Pentecost Sunday at Shiloh UMC

 Have you ever wondered what the flames or tongues of fire looked like on the disciples heads that first Pentecost? Well, I have. I mean, there are puppy tongues, human tongues, cow tongues, and so on. I placed a battery operated tea light on my head to show what most people think it was like. A small, cute, cozy little flame, nothing too extreme. Then I asked Codey Toms to join me.

I had asked Codey if he would dye his mohawk like a flame and he agreed. He went to a lot of trouble to do this for me. It took him at least two attempts to make it work. He ran late getting to church and into the choir because of proplems with it Sunday morning, but he got it perfect. That is how I imagine the tongues of fire on that first Pentecost appeared to those disciples in that upper room. 

 The question to the congregation was "What does your flame look like? Is it comfortable and unassuming or is it extreme and in your face? Do people look at you because of the flame of Holy Spirit passion that you demonstrate in your life?"

Mother's Day at Shiloh UMC 2012

This was out first Mother's Day at Shiloh UMC.

We actually had enough young people for a improvised Children's Message, even if one of them was over 6 ft tall. I first asked them about special things that their mothers did for them. Most of those answers revolved around illness. Then I asked what they were going to do special for their mothers. These responses were a bit more varied, "I'm going to give her a card I made", "I'll smile at her", and my fav, "I'm going to leave her alone all day".

We had plants for the "Youngest Mother", "Youngest Grandmother", and "Newest Mother". Kate's mother, Kackie Allen, won the "Youngest Grandmother" and Kate won "Newest Mother". Kate's sister, Jane, almost won "Youngest Mother", got beat out by a year.

We then recognized all the ladies attending as "Godly Women" and had a special gift for them. We realized all time ago that everyone serves a mothering role to someone, at some time and so often it doesn't get recognized. They teach, mentor, comfort, and so many other acts of mothering, its a shame to leave anyone out.

I did ask them not to eat the Hershey bars during service.

Kackie, Leah, Eli, Jeremiah Luther, Kate, Jeremiah, Jane, and Thomas

Joanne and me with Eli, Jeremiah Luther, Leah, Kate and Jeremiah.

Joanne holding Jeremiah, Kate holding Leah, Kackie and Eli.

Jeremiah

Arrival of Jeremiah Luther Johnson

12 April 2012, Katie headed to Virginia Baptist Hospital to deliver Jeremiah Luther Johnson. He arrived weighing in at 7 pounds 15 1/2 ounces and was 21 inches from head to toe. He had a head full of hair and his grandfather, me, is trying not to be jealous.

Jeremiah, Joanne, and Katie's mom, Kackie stayed with her during labor.

Jeremiah Luther is our 6th grandchild, not that we're counting.

Jeremiah Luther Johnson

Jeremiah meets Grumpy

Jeremiah with his Marmee

Jeremiah meets his Great-Grandmother

Jeremiah with Great-Aunt Karen

Leah snuggles with her little brother

Bailey taking pictures of Jeremiah with Great-Grammy

Making faces with Aunt Karen

Great-Uncle Aaron carries Jeremiah out of the restaurant

Marmee and Jeremiah

Uncle Aaron and Jeremiah

Shiloh UMC Spring Fling

 The first Saturday of May The UMW of Shiloh UMC had their Spring Fling fundraiser. They started the Brunswick stew early and they had to keep stirring until it was ready. The hot dogs took several cooks and were ready for lunch.

 The folks in the kitchen had breakfast biscuits ready in the morning and fixed the hot dogs. The bake sale table had cakes, pies, cupcakes, brownies, cookies, and fried apple pies. Everyone was great, I tried it all so I know.

Even though we had rain of and on, we had a good crowd all day long. The yard sale items were varied and somehow Joanne ended up filling the back end and back seats of the car with things I didn't even see.

Thanks to an excellent turnout, the United Methodist Women were able to raise funds that will be used community outreach and mission projects. A special thanks to everyone that helped setting up, cooking, serving, selling, and taking everything back done.

First Sunday at Shiloh UMC

In April, I started serving as the Interim Pastor at Shiloh UMC in Forest VA. I am still appointed to Timberlake UMC until July and they have graciously loaned me to Shiloh.

I realize some of the pictures are a tad fuzzy, but I've been assured that I look better that way.

 This is a very "coming full circle" experience for Joanne and me. Joanne has had family in these pews for at least three generations. There is a stained glass window in the santuary dedicated to her grandparents.

 Joanne grew up attending Shiloh UMC, she went to Sunday School and played the piano here. Actually, when we were dating, I started coming on Sundays just so I could see Joanne more.

41 years ago this June, Joanne and I were married at Shiloh UMC, standing in front of that altar rail. I took part in Joanne's father's funeral standing behind that pulpit. In other words, there is a lot of history here that we are connected to and happily so.

 I asked the congregation, "How many of you were here when Joanne and I got married?" Quite a few people raised their hands. I then looked at them and said, "You didn't see this coming, did you?" Everyone laughed and more than a few shook their heads.

I can't say that I can see where the road is leading with this new move. But, the cool part is that I know who plans my intinerary and I know He has quite an adventure in mind.