The Beacon

    Blue Mound UMC September 2022

Fruit Inspectors

I heard someone say “I am a fruit inspector.” This was in reference to the scripture, Galatians 5: 22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

One commentary explains it like this: “The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ. If we want the fruit of the Spirit in us, we must join our life with Him.  A person who exhibits the fruit of the Spirit fulfills the law far better than a person who observes the rituals but has little love in his or her heart.”

Many of us make ourselves Judges over others when we should be Fruit Inspectors. There are many Bible verses saying that we are to Judge Not. That is the job of the Lord.   Are you a Fruit Inspector or Judge?

As a Fruit Inspector we are to use the characteristics presented in Galatians 5 as our check list. Our way to tell the condition of a person.

Galatians 5: 24-26 says: Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Even with the Spirit of the Lord in us, we are still human, we make mistakes, we have emotions, dreams and desires. As Christians, living day by day, we must strive to display the Fruit of the Spirit in our Life.

-Linda

             Who Is God the Holy Spirit? (Part Two)

To live a “holy” life means to live as God wants us to, which we can do through the power and work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us to not only know what is right, but to do it.

So, how does it work? The Holy Spirit is always calling to us, always reaching out to us,

but it’s our choice to say yes or no to the Spirit. And this is something we must keep doing or else we risk backsliding into sin. Things that we do to keep from backsliding are to be faithful in prayer and reading the Bible daily, to be a faithful church member weekly, and to take Holy Communion monthly. These are “spiritual disciplines” we are to do even if we don’t feel like it because they help to keep us close to God. These spiritual disciplines are also “means of grace” through which we receive the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit uses to help us become the people God wants us to be.

Here are answers to some questions you may have or may be asked.

Who is the Holy Spirit? The Third Person of the Trinity, who proceeds from the Father

and the Son. “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of

truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf” (John 15:6).

How does God relate to us through the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit convinces us of sin,

righteous, and judgment; leads us into faithful response to the gospel; comforts, sustains, and

empowers us; and leads us into truth.

How can we receive the Holy Spirit? Through means of grace, such as the sacraments,

prayer, worship, and reading the Bible.

What will be the effect of the Spirit’s work in my life? Renewed life in the present and

eternal life with God. “So, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has

passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

How can we recognize the truths taught by the Holy Spirit? We recognize them when

they agree with the Bible, are consistent with the tradition of the Church, and by their moral and ethical unity with Christian faith and practice. “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” (John 16:13).

May understanding more about the Holy Spirit be a blessing for you today!

Peace be with you,

Buster

Galatians 5: 22-23

 

Enjoy Worship and Fellowship!

As church attendance numbers fade across the nation and online services become very convenient, it’s important to remember why church attendance for you and your family matters so much.

You can’t serve from your sofa.  You can’t have community of faith on
your sofa.  You can’t experience the power of a room full of believers
worshipping together on your sofa.

Christians aren’t consumers.  We are contributors.  We don’t watch.
We engage.  We give.  We sacrifice.  We encourage.  We pray by laying hands on the hurting.  We do life together.

The church needs you.  And you need the church.   -Submitted By Judy Klein

 Updated on Tuesday Bible Study

 

Pastor announced Sunday August 21 an update to Tuesday Bible Study, Special Note.

 

Let’s do Galatians next. I’ll try giving the same lesson at two times:

 

(1) Tuesdays from 10:00-11:00 AM. This one will be both in person at church and by zoom like we’ve been doing. Then at 11:00 AM those who want to can head over to the Rising Sun Cafe in the Unicorn Lake area for food and fellowship.

 

(2) Wednesdays from 7:00-8:00 PM by zoom only. I’ll be doing this one from home.

 

Each week I’ll send out a summary of what we’ve learned so far along with a preview of what we’ll cover that week. I’ll also include the text from my favorite version, the New Revised Standard Version, so we’re all reading from the same version. 

September Celebrations

Birthday

02 Jacob Klein

Michael Trietsch

James “Herf” Graham

03 Jessica Wright

04 Jasmine Wright

05 Randy Kidd

Juliet Wright

Tiffany Schertz Cooper

09 Kay Goodman

Nancy Franklin

13 Sally Harding Weiss

14 Joe Foor

20 Trinity Kraft

24 Judy Klein

Lonnie Roberson

28 Vickie Barker

 

Anniversary

16 Cody and Erin Riddle

18  Sam and Karen Reynolds

04 Holy Communion

05 Labor Day

11 Second Sunday Lunch, Noon

22 Autumn Begins

 24 Family Fellowship Night, 6:00 pm Fun, Games, and Food.

 

Second Sunday of each month offers up two blessings.

Hear the Pennies Dropping is a time we celebrate each month’s birthdays. All the people, young and old, with a birthday in the month brings a penny for each of their birthday years, gives it in a special offering.

We have a Pot Bless Lunch on the Second Sunday after service. Everyone brings a dish or dishes of their favorite foods, homemade or store bought, and place it on a common table. There is a prayer of thanksgiving and we all line up to help ourselves. We all enjoy the fine food, great fellowship and second helpings. There is always a bountiful supply!

And Don’t Forget Family Fellowship Night on the 4th Saturday each month.     Join Us at 6 p.m. Everyone Welcome, Bring a Friend!

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