A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR

I have probably mentioned this before, but it was such a disturbing event, I suspect I’ll never forget it. A couple of weeks after Easter in about 2004, someone came to my office to tell me about something someone said after the Easter service that year. At the end of the later service, with a room just crammed full of worshippers, a man said to those around, “ I can’t believe that Michael O’Bannon. I’m sure he’ll get some kickback on his statement that the resurrection of Jesus was real!” It was also reported that an older lady in the pew in front of him took him on. Good for her. I don’t know who the mas was: no one would tell me: but I did know the lady. She
was the type to speak her mind.

I was so upset, I went to see a professor of the New Testament. (I Won’t reveal who or where.) That person told me that the latest scholarship on resurrection was that if it did happen, it was only for Jesus.Most likely, it was believed that it was only a symbolic statement! You can imagine my dismay.

Friends, while there is much that can be explained in a reasonable and scientifically demonstrated way, it should be quickly stated that there is much about our faith that can only be accepted and believed. It always amuses me when people admit there is a God, but refuse to believe in the things God does!

We are a people of faith; and, as we approach Easter, we need to be reminded that God is bigger than our limited, human understanding of the divinely created universe. Easter is about the awesome power of God-as well as their promise of our own resurrection. Christ arose!

Michael D. O’Bannon, Pastor

Perfection

Matthew 5:48

On March 3rd the Third Sunday in Lent, the sermon title is, Perfection. The scripture is Matthew 5:48.

This coming Sunday, Anne and I will be in NYC celebrating Olivia’s 7th birthday.

Gary Smith will be delivering the message.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday March 10th.

Blessings,

Pastor Michael

Powered Christians

Mark 8:34-36.

This week I will be preaching a sermon entitled, Powered Christians.

The theme of the sermon is that one doesn’t emerge from a commitment to Christ fully formed and completely transformed. One must continually grow in Christ.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday morning!

Blessings,

Pastor Michael

A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR

As I write this note, I am preparing to leave for the airport. By the time you receive this, I will have returned. Also, as I write this note, it is during the time our regular worship service has previously been held. Today, worship and Sunday School have been canceled. When I awoke this morning, I had a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach. I am absolutely positive it has everything to do with not being in worship.

For years, I have mentioned that I literally woke up in church. As incredible as it sounds, I still have a mental image of looking up from the cradle in the “Cradle Roll Room” at old First Methodist Church in Tuscumbia, Alabama, and seeing the cut-outs that had been taped there as modest decoration for the infants. It is as vivid an image as I have of anything.

When growing up, attendance at church was a given. There was little to no discussion about whether or not to go. For a while, we went to Sunday School every Sunday, but only attended worship every other week. I clearly remember the Sunday my parents made the decision to attend worship every Sunday: it was the Sunday I expected to go home and watch “Tom Terrific” on our black and white television. I was disappointed—and there was no such thing as recording anything! However, in the weeks and months that followed, I came to value the time in worship. My parents would separate me from my sister so there would be no temptation to talk or otherwise disturb those around us. Most of the time, I ended up between my parents.

Both had a very nice voice, especially my mother who, as a child, used to sing on the radio when she and her family lived in El Paso, Texas. As I grew older, I was allowed to sit in the balcony with the other youth—until I was old enough to sing in the adult choir.

From those early days until now, worship has been a major part of my life. In fact, worship is one of the cornerstones of my existence—not done out of habit, but out of a need to offer myself to the Living God. Missing worship this morning is somewhat upsetting. For more than 25 years I would not cancel worship. Of course, the churches I pastored where in county seat towns or in Nashville; and the roads were quite passable. I was helped in making this decision one Sunday afternoon while living in a county seat town. I was out driving in the snow and ice and happened to see one of my members driving around. It had been too dangerous for her to get out in the snow when it came time to worship; but, it was not too dangerous to get out and go to the post office to check her post office box!

Now, you might ask why I cancelled worship at Kedron and Lock’s. While the major roads are o.k., I am aware that the side roads are not safe at all—that plus the fact that the temperature is dangerously low. By the time you read this, the temperature will be higher; but when I got up this morning, my phone app read 0 degrees! Earlier in the week, I made two visits to homes where there was a death. I know what it’s like out and around the churches. Your safety is of ultimate importance to me.

And so, I look forward to seeing you at worship—and maybe even Sunday School! Both are an excellent time to renew friendships and worship the Living God!

Michael D. O’Bannon, Pastor

Clickbait

Matthew 4:1-11

On February 18th First Sunday in Lent, I will be preaching a sermon entitled, Clickbait. The topic addressed in the sermon is temptation.

We will have an Ash Wednesday service at Lock’s, Wednesday, February 14th at 6:30 pm.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday morning!

Blessings,

Pastor Michael

Super Is Not Only About a Bowl

On February 11th Transfiguration Sunday, the sermon is entitled, “Super Is Not Only About a Bowl.” The scripture is Psalm 20.

We will have an Ash Wednesday service at Lock’s Memorial UMC next Wednesday, February 14th.

I look forward to seeing all of you on Sunday morning!

Blessings,

Pastor Michael