It seems like it has been a while since I last posted a sermon. I wanted to get the recording for the Spanish sermon, but it might be best that is lost forever. Everyone said they gave it a B+; I thought it was a C. The translation was good and made it easy for me to follow. I was playing minds games with that sermon. There was something about having it translated, which meant I had to have it all done and typed, that threw me...
Of all the things I would like to say to you this coming year, this is not one of them:
"I'm a giver, not a taker. I'm not a burglar.That was one DFW minister's response to charges brought against her. She allegedly broke into a church member's home and stole thousands of dollars worth of stuff on Christmas. Forget for a second all the ethical issues, my thought now if I'm the church member is, "Why did that reporter just flash my house on television and...
The city of Irving did not collect trash last Friday. Likewise, they won't be coming around this Friday either. How are we supposed to celebrate and enjoy our holiday celebrations with trash piling up. How inconsiderate a decision to make.
So, as I have had to make several leaps over our mound of trash full of used wrapping paper, dinner plates and boxes I am reminded of this cartoon.
Our Christmas celebrations were wonderful. ...
Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJ...
Our family wishes yours a very merry and blessed Christmas celebration. Go to church tonight; you'll be glad you did.
Stay blessed...john
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Don't worry. If you can't read the announcement above, it's not a bad thing. Our church is offering its first Spanish worship service. I, and I think a few more of us, am pretty excited.
Yes, I'm preaching. Brittani says I sound too much like a "white guy." I told her her momma sounds like a white guy. Plan A was for me to preach in Spanish. Plan B was for me to preach in English and have someone interpret. ...
A few years ago I wanted to connect with the members and friends of the church I was serving. Sunday morning worship, joining with God's people, is a blessing for me. I even get paid to lead it. That is an important part of our faith development.
It is limited, however. There isn't time to talk about life. There isn't time to enjoy life. That happens outside of our sanctuary walls. Honestly, I am not the pastor you think, "Wow! How does she/he think...
The latest edition of our church's newsletter is available to view or download (click here if you're reading by email):
Open publication - Free publishing - More newsletter
When the semester is over (tests and papers!) there is a little tweaking I want to do with it. For example, the calendar page tends to get crowded with information; I would like a different format that is easier to read. Also, I would like to add a member/new member profile section...
Here are a few ongoing calendar items of mine. Please don't hesitate to stop by the office or give me a call (972.438.1431) if you need to talk about anything. This is just to let you know where I might be at certain times; it's a rough look at what I am usually doing.
Tuesdays
I'll be at Perkins until noon.
I am leading a Disciple I study group every Tuesday night from 7:30-9:30.
Wednesdays
Back at Perkins in the afternoon.
Thursdays
I lead our church's...
Today Ashlei turns the big 9. Happy birthday Baby Girl. We love you and are very proud of you. Thanks for sharing your birthday with me....
A fresh new episode featuring: Demi Harriston David Rangel Korean Central UMC and other great topics that will impact the North Texas United Methodist Community Video Production: Wil Murphy Noe Hernandez Jackson Harkey Anchor: Sheron Patterson Voice: Rosalinda Luna
+NTC N...
Yesterday's service was a blessing! We welcomed a new member to Oak Haven. I heard Bishop Norris speak about visiting churches and having the pastor, usually a young pastor (I'll leave that alone), ask him what he expected to happen in the service. His answer was, "Something that isn't in this bulletin."
We went through the typical liturgy to welcome someone into membership. This was the first time I included a congregational response to the liturgy....
So, do you have anything against my full head of hair? Do you find it difficult to understand my football loyalties? Then do something about it.
In this month's edition of Under the Oak you will find out just how to grind your ax. Also, you can read about something a lot less picayune on page 2. It is a great story.
Enjoy!
Open publication - Free publishing - More newslet...
How will I feel next Sunday when I give a sermon that is not part of a series? Two months (almost) in a series helps keep things ordered for a busy schedule.
This was the final sermon in our series entitled Is That Church Growing? Whether you have heard the sermons or not I'd be interested to hear what you think "growing" churches have in common, or what are practices/attitudes of growing churches?
My favorite line from this sermon...
Brittani says we should do a video like this for Oak Haven. Yes!
Let's Hear it For Bay Shore (Music Video) from Andrew Mason on Vimeo.
+ChurchCr...
Before you continue reading you might want to make up your mind what label is more useful for you to use for your local minister…preacher….reverend….brother/sister in charge...or whatever else there is to call that person(s) your church pays to know more than the average lay person.
You’ve probably met both, and many in between. Remember Mr., Dr., Rev., New Sliced Bread, II, Ph.D, WWE. Don’t hate him. There are also those for whom it made more sense to...
If one meeting is indicative of anything, our Disciple I group will be a lively one. We met for an informational meeting last week. All I did was talk about the elements of each lesson, necessary participation and what materials to bring. From that a good discussion arose about the ministry of the church. Oh, the places we will go!
I opened the meeting by making reference to many people’s concerns about participating in Disciple. The entire length...
A great song. If you cannot listen to the player below click here. I couldn't find a music video, but you can follow the lyrics.
What would I have become
If you'd never stopped to pull me through
What would this life had done
If you'd never whispered liberty
I heard you sing so sweetly a song of love
Jesus how sweet the name
The name that saves
Jesus how sweet the sound
The sound of grace
The sound of praise
The sound that saves
So many songs...
Yesterday's sermon was the fourth in our series entitled Is That Church Growing? I was looking forward to this one. It was a little different than usual. The focus was on the young people and the church's ministry with them. Here's a quote:
We've done a good job of giving our young people things that make like more comfortable, but the church has done a poor job of giving them things that make life meaningful.
As always, you...
That Oak Haven website outviewed this site once again last month! Those UMW loved that directory post; helped me catch up, but I couldn’t get ahead.
Now, I want you to keep helping Oak Haven. Are you on Facebook? Most of you probably are. Oak Haven is, too. When I set up that account I didn’t know all the rules. I just agreed to the terms. You probably did too! All that means is that the Oak Haven UMC account most people are familiar with is set...
HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck. Ricky, age 10 (The boy already understands)
That is only one question answered here. Take a look at the list for your dose of relationship help. Enjoy your Friday! Stay blessed...jo...
Would you rather do this or visit the dentist?
Gloria makes a return to the dentist's chair today. Let's hope this takes care of everything. When we were younger we made a bet concerning our teeth. First one to have them fall out owes the other a brand new car. We'll see how this visit turns out.
A few random thoughts about the dentist:
Dentists can be frustrating. You wait a month-and-a-half for an appointment, and they say, "I...
Here is a great thought for your day from Peter at beauty of the bible:
If you really want to get to know God, you have to be willing to get to know a God completely different from the God you think you know.What do you think? How easy is it to get God to mirror what we would like God to be? What are some of the things we discover when we choose to know a "different" God?
Stay blessed...j...
I am extremely excited about Oak Haven's youth ministry. We are starting from the ground up. There is no model; there have been no young people to teach or guide. Now, we have an opportunity to develop, teach, nurture and lead our young people, and those adults WHO WILL minister with them. And it all begins this Sunday afternoon!
What do you think is important for a youth ministry to be faithful? Are there some things that are...
The role of the United Methodist Women cannot be understated. They do so much to raise awareness of issues surrounding justice and mission in our church. I’ve always appreciated their efforts to raise money and do good. I haven’t always been the greatest UMW member; school has kept me from many meetings. So, when I was asked to help update the UMW directory for Oak Haven, I wanted to do something special. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what that would...
First, watch the video below (or here). Then decide what song is in your heart right now. Maybe you don't have a Hallelujah Chorus right now. That's okay. There are no right or wrong answers. This is your Music Monday. I think I have two right now. This one and this one, in no particular order.
So, let's hear your song.
Stay blessed...j...
We finished the church newsletter yesterday. Most people have to wait 2-3 working days to view theirs, or get their copy on Sunday morning. Not you! You get to first crack. See how awesome you are.
Open publication - Free publishing - More newsletter
Stay blessed...j...
Are You Prepared for Charge Conference?
I'm in the final stages of preparing our charge conference booklet. Our annual meeting has a different format this year. Next Sunday we are joining other Irving congregations for a joint worship service at Plymouth Park UMC, then each congregation moves to a room for their own charge conference. In part, I suppose, this helps eliminate administrative hours for the D.S. That was one of the goals...
You know how it goes. The pastor asks the congregation to "turn in your Bible to the book of..." Half the people spend the first minute trying to find where that book is. Some are brave enough to use the Table of Contents (that's what they're for!). Obviously, the more you read the more you know. So, read.
However, it is easy to get lost in the biblical world, especially if you are just trying to find a starting point. Funny names, unfamiliar places...
Here is the sermon from yesterday. It is the second sermon in a 7-week series entitled Is That Church Growing? There are many things I’m an excited about here at Oak Haven. Still, I don’t want to give any impression of my answer to the series’ question.
I did leave out an important connector in this sermon. Towards the end, after the balm in Gilead reference, I did not connect the idea of the church’s role in praying for that hope and healing like I should...
Happy Birthday, Britt. You can't imagine how proud your dad is of you. Yes, even though you wear 3-D glasses (with no lenses, mind you) everywhere. Maybe that's a reason to be proud.
Love yo...
You have got to get you the Spat Solver; it's what you need!
The heat of July is upon us. Do what you can to stay cool. These links will not help you do that, but are still worth checking out.
Does The Office have one of these?
When you can't be there to tell them a bedtime story.
If Twitter Isn't Christian Enough for You
Take the Michael Winslow Movie Quiz
The Best Pie Chart Ever
Some Things You May Not Know
Your Toy Story 3 Easter...
I know I’m a few days late. It’s been 2 years and three days since Hurricane Ike hit Galveston. Galvnews.com gets a daily hit from my laptop. Of course, all my family is in the area. I think I may have already mentioned that.
So, to bring you, my online reading family, to Galveston I want to share with you this link from The Galveston County News. It’s called Hope and Resurrection. Shouldn’t that be a sermon title? Still, you get the impression that...
I have to confess; I was not familiar with the ministry of Bishop Mathews. During the summer I took a UM History course. One of the reading assignments was Matthews' autobiography entitled A Global Odyssey. At first, the just under 500 page book seemed like another daunting addition to a course book list. However, I was glad I read it. I can't imagine living a life full of accomplishments and experiences that would require that...
Okay, Gloria wasn't thrilled about me sharing her video coverage on the Irving channel. So, you'll have to ask her to show you where that is. John Fletcher, however, is taking this time to be as self serving as he can be right now (third person is always the place to begin).
This was the second time I was asked to give the invocation at the city's council meeting. Last year I left a little ticked, but got over it. A councilperson's laptop magically turned...
In preparing for the beginning of this semester I came across Microsoft’s OneNote program. It came with the Office Suite I ordered a couple of years ago, but I never paid any attention to it. I was trying to sync my relatively new phone to my computer so I could have my classes, tasks and contacts up to date. As I did that OneNote opened.
So, I started messing around with it. I think I like it. Essentially, it’s a multi-subject notebook—all in one place,...
Last week I told you about our upcoming sermon series. This past Sunday we began the series Is That Church Growing?
You can listen to the first sermon of the series by clicking here or using the player below. Beware: the recording didn't come out like it should. I tried my best to make it easier to listen to. Sometimes that happens.
You can view the bulletin we used for our service as well by clicking here. Let me know what...
At this point we have enough people to begin a Disciple I group. I think this is an important element of Oak Haven's growth. So, thanks for praying with me, and keep praying.
I think I am going to share this picture with the group.
Those of you who have participated in a Disciple study probably realize how true this is, and that Disciple's goal is to get past that. What do you think? What are your Disciple I, II, III or IV experience? I've only met...
Let’s talk about sermons (not those). Specifically, let’s make mention of the sermons those Chosen ones at Oak Haven hear each Sunday—mine. I was somewhat surprised, but of course grateful, when I noticed recently our sermon count. As some of you know, in addition to being posted on this site, the church’s weekly sermons are available at www.oakhavenumc.org. I’ve told you before about the sermon player we use. It is great; I can’t personally do it right...
I am grateful for the rain. We needed it. Our water was tasting funny and our grass was suffering, etc. Of course, with rain comes flooding, car accidents and endless newscasts about them. That is so frustrating. We watch local news in the morning as we are getting ready for the day. When it rains like it has the past two days there is nothing else worthy of reporting. Some people probably appreciate that. I...
Summer time is over for us. It's back to the grind of school schedules and other activities. I thought I would share some pictures of some of the Fletchermints during the hot days of summer. .
Stay blessed...john
It's a party
Gloria and Oprah
Lovebirds
First day of school
Posing in the water
Another pose
Family visit
Nice moves
Feeding the ferry birds
Grandma and her baby gi...
I'm not sure which translation this represents, but I thought it was funny when I first read it. Thanks, Parks.
On the first day, God created the dog and said:
'Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years.'
The dog said: 'That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?'
So God agreed.
On the second day, God created...
Here is the final sermon in our latest series entitled Chosen. I would be interested to hear your comments or observations from the last three weeks. I am beginning another series next week related to this post; it's entitled Is That Church Growing?
You can listen to today's sermon below or, if you're reading by email, you can click this link. Also, if you visit the sermon channel you can view a copy of our bulletin. Let me know if you think that is a...
These pictures came in an email a few weeks ago (Thanks, David). Some of these are pretty funny. God separating the clothes is good, and Jesus being rejected is hilarious! I figured you could use a laugh. Which one do you like...
