread of Life
John 6:35-40
April 15
I Am the Light of the World
John 8:12
April 22
I Am the Gate
John 10:7-10
April 29
I Am the Good Shepherd
John 10:11-18
May 6
I Am the Resurrection and the Life
John 11:25-26
May 13
I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
John 14:1-6
May 20
I Am the Vine
John 15:1-8
March 28
This is a week of extremes: from the joyful Hosannas of Palm Sunday, to the Maundy Thursday scene of the Last Supper, the agony of Good Friday, the silence of Holy Saturday, and the joyful Alleluias of Resurrection Sunday, we travel the gamut. My prayer for you this week is that you will not rush too quickly to Alleluia, and will allow yourself to experience the grief of Friday and the silence of Saturday. It is only from that grief and silence that we can fully realize the gift of the cross; that we can fully absorb the gift of his great love for us.
Therefore I Will Hope
A Blessing for Holy Saturday
I have no cause
to linger beside
this place of death
no reason
to keep vigil
where life has left
and yet I cannot go,
cannot bring myself
to cleave myself
from here
can only pray
that this waiting
might yet be a blessing
and this grieving
yet a blessing
and this stone
yet a blessing
and this silence
yet a blessing
still.
Jan Richardson
May God bless you as you live fully into this holiest of weeks.
-Pastor Jane
March 21
It is Monday morning and our building is quiet, but this was not the case just a few hours ago. For yesterday afternoon found a bevy of Union folks tearing down and building back up. Sunday School rooms were transformed into bedrooms as furniture was moved, beds were rolled in, and beautiful clean sheets and towels were placed for our guests. The building was alive with children playing in the play-sized kitchen, eating wonderful food, and running up and down the hallways, as only children can do! Parents were relieved with the knowledge that their family was in a safe place with loving people. It was the first day of hosting families from Interfaith Hospitality Network.
This past Sunday, as I preached from Jeremiah 31, where we are reminded that God’s word, God’s law, and God’s love are written on our hearts, it didn’t cross my mind that this very passage would be lived out that afternoon. For you see - as Union volunteers set up, cooked dinner, spent time with the families, spent the night, and drove them to day care and the Day Center this morning – each person was living as examples of the New Covenant – examples of what our lives can be like when God is “tattooed on our hearts,” as our own children learned during Children’s Chat on Sunday.
“I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people.” Jeremiah 31:33
-Pastor Jane