Serving In A Broken World

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (NLT) Matthew 9:35-36

Last Saturday morning when I arrived around 8am for the Family Food Ministry, already the crowds had gathered outside of McComas Hall. Moms with their children sitting with them, grandparents with their grandchildren, elderly folks walking in with their canes, a young couple with their newborn daughter, a young man just a few weeks after coming home from a treatment center, another young man with special needs and people that looked like your neighbors and others who don't live in your neighborhood. They all came because of hurts and needs in their lives.

We live in a broken world. Spouses are abused, alcohol and mental illness can cause havoc in people and their families. Injury and illnesses cause disabilities, economic downturns cause businesses to close and lay off employees, homelessness happens, poor choices are made, violence hurts, and society, people and even I failed to love the least of these like Jesus did.

As I walked throughout the crowds of people on Saturday, I began to meet some of these people. I heard their stories, I saw the look in their eyes, it was painful. A mom with two young boys, who was worried about her boys being boys, and as I talked with them and her, I was able to bring a few moments of peace and hope in their lives.

Around McComas Hall I saw folks from BAUMC mixed in with people we had served in the past, now serving our guests, showing compassion. A young man, who had been in the homeless shelter and spent many days in our homeless hospitality room, came to serve with some of his co-workers. Yes, he has a job, a home and wants to give back. I met a woman who was serving, who had been touched by our Pass It On ministry and because she was shown compassion, now is showing compassion to others.

As we filled their trunks with cans of food, apples and potatoes, frozen meats and breads, our hearts were filled with compassion. We are seeking to share the Good News of the Kingdom with each of them.

We live in a broken world that Jesus loves. Jesus' body was broken so that everyone can return to the One who made them. We want to be faithful and the prophet Isaiah challenges us with these words...

What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once...If you get rid of unfair practices, quit blaming victims, If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out, Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness... You'll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. You'll use the old rubble of past lives to build a new... You'll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again. [Isaiah 58:6-12 MSG]

Won't you make your life a mission, not an intermission!

Barry

The Jesus Perspective

 

Perspective: the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance

It is so important in life to make sure that we have the right perspective. Are there times in your life when your first decision or reaction to an experience or event didn't work out that well? It is easy to take a look at this picture and realize that the Eiffel Tower isn't really this small...don't we wish that living life with the right perspective was just as easy?

This Sunday, I invite you to discover the opportunity to view our world through "The Jesus Perspective". In John 6:1-21, we will explore two major experiences where the disciples struggled to see what was happening from the perspective of Jesus. I continue to discover the challenges of doing that in my own life. We get so caught up in the here and now that before we know it we lose our perspective and when that happens, we don't make Christ honoring decisions.

I think that John wants us to really begin to see the difference between Jesus and the Disciples; Jesus and the rest of us. John wants us to look at the world, the problems and blessings of life, and each other from the Jesus Perspective.

This Sunday we welcome the Chancel Choir back to our 9:20 worship and we also welcome Andrew Lewis who will be our long term interim organist and accompanist. This Sunday is also the start of confirmation and our Sunday School ministry is off to a great start, seeking to change the lives of our children. We also start our Sunday morning Disciple One class at 11:00 AM. Our Tuesdays At Church (TAC) has had a great start and this Tuesday we have our Taste of Alpha Dinner in Room 202 at 6:00PM.

In Jesus,

Barry

The Orioles, Cal Ripken and The Story

Last night, my daughter Rachel, took me to the Oriole - Yankee game that was also the unveiling of the Cal Ripken Statue. We got there early so we could at least get a glimpse of the statue ceremony. We were about 40 feet away from the ceremony and I got to see, in person, the players that were a part of so many summer days and nights growing up as an Oriole Fan!! Boog Powell, Jim Palmer, Earl Weaver, Frank Robinson and my favorite player - Brooks Robinson. Rachel never saw any of those men play as an Oriole, but she knew about each one because she has heard me talk about them. She saw the misty eyes I had when the frail Brooks finally made it to the ceremony.

Rachel was born the year the Orioles won our last World Series, and really grew up with Iron Man Cal Ripken's memories. Sarah and I were at opening day at Camden Yard 20 years ago and all of us gathered around the TV set in our kitchen 17 years ago, last night, to watch Cal break Lou Gehrig's consecutive game record of 2130 .

I can't imagine my children growing up and not knowing the stories of the 1966 World Series or Brooks Robinson's amazing play in the 1970 World Series.

It is my hope that each of you have had or will commit to making sure that your children, grandchildren and the people you love know about your faith in Jesus Christ. I hope that they have heard or will hear from you the amazing stories of a people fleeing an evil Pharaoh and finding a way across the Red Sea. Or Gideon winning a great battle or the disciples surviving a storm at sea.

I believe that we want those we care about and love to have the same faith that we have in Jesus Christ. And yet, it just doesn't seem as easy to do compared to helping our children to love our favorite sports team. Could it be that we have not invested our time and energy in helping our children and families to experience and learn what life with Jesus Christ is all about? We may want it, but we allow other "things" to push it way down our to-do list.

I want you to know that your church, your pastors and your fellow church members have stepped out to help you do what, in your hearts, you want for your children, whether they are four, 14, 24 or 44...

The Story is all about first helping you to discover or remember the stories that frame the life of a Christian. You need to know the stories if you are going to tell them to those you love. And even more important, you will discover that your story matters to God and how your story and God's story connects!!

Join us this Sunday as we start The Story experience at all of our worship services!

Last night, I felt that a whole city rediscovered a love for Oriole baseball...Now, as much as I felt last night was the most amazing baseball game I had ever attended, it is just a game. What we are doing in our church in the coming 31 weeks is about a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ. And the victory we want for our children, families and friends is about an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ.

In Jesus,

Barry

Summer is winding down...

God is Good…

As our summer is winding down and most families are buying school supplies, moving their college students into the dorm or trying to squeeze one more weekend away before summer ends, BAUMC is at work changing lives!

I have heard some wonderful stories about the impact that VBS had on the 265 children that attended two weeks ago. I am sorry I missed seeing so many children being touched by the story of Daniel. I got to preach at The Vine a couple of weeks ago and see how their ministry is impacting their community. Just last Sunday they had such a huge crowd they ran out of chairs!! Our youth blessed a couple of hundred children during their Baltimore Mission and had a great party here at Bel Air to end their week of mission.

And we are in the process of connecting every one we can to being a part of THE STORY experience that is starting in September. It was exciting to see the lines at our book tables last Sunday as people were eager to peruse and buy THE STORY.

If you haven't picked up a copy, we will have them for sale again this week.

So, what is TheStory? The Story is a whole new way of experiencing the Bible, and as people read it, they are learning how their story intersects with God’s story. Why is The Story so powerful? One reason is because it reads like a novel, drawing people in like a good book. But it’s not just any good book. It’s almost entirely Scripture.

How does this work? The Team at Zondervan Publishing envisioned the Bible as 31 thematic chapters in chronological order. Then they carefully excerpted word-for-word passages from Scripture and crafted just enough exposition to seamlessly tie them together.

The Story includes a timeline, maps and charts, character sketches, discussion questions, and an epilogue. No spin. No commentary. No distracting verse numbers.

The Story seeks to deliver God’s Word – the Bread of Life – to those who hunger for truth, in a way that resonates with them. You can learn more about the Story at our Story Of Bel Air Facebook page.

Looking forward to worshipping with you again on Sunday as we answer the question. "Heard A Old, Old Story?"

Barry Hidey

Bel Air UMC Facebook

 

Dad's Day! Reflections on my Dad! Ells Hidey

Page Ellsworth 'Ells' Hidey

Dad’s Day!

Father's Day 1967

Growing up, Father’s Day was a tough day after Dad died. As I grew older I was able to look back and see what a blessing my dad was to my life. I have begun to realize that the impact of a dad (or a mom) on a child’s life is not just something that happens while they are alive or only if you live close to them.

September 25, 1949

I have found that the impact of my dad on my life wasn’t just who my dad was to me, but who he was in all of the aspects of his life. As a 12 year old, I didn’t really understand the love of my dad for my mom. But through the years as my mom talked about the type of husband my dad was, it has made me see how important it is for me to love my wife, to honor and respect her.

The children of Ray & Emma Hidey

When my dad’s sisters and brothers spoke about the way he treated them, about the honest and caring brother, it helped me to realize how important my sisters are to my life and the need to be the best brother I can be.

Easter 1963

Ocean City, MD 1960

As my personal memories with my Dad are so few and becoming less “vivid” as years go on, I realize that a being a dad to my children isn’t just about childhood memories, but my life with them now -  each time I see them or talk with them.













My Dad was a trustee at our church and I remember a conversation about an issue that came up at one of the meetings. He didn’t name issues or people, but what I took away from that conversation was his willingness and desire to work things out in a way that was good for the church, the trustees and God. We went to church together and Dad lived out his faith in front of us.

As I look back, I realize that who he was to my mom, my sisters and I, to his siblings and to our church was consistent. At his funeral, hundreds of his friends, neighbors, people he had worked for and with, all shared a common thread of Dad’s loyalty, integrity and consistency.

August 7, 1955
Baptism at Salem EUB Church, Hebbville, MD

Being a dad isn’t just about what we are like around our children. It is who we are across all the relationships and experiences of life. And my dad, Ells Hidey, seemed to do that really well and that has helped me to be a better dad, husband, brother and pastor.

The greatest thing I have ever heard, after getting to know someone who knew my dad, is to hear them say, “You sure are a lot like your dad”.

Thanks! Dad!

Barry Hidey

June 15, 2012

I invited PastorTom Hodges, our Director of Student Ministries to preach this Sunday at all of our Linwood Ave services! That is 4 times in 4 hours!! Take a moment and check out what Tom is speaking about this week! Barry Hidey

Everybody Has A Doorway

This Sunday concludes our series called, "Everybody Has A Story."  The word "evangelism" can be scary to some so we try not to focus on that word.  I think a better word for what we are all called to do in sharing God's Word is "relationship."  This is the best way to share God's love and grace with others...simply sharing our lives with others and through that, sharing how God and Jesus' sacrifice has affected our lives.  Simply live your faith and others will see it as we live life with them.  Jesus models this with His disciples.  He shared with them over a fire on a cool night, shared with them as they walked along the road, laughed with them, struggled with them...simply lived life with them for 3 years and during that time, was able to teach them what He needed them to learn.  Sometimes through parables, sometimes through hard lessons, and sometimes through direct conversation and even confrontation.

If we follow Jesus' model, we share our faith as we share our lives with others around us.  Maybe over some coffee, maybe during a break at work, and perhaps even on the playing field at school.  People are watching us and through the way we live, our faith comes out...hopefully! 

As we share our lives with others through relationship, and as they share their lives with us, there may come a time when we can get a chance to verbalize our faith.  Maybe, someone comes to us when they're struggling because they noticed that we handled our own adversity a little differently than others and they need our advice.  Perhaps a friend who knows we attend Bel Air UMC and have a faith, come to us when they are dealing with relationship problems or have suffered loss.  They come to us because they have discovered through their relationship with us that we claim that Jesus has made a difference.  It is perhaps at these moments, that we are then able to share a little more deeply about Jesus.  These moments are called DOORWAYS.  Everybody will eventually open a doorway in growing relationship with us.  The question really comes down to this:  Are we willing to walk through that and actually say that the difference in our lives is Jesus.  Are we willing to share that Jesus is the one we turn to in times of trouble?  You don't have to know about any deep formula; you don't have to know tons a memorized scripture; you don't have to have gone through years of discipleship training.  You simply have to be willing to share how Jesus has changed your life...how He wants to change theirs.

As you grow in relationship with others, keep your ears open for a doorway.  Look for opportunities to NATURALLY, not in a forced way, share Christ.

Maybe you share Christ over coffee...maybe you get to share Christ simply by providing a kind word or a hug when needed.  Whenever you get the chance to share Christ with someone, be ready!  And always remember to just BE Christ for someone when that opportunity (doorway) opens up!

Blessings,

 Tom Hodges

Youth Pastor

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones” Matthew 10:42

 Can a cup of cold water make a difference? Jesus thought it did! What about you? You might think that your small act of service for our CHANGE THE WORLD weekend might seem so insignificant, but we are looking at it from the human view, not the God view!

 Think about it for a moment..

Really it’s only...

..a letter, but to someone serving away from home, we don’t know how God will use it in a time of need

..removing the sod in the backyard of an ARC Group Home, but to the resident it is fulfilling a desire to plant a garden

.. mulching and trimming, but what joy it will bring to an elderly person who can't do it anymore

..a casserole, but to the volunteer firefighter or Rehab center aide, it can be a special blessing    

..a bag of food shared with a smile, but to that working family it will mean full stomachs and a sigh of relief

.. a set of baby pajamas, but to the struggling mother it is something new and clean and helps her to know she is not alone

.. building a picnic table, but the woman and children at SARC can sit safely together and enjoy a meal on it

You might not think that a cup of cold water can change the world, but just the fact that you decided to serve this weekend is changing you and when we are changed, we begin to find some small ways to the CHANGE THE WORLD in which we live!!

We are closing in on over 400 people serving in 24 projects. It is not too late to decide to serve! 

You can go online and see what projects still need help!

http://baumc-changetheworld-spring2012.eventbrite.com

Or show up on Sunday and we can send you out to work in the community or join in a project right here in our building!!

Thank you to our CTW leadership team, Mark Lucas, Diana McCauley and Dave Parker!!

In Jesus,

Barry