Music – First Reflections

Thanks for the ministries

Kitty Williams

First United Methodist Church Garland …

I love the way this church bonds together to get ministry done.

Perhaps this German word, “gestalt” applies.

It means “an organized whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts.”

That is what happens here.

It is amazing to see how God works through people to bring God’s “kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.”

Serving with you has been my honor and pleasure.

Musically, I am always amazed at the beginning downbeat.

I am thankful for the years of practice from each individual making that one note (and the music that follows) a beautiful sound, in tune and on time.

There is an intangible understanding that causes music to inspire and move us to do God’s will.

So to all the choirs, all the tech people, all the set builders, all the financial supporters and all those who encourage and pray for the music at First United Methodist Garland, gestalt – thanks!

Rummage sale!

Does God work through fundraisers? Yes, on multiple levels!

First, it causes us to clean out the excess in our homes.

Second, we grow together as a community as we work and organize.

Third, we meet neighbors who don’t normally come into the building.

Fourth, items go to places where they are needed.

(I’m personally excited that a small church will be using the John Markley Sunday School class pulpit. There are several more stories about other items finding a perfect home. Ask me about it!)

Oh yeah – finally, Pure Joy! Youth Choir earned over $5,000 for their annual choir tour.

Pure Joy! is truly grateful! To all who donated, organized, and worked together on rummage sale – gestalt – Thanks.

This year Pure Joy! Youth Choir’s theme verse is Galatians 5:22-23:

“the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.”

As many of you know, because of school district schedules, we had a winter break choir tour instead of a spring break choir tour. We traveled to Atlanta, with stops along the way.

We sang in churches, a youth correctional facility and a halfway house for women.

As we brought the message to others, we learned what it means to truly live and walk by the spirit.

(I hope you were able to come to their show last Sunday.)

To all Pure Joy! Youth Choir members, Diane Owen (faithful accompanist,) the college students interns, youth choir parents, and to those who hosted us – gestalt – thanks!

To Betsy Henderson and all the children’s choir directors for the foundation that you give both musically and spiritually, gestalt – thanks!

Finally, I encourage you all to seek first the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ and do good. Make love your aim.

Sometimes, you might feel like you are not “good enough” or “spiritual enough;” however, as stated in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10:

“‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.”

Although we each have weakness, by humbly coming together, wonderful things happen for the upbuilding and glory of God’s kingdom.

To the people (both in heaven and on earth) of First United Methodist Church Garland for the past 16 years of ministry together – gestalt – thanks!

Giving as a spiritual discipline

Rev. Dr. Scot Bontrager, Senior Pastor

Last Sunday in worship, Mark Buford, our Director of Communications, shared during the Call for the Offering that, “God loves a cheerful giver.”

I wish I were always a cheerful giver.

I’m not (yet).

But I do give – sometimes with grumbles – because I value the mission and ministry of our congregation.

In the past several months, we have been publishing our financial status every week in the bulletin.

It is no secret that we are operating on a shoestring budget, and our staff works very hard to keep our costs low.

Like most households, one emergency or unexpected expense can cause chaos.

In my short time here we’ve had several emergencies: water leaking into the walls, flooded basements, broken elevator, failed fire inspections, and probably many things I’ve repressed.

This is the reality of having an aging building.

We have managed to meet our expenses each month, sometimes, without anything to spare.

If you are not currently contributing to the operating expenses of the church, I encourage you to make a pledge.

Every bit helps.

I know it seems trite to say, “the price of a cup of coffee each day …” but it is true, every bit helps.

Beyond one-time gifts, what helps the most are recurring gifts.

I have set it up so that my gift is automatically charged to my credit card twice a month. This is what works best for me.

For others, weekly, monthly or quarterly gifts are better.

Having pre-configured, automatic giving through direct draft or on a credit card helps us plan better.

Recurring giving levels out the seasonal ups-and-downs that stress our Finance Committee.

Our congregation has a tradition of giving to special designated funds, such as the Music Ministry or the Student Ministry.

In normal times this is wonderful, but designating your gifts to specific ministries restricts what the Finance Committee is able to do when things are exceptionally tight.

As important as youth and music are, we can’t have people in the building to sing and play without first paying our insurance and utilities.

My encouragement is that any designated gifts to special funds are made after you’ve given to the general operating budget.

I appreciate any gift, no matter how small.

Our ministry in Garland is important. Your contribution to our shared ministry is important.

Thank you for your gifts and tithes!

Are you ready?

Josh Medlock, Director of Student Ministries

So here we are. It’s almost Christmas Day.

Most of us have spent the last several weeks getting ready.

Maybe this year you purchased a real tree and spent time setting it up and decorating it.

Perhaps you are like others and retrieved the one kept in the box and set it up and decorated it.

We’ve bought gifts and wrapped them.

Well, Heather bought our gifts and wrapped them. I just signed the cards. She is much better at the gift thing.

Did you attend or host a holiday party?

Did the family gather and celebrate early?

Did you send your cards and letters out far and wide?

These are all wonderful things to do with your family and friends.

Soon, we will gather in familiar places with familiar faces and celebrate with family, friends and neighbors.

Together, we will sing the familiar carols, we will light and hold our candles, and we will retell that age old story.

Silent night, holy night,
wondrous star, lend thy light;
with the angels let us sing,
Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!

It will be beautiful. I hope you take time to take it all in.

But here’s the thing.

For all our preparation and for all the beauty around us, I can’t help but wonder if there is something more.

Something we miss in all our planning and preparation. All our decorations and gift giving.

So much of what we spend time and energy and money on has little to do with that simple, yet provocative, age-old story we read together each year.

A story so familiar we almost know it by heart.

A story about Mary and Joseph, a relationship filled with hardship from the get-go.

Difficult decisions to be made against traditions that point them in opposite directions.

A story about shepherds in a field. And Angels from the realms of glory.

A story so layered by tradition and Christmas card images, so softened by our focus on glowing candles that its meaning and challenge get lost in the grandeur of our celebrations.

We know the story, but maybe we miss the struggle and tension that truly make it wonderful and miraculous. The parts we don’t put in Christmas cards to family and friends.

Things like the stark contrast between the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus and Jesus, the Son of God … born in Bethlehem … laid in a manger.

Or King Herod, sitting on his throne in the palace, threatened by the prospect of a new king.

Or the harrowing story of Mary and Joseph making their way from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

And the Roman legions who patrolled the streets and countryside ‘imposing’ their peace.

Meanwhile, the heavenly host sings a proclamation of peace on Earth, good will to all.

As we hear the story, we are left to ask ourselves …

What is this story really trying to say?

Which side of the story will we choose as our own to guide and direct our living?

What does all this mean for us today?

What does all this mean for you today … with the world as it is and your life as it is?

If there’s something in this story about peace on Earth that weaves itself around some deep longing within you …

if there’s something in this story about everyone, not just the rich and powerful, having a place …

and if there’s something that brings into focus how you imagine life and this world might be, should be …

… then how are you getting ready for that kind of Christmas?

There’s something in this story about God with us that rings true for me … that tugs at my spirit.

God with us. Not over us. Not judging or condemning us.

God with us in this wonderful, complex, sorrowful, joyful thing we call life.

God with you and me. With us and them.

God here. God now.

Just as you are. Just as we are. Just as they are.

The cards and gifts, the trees and parties, the time spent with family and friends are important, and those memories can last a lifetime.

But remember the story. The whole story.

Christmas Day is almost here.

I pray that all of us can prepare for that kind of Christmas.

Are you ready?

Light in the darkness

Kitty Williams, Director of Music Ministries

St. Francis of Assisi once said, “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.”

The Christmas eve candlelight service is one of my favorite activities for Christmas celebration.

I remember the first candlelight service in our sanctuary at First United Methodist Church Garland. I think it was 1973.

Back then, there were no safety lights, no glow of cell phones and only boy scouts carried pocket flashlights.

So when the lights were out in the sanctuary, it was really dark!

Back then on Christmas eve, near midnight, after the Christmas story was read, after carols were sung, the sanctuary lights were dimmed and only the lone Christ Candle glowed.

The pastor then recited John 1:1-5:

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.

What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

It always amazed me how that single Christ Candle lit the whole sanctuary.

Then as we sang Silent Night, the sanctuary illumined even brighter and brighter.

And finally on the last verse, everyone lifted their candles so that the light became even more brilliant!

Our first Christmas eve Candlelight service began our years-long tradition, which offers the same message of light and life.

The Light came into the world!

We sometimes take for granted the power of lighting a candle in the dark.

A single light allows us to see everything more clearly.

With Christ’ light, we can have hope.

In Jesus, life in the light of God’s grace, this abundant life of peace, hope, joy and love is given.

I want to see the brightness of God. I want to look at Jesus.

Clear sun of righteousness, shine on my path, and show me the way to the Father.

In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike.

The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
Verse 2
United Methodist Hymnal #206

Thankfully, saving lives

Kitty Williams, Director of Music Ministries

Excitement – Worry – Anticipation – all these thoughts are going through the minds of those who have planned or are participating in Running 4 Clean Water tomorrow (4917 Duck Creek Drive, Garland, TX US 75043).

This year there have been some obstacles in planning.

But the outcome for the 2022 Running 4 Clean Water 5K is already successful.

Looking back through the years, we have always had setbacks in planning and carrying out the race.

But somehow each year seems to be as successful or better than the last.

I am so thankful for those leaders who persevere through all the meetings, planning, calling and fulfilling every last detail of the race (Willie Kamara, Nancy Sherlin, James Welker, Joey and Cindy Fisher).

I’m thankful for all those generous sponsors who see the vision.

I’m thankful for the City of Garland, which helps with the course.

I’m thankful for the volunteers, runners and walkers who make the 5K happen.

I’m thankful for Seven Hills Global Outreach and Zion Ministries.

I’m thankful for those who continue to pray for the work of our church.

I love to see how the Holy Spirit works despite our humanness!

Lives are being saved.

As a musician, I have lots of projects (musicals, dessert shows, KAMP, choir tours, cantatas, choir projects during COVID) that take a lot of teamwork to fulfill.

Through each endeavor, my faith grows because I give both myself and the project over to God.

So today, here is a prayer for this project – for the Running 4 Clean Water 5K/1 Mile Fun Run.

Loving God, thank you for the opportunity to gather as a community to participate in Running 4 Clean Water.

May our words and actions honor you.

Please give each participant, whether runner or volunteer, strength to finish the task set before them.

May we be kept safe and without injury.

Let this course be a reminder of our faith walk.

“Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”

May this year’s Running 4 Clean Water bring glory to your name as we give ourselves to you.

May those in Sierra Leone be blessed to do your good work through water and the Holy Spirit.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Wait on the Lord

Dr. Eldred Marshall, Artist-in-Residence, Associate Director of Music Ministries

It is no longer a state secret that I injured both of my hands in August and early September, which forced a wave of recital and concert cancellations in September and October.

What isn’t as well known is that this past Tuesday, I finally regained full use of my hands.

I know this because I practiced for four hours without realizing it – something I haven’t done since early August.

Unlike past incidents like tendinitis or simple overuse, this injurious bout took forever to heal – and involved two hands instead of one.

I was beginning to wonder if I was going to follow in the path of so many forgotten pianists of years’ past, whose careers died prematurely because they got injured and never fully healed.

Thanks to your prayers, God extended grace and mercy in my case.

Amid this ordeal, I discovered that I could still manage the harpsichord.

With my quill-plucking keyboard, I kept my soul nourished with a renewed relationship to the music of J. S. Bach.

As a result, I’m sharing some of this music in my upcoming recital – paying it forward, as we could all use some soul-healing in these trying times.

In scripture, we are exhorted to “wait on the Lord” quite often, in various contexts.

I will honestly attest that this ‘wait’ for the Great Physician was not fun, and at times I felt overlooked.

But in this, I learned that it is OK to ask for prayers; it is OK to ask for help; it is OK for the show to wait for a performer’s healing.

Above all, I learned that it is incredibly important to guard one’s mind and heart – critical to this is to surround oneself with a loving and supportive community.

Right now, nothing gives me greater joy than to report back to you that all is well. And I’m good to go, once more.

Thank you for your prayers.

True north

Kitty Williams, Director of Music Ministries

The theme verse for Pure Joy! Youth Choir this year is Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the spirit!

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

There is no law against such things.

This verse is part of a chapter that describes living “by the spirit.”

Those living by the spirit will reflect not only one, but all the fruit of the spirit described in this verse.

“Woah!” one may say. “That’s a lot of work.”

Our focus is not making sure we ‘do’ all the fruit. As Christians, our single focus is following the Holy Spirit.

Basically, our job is to trust in God through Christ by the Holy Spirit. God’s work handles the rest (the fruit in us.)

John 29:28-29 best describes it:

Then they said to him (Jesus), “What must we do to perform the works of God?”

Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

One of the songs the youth are learning is called True North, by a worship band from Northern Ireland band called Rend Collective.

Here are the abbreviated lyrics:

Oh, You are my true north
I will follow You into the dark.
I will follow You with all my heart.
I will not let the darkness steal the joy within my soul
I will not let my circumstance become my compass, no
I will not let the fears of life and sorrows of this world
Dictate to me how I should feel
For You are my true north.
I will not let my failures turn into the curse of shame
I will not walk beneath the clouds that taunt me and condemn
For I will stand on solid ground the shadow of Your love
Forgiven, changed, a heart renamed
For You are my true north, everybody sing
Oh, You are my true north.
I will follow You into the dark.
I will follow You with all my heart.

One of the students asked, “What is ‘true north,”

I gave a brief definition. But the question caused me to look it up! (Thank you, Google.)

There is the ‘magnetic’ north and the ‘true’ north. (How scientists figure this out is another discussion.)

This is what I learned:

The magnetic field of the earth changes. Therefore, if you only use a compass, you can be misled and get lost on the way to your destination.
To reach your desired destination, use the compass plus a ‘magnetic declination’ equation for the location (latitude.)

So how does this relate?

Basically, representing the ‘magnetic field’ – our emotions, world attitudes, cultural norms, religious rules and other voices can dictate our action. Following those guidelines, we miss the mark.

However, by seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit, our ‘magnetic declination,’ God’s kingdom can come on earth as it is in heaven.

The decision to follow the Holy Spirit is not a ‘one and done’ thing.

Trusting and believing is daily work, a daily decision.

“I will trust God today.”

The purpose of church community is to support each other in our daily decision of not what to do, but who to follow.

Miracles like Running 4 Clean Water, Good Samaritans of Garland, GLOWS (Garland Overnight Warming Shelter) and the support of knowing that you are loved will emerge.

Individuals and the church will bear fruit!

What do you do?

Josh Medlock, Director of Student Ministries

ne of the top three questions I get all the time is this:

“What do you do?”

This question often comes up when discussing my employment and where I work.

I used to tell people, “I work for the church.” That was it.

I said this because, when you tell people, “I am the Director of Student Ministries at First United Methodist Church Garland,” their response is usually something like, “Oh, so you are a pastor?”

Then I have to explain that I am not a pastor, since I am not ordained.

Which often leads to a discussion about the difference between a pastor and a minister and why that matters.

Much easier to say, “I work for the church.”

Truth is, if you are reading this, you probably also work for the church.

When we join the church, we take vows that state we will support our church with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness.

But I am not sure I like the phrase “working for the church.”

When I think about the way that sounds, to me, it sounds like I am working for a place.

I guess it might be better to say, “working in the church?”

But then what does that mean? Still sounds like I am working for someone or for an entity.

I don’t work for either. I work for God. It really is that simple.

I do not work at First United Methodist Garland because of the entity, its people, or how much I get paid.

I work here because I work for God. I feel called to ministry in a way that allows me to serve and utilize my gifts.

In the last year and half, I haven’t been happy about needing to use ALL of my gifts.

I didn’t realize when I left maintenance to work in ministry that I would be working maintenance as part of the ministry.

That is a real wordy way of saying I didn’t leave maintenance to go work maintenance. Yet here I am.

Was I bitter? Yep. Was I frustrated? You bet.

But I realize that this is all part of the ministry I am called to do.

I vowed to serve with my gifts. That means all the gifts I possess that God can use.

I don’t get to pick and choose. Lord knows I have tried. Let me assure you, that typically does not work out well in the end.

So why am I telling you this? And what is the point?

We all are called to serve God with our gifts. What is your gift?

Can you sing? There is a robe and folder with your name on it waiting for you.

Are you artistic? We have plenty of ideas for newsletters, posters and media that could use a professional touch.

Do you like to get your hands dirty?

Come help me in the elevator pit one day cleaning out debris and oil.

Push a broom, vacuum a room or two. Work in the flower beds. Clean a few glass doors or windows.

Maybe physical isn’t your thing. But everyone can serve God.

Your gift may be the gift of prayer.

Your gift may be, well, gifts. Perhaps you have been blessed and are in the position to bless others financially.

We are called to serve. We vow to serve. We are built to serve.

I need to get over myself sometimes and realize that, even though I may not like it, I am good at fixing stuff.

And if that is where God needs me, then I should probably listen and get to work.

It is all part of the ministry.

I hope and pray that all of you continue to find ways to be part of the ministry.

When words don’t come

Mark Buford, Director of Communications

Sometimes, the words just don’t come.

That’s a problem when it’s your turn to share a reflection.

And that’s when I’m reminded that listening is just as important as sharing.

So I listened.

Or more accurately, I read.

Colossians 3:1-11, to be precise.

One of the scriptures for this Sunday’s worship service at First United Methodist Garland.

And it was the last few words that caught my attention … Christ is all in all.

This reminds me of a song I used to sing back in my praise band days – You Are My All in All.

(Nichole Nordeman sings it far better!)

You are my strength
when I am weak,
You are the treasure
that I seek,
You are my all in all.

In these times of inflation and poverty and hunger and racism and political bickering and COVID and monkeypox and on and on and on, I am weak.

When I fall down
You pick me up,
When I am dry
You fill my cup,
You are my all in all.

Thankfully, I have a Savior who loves and watches over me to help me cope.

Jesus, Lamb of God,
Worthy is your name.
Jesus, Lamb of God,
Worthy is your name.

Amen.

Is God noisy?

Dr. Eldred Marshall, Artist-in-Residence, Associate Director of Music Ministries

Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake;

and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

– 1 Kings 19:11-12 NKJV

This past Wednesday morning began as every other since July 11: a walk along a noisy and crowded Flushing, Queens, New York sidewalk to the subway station, hoping and praying that an express train to Manhattan (Times Square/42nd Street) would be available.

However, a question randomly popped in my head.

“If humans are made in the image and likeness of God, is God noisy?”

I answered myself, “Well, God is hugely into music, just like us.

“He likes to hear choirs sing His praises. Even the heavenly bodies in the galaxy make sounds!

“And Jesus got killed for the noise He made while on Earth. Of course, God isn’t necessarily quiet.”

Later that day, after rehearsal, I decided to get some dinner before going to the piano practice studios near Lincoln Center in midtown Manhattan.

On a street corner near Penn Station (34th Street and 7th Avenue), I heard an accompaniment track playing the hymn tune HENDON, which is commonly sung to the text Take My Life and Let it Be.

In the near deafening noise that is lower Manhattan, I could faintly hear the song, and I started singing it out loud as I walked to the restaurant.

After dinner, I took the train up to Lincoln Center.

Because I was uncharacteristically early to my appointment, I sat in a park near the Tony Plaza.

A clock struck 7:00pm, and then I faintly heard synthetic church bells playing the iconic hymn Abide With Me.

As I was enjoying and soon about to sing along, a drumline marched down the street and completely drowned out this prayerful hymn.

I had a realization I felt impressed to share:

God chooses not to compete with our noise.

In fact, our being silent in His presence is one of the humblest acts we can perform.

It is our way of acknowledging that God’s “noise” is more important than our own.

Then I asked myself, “Do I keep myself too busy to allow the voice of God to be heard?

“Is my mind too polluted with the philosophies of this world to allow God to reveal to me what He wants me to see?”

I don’t know, but this past Wednesday in New York City gave me much to consider.