The Beacon
Blue Mound UMC January 2023
A Fresh Start!
A new year means a blank slate for all of us. It’s a chance to start fresh and work towards a better version of ourselves. I’ve always enjoyed creating New Year’s resolutions, but this year I’m putting a new spin on it. This may be a new idea for some of you (it is for me!), though some of you may have been doing this for years.
My New Year’s resolution this year is to do something new each month to improve myself or help others. Some of my ideas for the next 12 months include: reading more nonfiction, attending Bible study, and starting a new workout program. I hope I’ll be able to continue the habits from the previous month and just add on as the year continues. However, while I love to try new things, I also think it’s okay to decide that some things just aren’t your cup of tea. I hope you’ll think of at least one new thing to try this year!
It’s my hope for all of us that we can all get out of our comfort zones and try new things. I plan on keeping the things that benefit myself or someone else and moving on from things that don’t. Happy New Year! – Karan Muns
What Is Sin (Part Two)
In Mark 2:27, Jesus says, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath.” This saying might sound a bit odd to us today, but it has far-reaching implications. The sabbath is a day set aside for rest and for honor of God. In Judaism there are strict rules around sabbath observance. In fact, this is stipulated within the Ten Commandments: “Observe the sabbath day and keep it holy” (Deut. 5:12). Jesus, however, is saying that God did not make people simply to follow rules. Rather, the rules are there for the benefit of the people. God’s way of doing things leads us into ways of life, rather than ways of death. God’s way of doing things leads us to flourish as people.
It seems sometimes that among Christians the rules become their own end. Our faith becomes rule-centered, rather than grace-centered. Rules are certainly important, but they are important because they lead us into a proper relationship with God. Take a commonplace example like smoking. Christians are right to say that smoking is not consistent with the Christian life, but why? Because cigarette smoke offends God? Of course not. Rather, the reason is that God wishes us to care for our bodies and to use our bodies in ways that honor the fact that they are gifts from God. Smoking, however, hurts our bodies. It can even kill us. God’s will is for our well-being, so habits that diminish our well-being are not in keeping with God’s will. We humans are not made simply to obey rules. Rather, God leads us to establish particular rules and guidelines for living within our communities so that we can flourish as God wishes.
Here are some questions and answers about sin:
What is sin? Sin is the violation of God’s will. Do all people sin? Yes, all people have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).
What is actual sin? Actual sin is every thought, word, and deed by which we violate God’s will.
What is personal sin? Personal sin is an actual sin that results from an individual’s thought, word, or deed.
What is social sin? Social sin is the participation in sinful social structures.
Where is our salvation from sin? Our salvation from sin is in Jesus Christ. Next month we’ll being looking at salvation.
I pray that you may come to understand and believe more and more with each passing day, just how special and loved by God you are! Peace be with you, Buster
January Celebrations
Birthday
01 Elizabeth Foster
03 Sharon Knappe
05 Debbie Martin
10 Beth Fleming
11 Taylor Kraft
Sondra Trietsch
Kyle Kraft
15 Linda Boyer
16 Dorothy Smith
Sandra Schertz
17 Jacob Cooper
20 Robert Franklin
Susie Schertz
Tami McConnell
22 Linda Brandenberger
23 Dorothy Franklin
24 Eula Belle Roberson
25 Bob Howell
27 Dana Wright
Lisa Smith
Joe Regan-Leaupepe
Anniversary
08 D’Lynn and Joe Ewing
ABOUT GROWING OLDER. By Will Rodgers Comments
~ The older we get; the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.
~ Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me; I want people to know ‘why’ I look this way. I’ve traveled a long way, and some of the roads weren’t paved.
~ I don’t know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.
~ Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.
And, finally ~ If you don’t learn to laugh at trouble, you won’t have anything to laugh at when you are old.
01 Holy Communion
New Year’s Day
08 Second Sunday Lunch, Noon
28 Family Fellowship Night, 6:00 pm Fun, Games, and Food.
Please check your Sunday bulletin, email notices and website for other weekly activities.
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
