Dear Friends,

Loud music, canoeing, volleyball & foursquare, swimming, boys & girls flirting, fun memories, lives changed forever. I’m glad to say, youth camp hasn’t changed much over the years. Paul and I were honored to be the evening preachers last week at the United Methodist Warren Willis Camp. While Paul preached to the high school students late in the evening, I had the 4^th and 5^th graders right before dinnertime. Our theme for the week was “Rethink” -as in rethink your life, God’s love, your choices, your service. I must say getting across theological truths such as brokenness, sin, righteousness, unconditional love, and salvation to ten and eleven year olds was not always easy. I tried to use familiar metaphors to get across the messages ones like the broken & misused toys from Toy Story movies, the oil spill in the Gulf, my own love for my children even when they do something bad like spill a gallon of blue paint on the carpet.

And this is exactly why Jesus taught in parables. Jesus offered parables where people could recognize the truth in familiar stories and illustrations although not everyone got the message. We continue this week in our Sunday series on Parables from Luke by reading the Rich Fool in Luke 12. The man accumulates more and more possessions, thinking it will make him happy or will come in handy one day. In fact, he gets so much stuff (in this case, crops), he thinks he needs to build bigger places to store it. We don’t have to think hard to see the parallels for our modern lives. We build bigger houses or bigger retail stores for the same misguided reasons. But there is a better way, a better way to live, one that will actually last for eternity not just our short lifetimes. I encourage you to come to church and consider a simple message in a powerful story. Many times, I think the kids get the message better than we do.

Peace,

Pastor Amber

· Welcome to our church! Hilary Jemeson, Denise Jemeson, and Melanie Davis our newest members. It was a thrill to celebrate Hilary’s baptism last Sunday and we pray for blessings on her life after UF (go Gators!)

· Save Your Saturdays! On Saturday July 24^th and July 31^st we will be having church-wide workdays to finish preparations on the Annex for the FIU Wesley interns. Together with students we will move in furniture, paint, hang curtains, etc. We need EVERYONE’S HELP to make the August 1^st move-in date!!!

· Flea Market is Coming! Next Sunday wear your comfy clothes & shoes. We’ll be accepting your donations after church and moving items from the Annex garage to the Fellowship Center. Sorting will be done throughout the week of July 26-29. Sale dates are Friday the 30^th 8am-12pm; and Saturday the 31^st from 8am-2pm.

· Pastor Amber will be on vacation from 7/15 to 7/21. We welcome Rev. Beth Bostrom of the Wesley Foundation of UM this Sunday. There will continue to Summer Bible Study as we read through the Gospel of Luke together (this week: Luke 5-6)

On Sunday, we will be celebrating two occasions that remind us of sacrifice: Holy Communion and the Fourth of July. Indeed, this will be the theme of the next parable we read from Luke, The Good Samaritan. During the summertime, we’re usually just thinking of having fun, relaxing, beating the heat, getting neglected projects done, finally getting around to some family time or road trips. Let’s be honest, these are activities that are pretty self-centered although some catching up is necessary and some self-care is important. But the name of the game around the 4^th of July is usually “FUN.” So, I must admit I feel a bit like a party-pooper talking about sacrifice.

Yet, I think we would all agree the reason we can celebrate our political & social freedom is because of the sacrifice made by soldiers, families, statesmen, etc. of the past who took a stand for a new way of life. And we rejoice in that sacrifice. Why shouldn’t we rejoice in the greater sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us that we may have new life eternally? Our worship time this week will give thanks for the greatest freedom of all…the freedom from sin and death that Jesus bought when his blood was shed for our souls. I look forward to seeing you Sunday, and talking about what sacrifice means in our lives today.

Next week, there won’t be an eDevotional email as we’ll be in Leesburg at the Warren Willis youth camp. Although we don’t have any CRUMC youth attending, Paul and I will be speakers at the evening worship. Please pray for our time at camp next week and all camp sessions—there are 3,000 youth attend the camp throughout the summer. We will be speaking to children and youth from small & large churches, some with lots of church experience & some with none, some with friends attending & some coming alone. Pray for the words we use, relationships in small groups, worship time, and even travel mercies! Thank you!

Peace,

Pastor Amber

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· The Food Pantry needs food donations. Last week we gave away all prepared bags, and sent Jean Welsh immediately to the grocery to re-stock. Please pick up those “buy-one-get-one” specials and bring them next time you come to church. Thanks!

· Little ones love the new nursery in room 201. Starting THIS SUNDAY, we need 1 volunteer per Sunday to help Miss Star especially for bathroom and playground time. You can be a parent, teen, or just “young at heart” to help this ministry.

· Children’s Church will be on “summer break” for the month of July. Activity bags will be provided for kids ages 4-10 for use during the worship service. Please consider getting involved in this growing ministry; we’ll be re-organizing supplies and looking for additional volunteers for the fall. Contact Pastor Amber if you can help.

· No Men’s Breakfast this Sunday but we look forward to seeing everyone in church on this 4^th of July Sunday.

· Please note the church office will be CLOSED all next week (July 5-9) while Pastor Amber and family are at Leesburg. Please call Dot Bardsley (305-238-8824) for pastoral care needs or Marilyn Horne (305-992-0470) for building use needs. All announcements for the bulletin on 7/11 should be sent to the office by this Thursday, July 1^st, at 1pm.

Hello All!

Last week, I travelled to Lakeland for our Annual Conference of Florida United Methodist churches), and also take a day to visit Disney with the boys. This is why there was no E-Devo in your inbox…in case you wondered. Coming back tired, I worked late on a sermon about the fears of life and death that hover around most of us. God is gracious because I believe He spoke to many of you on Sunday morning about facing and letting go of some of those fears. If you’ve been in my office at the church, you may have noticed a framed print I have over my desk. It’s a quote from James Baldwin which says, “Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing is changed until it is faced.”

This is certainly true of our fears. We cannot change the fact of death in this earthly life. But we can change our attitude towards it. One of the ways we can transform this fear is by living fully yet “prepared to die.” (I know easier said than done.) But this is an attitude of faith –faith that something better is to come, faith that God will take care of our loved ones even when we are no longer present, faith that God’s promise to never leave or forsake us includes the mystery of death. It’s also a practical stance, to “always be prepared.” I can’t control what may happen to me in life, but I can control if I’ve expressed my love and faith to others, if I’ve left my affairs in order, if I’ve sought forgiveness and reconciliation, etc. This is what it takes to live well and die well.

It also takes a deep trust that God is good enough, strong enough, and wise enough to help us conquer our fears. This Sunday, on Father’s Day, we will talk about how God our Heavenly Father cares for us. Like the mysteries of life and death, there are some aspects to God’s care that we struggle with, namely God’s discipline. The Bible tells us, like a good earthly father, our Heavenly Father will set boundaries for us, give us correction, even be stern to get our attention, and yes there are consequences for our sin. God also provides big, strong arms for us to lean on during life. In many ways, we find shelter and safety in God’s arms, especially in those fearful days and nights.

I’m looking forward to seeing you at church and the Covered Dish Luncheon after worship. Dessert and drinks will be provided. Dress casually!

Peace,

· FLUMC email is down this week. Pastor Amber asks that you send email to the church (cruni@bellsouth.net) or call her at the church (305-235-6651) or her cell phone (305-951-2759)

· Tonight, Pastor Amber’s Summer Bible Study begins! We’ll be discussing the Gospel of Luke. Meet in the Choir Room 6:30-7:30pm. All are welcome throughout the summer.

· Vacation Bible School is next week! We are still looking for ONE more adult to assist with the activity stations. Also, we only raised $28 in the recent mission box for VBS. Your financial donations will help us buy the supplies still needed to make this a RENEWING experiencing. Thank you for your support!

· An Adult Class of VBS is also offered. We will be meeting in the Choir Room 6:30-8pm

Monday- The Bible and Creation Care

Tuesday- Green Tips for your Home (*previously listed on Thursday)

Wednesday- The Poor and the Enviornment led by Rev. Paul Massingill

Thursday- The Gulf Oil Spill led by Brett Pierce, FIU Teaching Assistant in Marine Biology

Friday- The Parable of the Sower

· Saturday, 6/19, let’s make a garden! Starting at 8:30am. Gardeners will enjoy preparing the soil for our new vegetables & flowers to be planted by the kids. Bring gloves, trowels, shovels, hoes, clippers, etc. There may also be some work to move boxes across the parking lot from the Annex.

· Welcome New Members! We are thrilled to welcome CRUMC’s newest members: Jerlyn Osbourne, Robert Dunning. Please be sure to get to know the folks around you at church. Have you seen any of your “pew neighbors” missing lately? Give them a call or send a note! Blest Be the Tie that Binds Us Together!

I hope you enjoyed this recent series on “Christians in the City” as much as I have. Thanks for your positive feedback after this week’s message about the workplace. We talked about being a witness in 3 ways: our integrity (sincerity whether people are looking or not), our purpose (work for the Lord and His reward), and our work ethic (do your best). Many seemed to appreciate the poem by Mother Teresa so I’ve included it at the bottom. It is certainly inspiration to live by!

This sermon series is not the only thing I’ve received a lot feedback on lately. The marquee quotes have generated a lot of discussion. In case you’ve only noticed one side and not the other here’s what it has said and what I’ve heard since Mother’s Day. One side reads, “Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.” This quote is actually attributed to Oprah Winfrey, a person who has tried to mentor many young women directly and indirectly. Of course, I can think of many qualities of a mother (especially a good mother) that matter more than biology: kindness, patience, wisdom, nurture, endurance, resolve. Unfortunately, you can be a biological mother and not possess these important qualities, or have them and be more like a mother than some will ever be. Keep praying for all mothers and mentors and the prayer requests that were shared!

The other side of the marquee is a quote from Proverbs 31 saying, “A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” The full verse actually says, “Charm is deceptive; beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” This is the statement that I’ve received the most comments and questions about, in particular the phrase “fear of the Lord.” (You probably see that we added an explanation to its meaning.) Some were perplexed, even bothered, by the admonition to fear the Lord. The Biblical understanding of “fear of the Lord” is utter respect to the ultimate authority. This respect involves reverence, awe, and wonder, and maybe a little healthy fear—like you would give to a good mother or father who sets guidelines out of love. Our job as Christians and the Body of Christ is to display to all the love and acceptance of God, but also the positive reverence that God deserves. We’ll be changing the sign soon, but I hope and pray these conversations will be redemptive and helpful, and that by digging into scripture there will be spiritual growth.

Peace,

Pastor Amber

“Do It Anyway” –Mother Teresa

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;

· Saturday, May 22, from 8—11am you can pick up SHARE food packages. Also, you can come order packages for June. New Prices: family of 2- $20; family of 4- $24; produce only $12

· Sunday is Pentecost Sunday- wear RED to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit.

· This Sunday is the first New Member info session. Anyone is welcome to meet at 9:15am in the Fellowship Center, or catch the next one on June 6. Call Pastor Amber if you would like to join the church but cannot make either date.

· Sunday, June 6, is Graduate Sunday! If you know anyone graduating or having a milestone this year, let the office know, so we can include them in our recognition. We will also be recognizing our volunteers with Children & Youth.

· VBS is coming soon! Please sign up to volunteer at an activity station or register your child/children by the end of May, so we can get to planning!

· All June/July newsletter announcements are due by Monday, May 21^st. Thanks for your contributions!

Dear Friends,

Sunday mornings we sing to God, learn from scripture…folks are warm and kind. You receive hugs and caring questions like “How are you doing? How’s your family?” Or comments like, “We missed you,” or “Thanks for your help.” We pray for each other like we did for all the Mothers’ requests that were submitted. Then, comes Monday. Thoughtful conversation seems replaced by “water cooler” talk of what he or she did last weekend. All the caring friends may disappear as you find yourself alone at home or in a cubicle. No more words of thanks or sacred music to fill your ears; instead only words of blame and complaint seem to float around. You may not even think to pray again until the middle or end of the week…maybe when you open this email

Don’t feel bad, you’re just in exile. This isn’t the promised land yet, I’m afraid. We get glimpses of God’s kingdom at church, at home, even at work because God reveals himself in infinite and unexpected ways. But we are “not yet” living in God’s City, the New Jerusalem. We’re in Miami to be exact. Indeed, I saw in the newspaper that this weekend the world’s largest “adult entertainment” expo will be held in our city. God help us! I do happen to know there will be Christian outreach in and around the event. Please be in prayer for these souls this weekend!

Remember Jonah who didn’t think Nineveh would repent from its idolatry. But God cared for that city wanted to save those souls. Remember the words of Jeremiah to Israel while it was in exile: “seek the peace and prosperity of the city….pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper (29:7).” Remember Jesus who wept for Jerusalem and longed to protect and restore it.

For some, the workplace or public marketplace is the place when they feel most “in exile” in a foreign land from their chosing. Of course, many have positive work environments with caring friends (thank God!), but for each one I’ve heard like that, there is another person who struggles to reflect a Christ-like example among strong negativity and temptations. This Sunday, we will talk about our Witness in the Workplace. For those who don’t work, this can apply to any public place that you do business—in stores, with service people, etc. This is your LAST chance to send me photos & stories with you at work, with your colleagues, with your mailman, whatever! Can’t wait to see you again…

Peace,

· You’d be interested to know that there will be a Public Meeting regarding Roadway Improvements to Old Cutler Road on Monday, May 24 at 6pm at the South Dade Library. Plans for this $7.5 million project could likely impact our church and preschool and neighborhood.

· Continue to pray for the Gulf Coast communities affected by the oils spill and Nashville and Mid-west communities affected by severe weather.

· Please continue to pray for any “Mother’s Prayer Request” you picked up on Sunday. One praise report came in from a Mother…Peggy Batey shares that her daughter, Glenda’s, cancer is gone! Thank God!

“So, what is ‘young’?” a worshipper asked Sunday after my sermon on reaching the next generation. Great question! While there’s a lot to be said about being “young at heart,” I was primarily talking about those under the age of 30. In case you missed it, I shared that there 2 ways we can our witness to the next generation more effective. 1) Offer worship that goes beyond the program. Our printed programs contain a lot of traditions that young people may not understand, yet they still are very interested in connecting with the Divine through traditional and creative rituals. 2) Build community beyond the walls. We gather on Sundays and assume we have a community even though we may actually not know that much about one another! Young people build community by sharing stories over the internet, in coffeehouses, on trips, over meals, and it should include church, too.

In the end, I asked you to share your story especially with your family this Mother’s Day. For the sake of our Christian witness, let’s not merely come to church or have a lunch to make Mom happy. Share your story of what church means to you, what the love of a parent or your heavenly Father means to you. How has God helped you to be a better mother, father, daughter, or son? Your story will prepare you well for our topic for Sunday: Being a witness in our families. No matter if your family includes small children or elderly parents or distant relatives, we’ll be talking about influencing those closest to us with the compassion of Christ. Plus, look for a special Mother’s Day prayer opportunity when you arrive!

Peace,

· Pray for the communities of the Gulf Coast affected by the oil spill and the Nashville-area affected by flooding.

· This Sunday is the last day to order May SHARE food packages. The new prices are as follows: Basic for 2 ($20), Basic for 4 ($24), Produce only ($12)

· Thanks to all those who donated blood last Sunday!

· Thank you for your continued support of the Major Repairs Fund. We ask you to prayerfully consider any additional support you can offer for this fund and the Annex/Housing fund.

What a wonderful time we had on Children’s Sunday this last week! It was great to have families and staff from the preschool to join us. Thanks to the volunteers and parents for making it special. Our theme was Creation Care for Earth Day, but as one preschool child put it, “Every day is Earth Day!” It is our job every day to help care for Creation; it’s God’s purpose for us from the beginning in the Garden. Besides being faithful to God’s instructions, we are responsible to pass on clean, life-giving earth for our children.

The same is true for the church and faith…one generation must pass on their faith to the next generation in a way that not merely preserves life but promotes it. We don’t just want our young people to survive we want them to THRIVE spiritually, as well as physically. This coming Sunday we’re going to talk about being a witness for the next generation, how to build the church of the future. Some of it is about telling the story of generations past, but some of it is also about letting go of the past so the new generations can write their chapter in the narrative of God’s people. I heard it once said that “traditions are the still-living practices of those who have died, while traditionalism is the dead practices among those still living.” Food for thought!

What traditions do you love in the faith? What traditions do you think can be left behind or adjusted for the sake of new generations? And what’s the difference between tradition and ritual? I look forward to talking with you about these things and worshipping our Lord together!

Peace,

Pastor Amber

THIS SUNDAY-

· Men’s Breakfast, this Sunday (5/2) at 8am. All are welcome to join us for a delicious hot breakfast and fellowship.

· After church plan to stay for the community Blood Drive. The Blood Mobile will be here until 2pm.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED-

· The Food Pantry has the opportunity to start receiving fresh produce from a source called Farm Share in Homestead. We will need 2-3 volunteers to alternate picking up the produce each week. Pick up days are either Tuesday or Thursday mornings. If you’re available to serve please see Donna Portal.

· Do you live close to the church? Some of our worshippers walk to church. On Sundays with rain or heat, a ride to church would be nice. If you are willing to pick up someone on those mornings, please give your name and number to Pastor Amber.

· As CRUMC moves forward with converting the Annex into intern housing, we need to form a task force. If you have any interest in the following areas you may want to consider volunteering for the group: Children and Nursery space, Food Pantry, Craft Group, renovation and decorating projects. We need people who can work during May/June/July. Can you help? See Pastor Amber

Have you heard there’s a new Christian radio station in Miami? LifeFM at 90.9 started broadcasting about a month ago. They play great contemporary Christian music and offer preaching/teaching throughout the day. The station is sponsored by Calvary Chapel, a non-denominational church.)

Dear Friends,

Has the city seemed different to you this week? No, I don’t think the city has changed much, but maybe your perspective is becoming different. I hope God is cultivating a deeper passion in you for the welfare of our city. On Sunday, we talked about having a sincere affinity for the people of our community, a love that leads us to share Christ with them. We looked at scripture highlighting God’s care for the city, and I asked you to consider taking 3 steps with me: 1) Grieve for the sins of the city and join in repentance 2) Pray for the city especially for its protection and peace 3) Seek the peace and prosperity of the city in active ways around you.

Our hymnal contains a section titled “Social Holiness,” which is another way of saying we reflect the holiness of God by how we act in relationships with those around us. However, churches rarely sing from this section. I guess our favorites hymns are in other sections like “Prayer, Trust, and Hope.” Consider the last line of a hymn called “All Who Love and Serve Your City;” Let this be our living message…

Risen Lord, shall yet the city be the city of despair? Come today, our Judge, our Glory, be its name, “The Lord is there!”

This is CHILDREN’S SUNDAY and we talk about being a witness for God’s creation. Of course, we can “think globally and act locally” in so many ways…ways we will continue to live out in our Green VBS “Renew.” I’m thrilled that the preschool children will be joining us to help lead worship in celebration of God’s creation. Read below for some ways we need help! See you Sunday!

Peace,

Pastor Amber

Prayer Concerns-

· CRUMC church family grieves with Marilyn Moon and family on the loss of her husband, Rev. Jack Moon on Friday, April 16. Jack was a retired Methodist pastor from Pennsylvannia and the two have lived here for a year with their daughter. Services are being held this week in Pittsburgh.

Children’s Sunday, 4/25-

· We are collecting items for our Earth Day craft. Please let the office know or drop off these items by Friday if you have them available: empty toilet rolls, empty egg cartons (foam only), mini-muffin paper cups.

· We need 2 volunteers to set up and serve snacks to the kids during Children’s Church. They will be making “mud” with chocolate pudding cups, crushed oreos, and gummy worms. Yummy!

Coming Sunday, May 2-

· 8am Men’s Breakfast. All are welcome to attend!

· The Blood Mobile will be here 10:30am-2pm. Please set aside some minutes to “save a life!”

So, last night I stopped by Starbucks. No, not for a coffee or some quiet time out of the house (but either of those reasons will usually get me there.) I went to Starbucks to participate in the Tuesday night Bible study held by our church there. The store had a few other lone customers and then this very excited group of Christians. You’d think they’d had one too many espresso but they are just that excited about studying scripture, their church, and sharing Christ with others. It was great, and it fits so perfectly with our next Sunday series: Christians in the City.

On Sunday, we looked at some of Jesus’ last words after his resurrection as he visited and taught his disciples for the last time on earth. His words are concerned with two main things 1) our understanding of Christ and 2) our witness for Christ. For the next five weeks, we will consider this last imperative particularly for us here in Miami… South Dade…Cutler Ridge. How are we to be witnesses for Christ here- in the places where we live, shop, work, go to school? Jesus instructs his disciples to wait in the city until they have been filled with the power of the Holy Spirit for their mission. Their mission will start in the heart of the city and take the gospel to all corners of the earth. Jesus knows the gospel mission can take hold in the city and grow under the power of God. It’s important for us to know that God has a plan for our city and, we, the Christians living in it are part of that plan. Redeemer Presbyterian Church, a vibrant church in New York City captures it so well in their vision statement: To build a great city for all people­—through a gospel movement that brings personal conversion, community formation, social justice and cultural renewal to New York and, through it, to the world.

As part of my sermon preparation and spurring our witness, I’m going to be asking and observing about what it’s like to be a Christian here for you. Some were born here; others of us have landed in Miami and are trying to grow where we’ve been planted. But all of us have a mandate to be witnesses for Christ. Send me your ideas about the series…invite me to your workplace…start praying about follow up and opportunities to “build a great city.”

Peace,

Prayer Concerns-

· Condolences are prayers are requested for the family of Suze Dudley, a CRUMC member who grew up in the church and recently lived in Boynton Beach; and Betts Kidson and her family in the death of her 19 year old granddaughter Lindsay Morris.

Coming Soon-

· Health Ministry Team meeting will be held after church this Sunday, April 18.

· Children’s Sunday, April 25^th- Staff and Students from our Preschool will join us to celebrate Earth Day. They will share their favorite bible songs from the year and we’ll see a slide show from Chapel with Pastor Amber

· Sunday, May 2, will be Men’s Breakfast at 8:30 and the Blood Drive Mobile will be here before and after the service. Please set aside a few minutes!