The Beacon

Blue Mound UMC November 2025

Thanksgiving Prayer

Dear Lord,
As we gather on Thanksgiving Day, we remember the words of the Holy
Bible that call us to give thanks in all circumstances.
We praise and thank you for your great power and love and mercy, for
your goodness, for your blessings and for your faithfulness. Most of all we
thank you for the sacrifice, the gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus
Christ. In order so that we might have freedom and life in your kingdom.
Forgive us for when we don't thank you for who you are, for all that
you do, for all that you've given us. Help us to keep our eyes and hearts
focused on you. We ask that your spirit fill us, in order to draw us closer to
you. You alone are worthy.
We are grateful for family and friends surrounding us, for the food on
our tables, the shelter over our heads. When we struggle and worry, get
tired and worn, go astray, you never leave us. Thank you for your Presence
in all parts and times of our lives. May we count it all Joy.
Help us to give thanks with a grateful heart not just on this Thanksgiving
Day but on every day of the year. Amen

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

I’m continuing to share with you from Rueben P. Job’s
wonderful little book entitled Three Simple Rules. I’ve already shared with
you about the first rule, Do No Harm. Now to the second – Do Good.
In Luke 6:27-28 Jesus says, “But I say to you that listen, Love your
enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray
for those who abuse you.” To do good is a direct command from Jesus. But
what does it mean for me to “do good”? It sounds simple, but where do I
begin? What are the boundaries, the limits? What does doing good look
like in our divided, hostile, and wounded world?
The words of Jesus suggest that doing good is a universal command.
That is, doing good is not limited to those like me or those who like me.
Doing good is directed at everyone, even those who do not fit my category
of “worthy” to receive any good that I or others can direct their way. This
command is also universal in that no one is exempt from it.
Doing good, like doing no harm, is a proactive way of living. I can
decide that my way of living will come down on the side of doing good to
all in every circumstance and in every way I can. I can decide that I will
choose a way of living that nourishes goodness and strengthens
community.
This way of living will require a careful assessment of my life and the
world in which I live. I commit myself to seeking good for everyone in my
world and everyone in God’s world. Every act and every word must pass
through the love and will of God and there be measured to discover if its
purpose does indeed bring good and goodness to all it touches.

Pastor’s Corner Page 2 of 2
There are obstacles to this way of living, and at the top of the list may be
my desire to be in control. I like to know where I am going, and I like to
know what it will cost to get there. The needs of the world are so great that
if I were to do all the good I could, I might feel compelled to give everything
away for some good cause. Would that be the right thing to do?
And what if I offer my gift of goodness and it is rejected?
The truth is that my gift of goodness may be rejected, ridiculed, and
misused. But my desire to do good is not limited by the thoughts or actions
of others. My desire to do good is in response to God’s invitation to follow
Jesus, and it is in my control. I can determine to extend hospitality and
goodness to all I meet. And the reward for my doing good is not cancelled
or diminished by the response to my acts of goodness. I will have the
reward of knowing I did what was right and pleasing to God.
This decision will mean that I must seek good for all. I must seek what
is best for those whose position and condition may be far different than my
vision for them. It will mean that I will seek to heal the wounds of my sisters
and brothers, no matter if their social position, economic condition,
educational achievement, or lifestyle is radically different from mine.
Of course, this is a challenging way to live. To love God with my
whole being and to love my neighbor as much as I love myself was never
declared to be easy; but it was declared to be essential to our spiritual life,
our life of faith, and our life with God.
Next month, we’ll look at the third and last of the three simple rules –
Stay in Love with God.
Peace be with you, Buster

Do Good

November Celebrations
Birthday
02 Bonnie Mika
Dave Rasmussen
08 Jimmy Regan-Leaupepe
14 Miriam Klein
16 Shayne Wright Miller
21 Joe Ewing
22 Karan Muns
24 Stephanie Hutson
25 Jeannie Hardin
28 Robert Hokamp
30 Billy Wright
Anniversary
17 James and Heather Cox
21 Billy and Dana Wright

Hayride > Fun for All > Saturday October 18,2025

Hello November
02 Holy Communion

Daylight Savings Time Ends* Set Your Clock Back

09 Second Sunday Lunch, Noon

Veterans Day Sunday (Official Veterans Day 11 th )
22 Family Fellowship Night, 6:00 pm Fun, Games, and Food.

23 Church Thanksgiving Lunch, Noon

27 Thanksgiving Day

*** Important Special Called Church Meeting ***
Sunday November 2, 2025 After Worship Service

This Church Conference meeting will be of interest to all Blue Mound UMC
members. The subject will be a presentation to inform the congregation about
the damage to the church building related to the storm on September 21, 2025.
It will include insurance company evaluation, repairs needed, contractor
information, financial data and other additional statistics.
Please Stay after Worship November 2nd.

This meeting is vital to our Church and to You as a Member.

Thanks You Veterans For Your Service
BLUE MOUND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
8421 N. Interstate 35, Denton, TX 76207-1537 (940) 382-0825
Midway between Denton and Sanger at Exit 473
Sunday School: 9:30 am, Sunday Worship: 10:45 am
Website: www.bluemoundumc.org
Linda Boyer, Newsletter Editor
Need to contact Pastor Buster Noah?
Email: pastor@bluemoundumc.org