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