January 2012
New. Strange, isn’t it, how such a small word can both excite and intimidate. It excites us when that word is put with a “new” dress, a “new” set of gulf clubs, a “new” car, a “new” hoodie, and the list goes on. But when it is placed with a “new” job, a “new” school, a “new” neighborhood, it can intimidate us. And when a “new” year approaches, all kinds of emotions surface. What will it bring? Will I be happy? Will my health hold up? Will my job be secure? Will the kids do well in school? Will I get that scholarship?
But “new” is good. It brings a fresh start, a second chance, an opportunity to start over, try something new. New ways to trust God, to take Him at His word. New avenues of service can open. New classes to teach, to sit in and learn and grow in our faith.
What will 2012 bring? I don’t know, but God does. That is why He inspired the writer of Proverbs 3:5-6 to write these words: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.”
When I read these verses, “new” and “new year” are not intimidating, but rather exciting, causing me to wonder what good things God has prepared for you and me. There will be bumps in our road, but they are just that, bumps, not the whole road. Jesus said, “I will make all things new.” And He will.
Enjoy the “new” in Him.
Rev. Russ
November 2011
It was my second year as part-time pastor of Maple Avenue Church of the Brethren in Canton, Ohio. It was my responsibility to call the local newspaper each Thursday with my sermon title. Busy, I asked Diane to call it in for me. Somehow she lost my original title and made one up of her own. It was short and to the point: “Be ye Thankful”. That was no where near what I had in mind for my sermon title, but I made it work. Now, each November, I remind her of that title and we laugh. But, in truth, Diane’s title is exactly what God tells us to do. We are to be thankful for what He has given us.
November is a good month, time, to stop and think of all the life, good things that have been given us. Do we have problems, trials, fears, anxiety about the future? Of course we do, but what about what we have, the resources available to us? It is true, and more than just a song title, “Little is much if God is in it”, and it is. You see, in giving thanks, and appreciation for what we have, attitude is everything. Coy Thomas, a fellow who was “poor” in many ways, that I walked with in Kentucky, said it best to me one day, “We might be poor, but we don’t have to act it.”
I never forgot Coy or that statement.
I would love to command you, as Diane’s sermon title suggests. But I can’t. I only wish that during this month that you would take a few moments and stop and consider what you really have. Do it for me, Diane and for yourself, and you will see how blessed you, we, are.
“Be ye thankful”
Rev. Russ & Diane
October 2011
Change is inevitable. Like it or not, it comes. Nothing in our world stays the same. Well, almost nothing. God, our God, remains the one constant. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. But life changes. And we, here at Berlin Center Church, have experienced some lately. With my pending retirement, the sale of the old parsonage and the purchase of a new one, and the coming of a new pastor - - these changes can unnerve us. It has me. Yet, we know that God is still in control, working His will out in your life and mine.
As God would have it, we now are in the month of October. For me, October is the “poster-child” of change. Once green, now leaves turn to a brilliance of gold, red and yellow, displaying the creative handiwork of God. And we see that change is good and even beautiful. Even my birthday is in October, another witness of change, yet it is good to have lived another year, and the hope of another one. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. Change never threatens or worries Him. His will will be done, His love constant, His care for us assured. Change is simply different. Yet God remains the same. Oh, for grace to trust Him more.
In Him,
Rev. Russ
September 2011
One cannot think of the month of September without thinking of "9-11", the loss of life, the destruction, the new sense of vulnerability never experienced before in modern day America. Lessons learned the hard and painful way.
Life can be like that if we are not prepared for it. The Boy Scout's motto "Be prepared" is a good motto for all of us. Part of the role of our church is to help prepare us for life in all of its many stages. Worship is an important part of it, but so is its educational and fellowship parts. As pastor and church leaders, we are responsible for the equipping of you and your children for this life and the life that is to come. But you play an important part as well. You have to plan, schedule, take advantage of the many opportunities to worship and grow in your faith. Life and all of its challenges come fast and hard, often with no warning like "9-11". The time to prepare ourselves and our children is now. Then is too late.
Decide now, plan now, schedule now to get involved, to grow and mature in your faith. We are here for you and the whole family. Listen to the voice of others. Be prepared....let us help you.
In Him,
Rev. Russ
JULY 2011
By now, you have probably heard that Diane and I are retiring from Berlin Center Church. The date will be July 1, 2012. The decision was not an easy one, but one that came after much prayer, conversation and thought. It is time, but what a time we have had here. Your love, care and support is what every pastor hopes for in their church. God has blessed us richly. I thank God for you.
Our goal is to live in the community and stay connected to the church in some way. It will no doubt be different for both of us, the church and us, but it will still be good. God has called us to ministry and we will be faithful to that call. God is a creative God and is always doing “new things”. He will bless us as He always has.
Allow me to remind you that July of 2012 is a long way off. I am in the process of retiring, not quitting. Until that day, I will still be your pastor and leading you in ministry. There is still much to do and we will do it. Pray for Diane and I, pray for the church, pray for that right person who God will send to us. Pray, hope, believe. God is faithful and we will be too.
In Him,
Rev. Russ
JUNE 2011
Some years ago, we, as a Staff Parish Relations Committee, were asked to formulate a mission statement for our church. After some discussion, our mission statement was born. It is just three words: “Making Christ Known.” When all is said and done, that is the mission of our church and all of its ministries and programs. We want people to know Jesus Christ. That mission may take many different forms and voices, but our goal is the same. Making Christ known.
I think that it is profitable for each of us to take some quiet time and sit down and write out our own mission statement. By doing so, it will help define what our life’s foundational intention is. It helps to give meaning and direction to life. If we don’t know or have formulated our mission, purpose in life, it will be extremely difficult to live this one life successfully.
You see, Jesus had a mission statement. He came to seek and to save the lost. And He never deterred from it. He stopped to heal a blind man, speak to a tax collector who was up a tree, and wept at a friends death. He cared, lived out His mission. We would do well to do the same. What’s your mission statement?
Write it down, live it out.
Rev. Russ
MAY 2011
Patience. “Patience is accepting a difficult situation without giving God a deadline to handle it.” Author unknown.
For most of us, our patience is wearing thin waiting for warm, dry weather to come. It was a long cold winter and the spring that we longed for has been wet and cold. If you are anything like me, we could use a crash course in patience. Part of our homework would be memorizing Psalm 37:7. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.”
Life is filled with anxious moments. We all struggle with full schedules, interruptions, inconveniences and irritations. They are all part of life. They come with the territory. But there is help and hope.
The key to overcoming these trials is patience. A fruit of the Spirit. We sometimes forget that God is still in control. His Holy Spirit is still very much at work in our world and in our lives. Patience gives us the opportunity to let go and let God do His will in us and in our lives. James writes in James 1:3, “that the trying of our faith works patience in us.”
So the next time we get anxious, worried about this or that, remember our homework. Psalm 37:7, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” He will come, just wait and see.
Growing in patience,
Rev. Russ
APRIL 2011
Some questions asked, demand an answer. Job, in the Old Testament book named for him, asks such a one. In his misery and frustration he asks, “If a man die, will he live again?” Job 14:14. That question has been asked, pondered by every generation of human kind. If, when we die, will we live again? Easter, with Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, answers that question once and for all.
Jesus, wanting us to be well informed about life after our death tells us yes there is. In John 14:1-6, He gives us His promise of both eternal life, and of a place where we will spend eternity with Him and fellow believers. The Apostle Paul echoes this truth with these words of I Corinthians 15:20-22, “But now Christ is risen from the dead and became the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by Man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” KJV.
It is with that hope, that faith that we look eagerly to Easter Sunday when we will gather, worship and affirm this great truth first spoken by that angel, “He is not here, He has risen just as He said.” Good news!
Rejoice, He has risen!
Rev. Russ
MARCH 2011
When you think of the word “legacy”, what comes to mind? William James defines legacy this way. “The great use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it.” How will we be remembered, and what will we be remembered for? What will that “thing” be that outlives, outlasts us? Our legacy to those who follow us, family or friend.
Perhaps up until this moment you may have never given that thought much consideration. We should. You see we will be remembered in some way by those who knew us or at least will be familiar with our name. I like to think that we will be remembered for the kind and positive words that we spoke. For the deeds that we do in Christ’s name, for the generosity in our giving to church and other worthwhile agencies that help people. That our world, our families are better, richer for our being a part of it.
The other day while in Youngstown, I drove through my old neighborhood and past where I used to live. The house still stands. The windows were broken out, upset garbage cans lay across the driveway. The doors on the garage where hanging on broken hinges. The hedge that dad planted was out of control, an ugly reminder of neglect and lack of care by it’s present owner. A legacy of sorts.
Sad to say, some lives are lived that way with little or no thought of the legacy that they will leave behind. Don’t let that happen to you and yours. Live for Christ and let our legacy be that we were followers of Christ and it showed.
In Him,
Rev. Russ
FEBRUARY 2011
A good number of years ago, we, here at Berlin Center Church, designated February as “Family Month.” The reason being, by now, winter has seemed to drag on with snow and cold our constant companions. We needed something to lift our spirits out of the winter doldrums. Something to inspire us, encourage us and have a good time as well. Well, February is here and so is Family Month.
Our goal is that this month has something for every one in God’s family and ours. All of the month’s sermons will center around the family and family issues. Times of fun and fellowship, such as roller skating, movie night and ice cream social, the theme dinner and dessert auction and a night at Amron Lanes bowling are some of our planned events. Special music will grace our worship services as well. The youth will lead our Feb. 6th service and then go to the Salem Community Center for basketball, swimming and pizza. It will be a busy, but fun, month.
Make no mistake about it. Family month is for, and planned for, you and your family. Make it a point to do as much as you can. Meet new people, have fun and put your cares on a shelf for a while. February only comes once a year, so take advantage of it. Remember, you are a part of God’s family and ours as well.
Enjoy Family Month,
Rev. Russ
FAMILY MONTH SERMONS
Feb. 6th - Youth Sunday, Jeff Clegg speaking
Feb. 13th - Christian Parenthood
Feb. 20th - Things That Break A Marriage
Feb. 27th - First Things First
JANUARY 2011
It always takes me a while to get accustomed to writing the numbers of a new year. For twelve months 2010 was the norm, the familiar. Now I have to change, and as you know, change can be a challenge for some of us.
Years ago, with the coming of a new year, people made New Year Resolutions. You don’t hear much of those any more. Maybe because so few of them were kept. Back then, people made resolutions to better themselves, make a difference in their lives. These resolutions ranged from losing weight, to quit smoking, to exercising more, to cut down on sweets and eating healthy. Resolutions are good if we have the resolve to keep them.
If the words “New Years Resolutions” are outdated, perhaps we can substitute the word “goals”. What are some goals that you would like to accomplish this year? May I suggest a few? Be a kinder more thoughtful person. Be patient, more willing to forgive and move on. Be more generous with your time to your loved ones, especially your children and grandchildren. Remember those special birthdays and anniversaries, gifts are nice. Well, you get the idea.
Now the religious part. Attend church and Sunday School and Bible studies more regularly. Tithe or at least increase your giving. Volunteer to help in VBS, the nursery, Junior Church. Sing in the choir, welcome visitors like they are special, because they are. Read your Bible more, pray more, pray for your pastor and Diane, our missionaries, visit the ill. Again, you get the idea. Help your church and yourself as well.
2011 will be a year of change. Let’s change for the better with it. God will help.
Have a blessed New Year,
Rev. Russ
DECEMBER 2010
In preparation for Christmas I have been reading one of the books that the United Methodist Women gave me for Christmas some time ago. Its title is “The Greatest Gift.” Each year I read this book and others like it and allow God to speak to me through it. As I pondered this book’s title “The Greatest Gift”, I thought of gifts that I have been given and interestingly enough, none that I value most came in bright colored paper. The gift of Christ heads my list of most valued. Where would I be, what would I be without Him? My next most treasured gift is Diane, who blesses me and our family daily with her love and example. Family, you and my health round out my list of most precious.
God, that giver of every good and perfect gift, has blessed not just me and mine, but you as well. You have heard me say it before and allow me to say it once again, out of all of the gifts that God has blessed me with, people, people like you are my most valued and appreciated. Are we all perfect? No! We are what and who we are, but with patience and love, the rough edges matter little. Grace is given.
This Christmas rejoice in God’s amazing gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Hold family and friends near to your heart. And let Christ’s spirit of Christmas make this Christmas special. For Christ is the “Greatest Gift”.
Thanks for the gift of you,
Rev. Russ
November 2010
How good are we at being thankful? And how often do we take the time to realize just how fortunate and blessed we are? The month of November, with its focus on Thanksgiving Day, gives us an opportunity to stop and “count our blessings.” I, like you, know that, for many, life is hard. Failing health, loss of a job or less hours, caring for elderly parents or an insensitive spouse are just of few of the struggles we, as people, face. Yet, in the midst of all of that, there are some good things, positive things, things when stopped and considered, cause us to realize that even on cloudy days there are some glimpse of the sun. That glass might only be half full, but it’s our water, and our glass.
Someone once said that God only asks us to be thankful for what we have, not what we don’t have. St. Paul writes, “for I have learned, in whatever state I am, in this to be content” (Phil. 4:11b). That takes some doing in a culture such as ours, but it can be done. Remember trials come to make us strong.
I would encourage you to this “Thanksgiving” month to at least once a day tell God and someone around you that you are thankful for them, or something. St. Paul again writes, “in all things give thanks.” Good advice. Practice make perfect.
Thankful for Him and you,
Rev. Russ
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