The Beacon
Blue Mound UMC JULY 2022
Old Fashion Porches
When I was a kid, I remember our family stopping to visit my aunt and uncle’s farm in Alabama while on summer vacation. They had an older farmhouse with a front and back porch. At that time, they had no air conditioning, so on hot evenings, we moved to the front porch. The adults talked while the kids chased fireflies (lightening bugs). Then porches were considered a room of the house. People thought it was a blessing to have a screened-in porch to keep insects out. Other folks on the road had a house with a porch that encircled the whole home. Old fashion porches had all manner of seating: Ladder back and rocking chairs, fancy and plain seats, my favorite was the wooden bench swing hanging from the ceiling with chains.
In the early days, along with porches, homes were built with a breezeway (dog run) in the middle separating the house into two sections. Generally, with the kitchen on one side and the living quarters on the other. The breezeway help cool the house and sometimes did double duty as a bedroom in the heat of summer
The porches played a part in many holidays and family events. One year we were at the farm for the 4th of July. Tables deck out with all kinds of food stretched out across the yard. People from the area came to enjoy the day of celebration. With plates load down they spread all around, on the porch, the steps and in chairs under the shade trees. What a wonderful time!
Porches were a place of gathering together with family and friends. The women would sit and snap beans, husk corn, peel potatoes or do their mending or knitting. Talking, laughing and even singing, enjoying each other’s company. The men would debate issues of the day, politics, weather, local news, enjoying a smoke. Sometimes resolving a common problem, they might have.
Sadly, some new homes do not have porches. They are designed for inside living. Small lots, restrict the amount of space available, so only a little patio can be included in the building plans with a nice front entryway but no porch.
Now I find pleasure sitting on my back porch watching birds, rain or the sunset. Porches or patios are still a good way to reflect on today’s issues or visit with family or friends. -Linda
Then >>> Now 
Who Is God the Son? (Part Four)
So, if someone was to ask you about Jesus what would you say? Here are some answers that you may find helpful.
Who is God the Son? He is the second person of the trinity, through whom all creation has come into being. He is the only perfect image of the Father, and he shows us the nature of God.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. (John 1:1-3 NRSV)
What is the nature of God revealed in Jesus? God is love. God is love. (1 John 4:8)
What do we mean when we say that Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and became incarnate from the virgin Mary? We mean that by God’s own act, his divine son received our human nature from the virgin Mary, his mother.
Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God… For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:35, 37)
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife but had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-25)
Why did he take our human nature? The divine Son became human so that in him human beings might be adopted as children of God, and be made heirs of God’s kingdom.
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. (Galatians 4:4-5)
But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God. (John 1:12)
He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14)
If I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)
What is the relationship between Jesus’ divinity and his humanity? Jesus is fully divine and fully human.
Christ, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, assuming human likeness. (Philippians 2:6-7)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. (Colossians 1:15)
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily. (Colossians 2:9)
What is the great importance of Jesus’ suffering and death? By his death, Christ made perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual.
Surely, he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases, yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4-5)
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)
He was handed over for our trespasses and was raised for our justification. (Romans 4:25)
But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
For our sake God made the one who knew no sin to be sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” (Galatians 3:13)
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. (Ephesians 1:7)
If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2)
What is the great significance of Jesus’ bodily resurrection? In the resurrection Jesus overcame death, and his rising presages our own.
We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. (Romans 6:9)
But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human. (1 Corinthians 15:20-21)
And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for the one who for their sake died and was raised. (2 Corinthians 5:15)
What does it mean to say that Jesus ascended into heaven? We mean that Jesus took our human nature into heaven, where he now reigns with the Father and intercedes for us.
For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all—this was attested at the right time. (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
He has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him. (1 Peter 3:22)
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (1 John 2:1)
How can we share in this victory over sin, suffering, and death? We receive our salvation by putting our whole trust in Jesus Christ for our salvation.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (John 14:9)
“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. (2 Corinthians 5:19)
So that at the name given to Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11)
He has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him. (Colossians 1:22)
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to walk in him. (Colossians 2:6)
Next month we’ll begin looking at Who Is God the Holy Spirit!
Peace be with you,
Buster
July Celebrations
Birthday
03 Hunter Klein
08 Chris Hardin
07 Calder Thompson
12 Roxanne Haug
14 Cecil Hokamp
15 Wally Trietsch
20 Aubrey Teeter
22 Misao Hokamp
Anniversary
07 Jim and Jeanne Levelle
18 Kris and Stacy Schertz
30 Robert and Alyse Hokamp
Spotlight: Our Husband & Wife Worship Music Team
Robert Hokamp, Music Director
Robert was raised in Denton TX and has been a church music director since 2012 when he started at Blue Mound United Methodist Church.
He is a guitarist, bassist, and trumpeter and he plays in several rock-style combos.
He has a Bachelor’s degree from S.U.N.Y. Purchase and a Master’s in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas. Robert enjoys reading, shopping for CDs, and swimming
Alyse Hokamp, Musician
Alyse Hokamp has been a church accompanist and musician since 2013, when she got her very first church job at Blue Mound United Methodist Church.
Alyse holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Flute Performance from the University of North Texas. She is an active performer and teacher of flute and piano. When she’s not practicing flute, piano, or organ, she enjoys playing with her two kids, sewing her own clothes, and doing yoga.
Note: They married in 2014. They left Blue Mound for a time due to other commitments, but are back to serve as our music team. Next time you see them, thank them for their wonderful contribution to our Sunday Worship.
Old Fashion Saying but True: They Make Beautiful Music Together.
They will celebrate their wedding anniversary on July 30.
July Calendar
03 Holy Communion
Special 4th of July Celebration, 5 p.m.
10 Second Sunday Lunch, Noon
23 Family Fellowship Night, 6:00 pm Fun, Games, and Food.
There are so many events during a month’s time that they cannot be included in this newsletter.
Please check with a friend, the Sunday Bulletins and/or our weekly email updates for more information.
Tuesday Events
Everyone is welcome to join us by Zoom or in-person at the Church:
Prayer Team at 1 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84672206545
Followed By
Pastor’s Bible Study at 2 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83791164902
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
