White Rock UMC

Today is Monday, November 29, 2021

Our text for this morning is 2 Peter 3:14-18.

Reflect on what things (or people) in your life try your patience, make you frustrated, or aggravate your search for God's peace. How might you practice patience and peace, as the author encourages us?

Join us throughout the Advent Season for a daily scripture reading, reflection, and question(s) to ponder. 

Day 1: Luke 21:25-36

What are you waiting for this year?

We finished our study on the parables with a tough one. Rev. Mitchell Boone preached on Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, a parable that tells us either Jesus was a terrible farmer, or is communicating something way deeper than farming - something that seems so ludicrous to the common senses. Quite possibly, Jesus is teaching something so radical in this parable it will offend those who believe to be "in the know."   

The parables continue to confuse, confound, and more than anything challenge us! Let us know your thoughts about this parable, or any of the parables we've studied together.

You can watch this week's sermon on our YouTube Channel here:

For this month's gathering we were joined by Rev. Laura Kigweba James of the General Board of Church and Society and Rev. Mel Caraway, retired clergy from the North Texas Conference. Both Laura and Mel attended COP26 and were willing to share their experience, both the frustrations and the hopes.   

We grounded our work in the UMC Book of Discipline, Social Principle Paragraph 160:

And the Book of Resolutions #1035:

There were a multitude of links shared during our conversation. Here are some of those links: 

Action opportunities from the General Board of Church & Society:

The upcoming Climate Webinar through GBC&S:

The Glasgow Climate Pact from COP26:

The work of the World Methodist Council:

The Carbon Buddy Project: https://www.carbonbuddyproject.org/  

If you have further questions, contact Rev. Laura:

or Rev. Mel:

Throughout the year when we have not been in a specific worship series we have been turning to the parables of Jesus. This week, Rev. Mitchell Boone looked at the Parable of the Lost Sheep and The Lost Coin in Luke 15:1-10.  

Mitchell highlighted the absurdity of these parables, calling us to question the dichotomy presented in Luke's Gospel between sinners and righteous people. Often we associate "lost" with sinner, yet maybe the righteous need to figure out what is lost in their (our?) lives as well.   

As always, the Parables challenge us to think, and re-think, that which we assume to be common knowledge and conventional wisdom. Let us know how these two parables influence your understanding.

You can watch this week's sermon on our YouTube Channel here:

That's right, in today's episode Rebecca eloquently uses the word kaleidoscopic in our discussion of the parables. In worship yesterday we focused on the Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin, two parables that are often viewed as "appetizers" to the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Rebecca and Phil also breakdown the disaster that was children's time... turns out not all kids are fooled by magic tricks. And they discuss the multitude of instruments that were used during worship yesterday. The musical talent in this congregation truly is remarkable!

If you missed worship this week, you can find it on our YouTube Channel here:

And, if you have questions about the why behind the worship, email us at [email protected].

Rev. Keith Boone preached this year's All Saints Sermon. Through baseball analogies, the Hockey Pockey, and lots of great energy Keith reminded us that we are holy because God made you holy and you too can be a saint in the making. Not everybody will be a "baseball card hero" saint, but we can all be saints in the making. 

This week's message was part of a greater tribute to those who have passed on during the last year. It is always an honor to celebrate their lives while also collectively mourn those whom we have lost.

You can watch this week's sermon on our YouTube channel here:

In today's episode, Rebecca and Phil reflect on a beautiful All Saints Sunday. If you have ever worshiped with White Rock UMC for All Saints Sunday you know this is a very important Sunday in the life of our church. We had the opportunity to honor 28 people who have passed over the last year. Some were members of our church, some were active participants, others have never worshiped with us but are important in the life of the people who do worship with us, thus we honor their life and their legacy.

Rebecca and Phil talked through the use of the song "Remember Me," from the movie Coco during Children's Time. Why the clergy were in stoles yesterday, why there were different stoles, and the significance of the different colors used throughout the liturgical seasons. They discuss song arrangements, the definition of the word "pericope," and Keith's enthusiastic sermon that included the Hokey Pokey!

If you have questions regarding the "why behind the worship," email us at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you. 

If you missed this week's worship you can find it on our YouTube channel here:

Rev. Mitchell Boone concluded our worship series "The Good Life: Living into Generosity," by addressing how generosity sparks joy. He preached from 2 Corinthians 9:11-15, highlighting Paul's call to generosity.  

This week Mitchell reminded us we are created to give, we are not created to hoard. That generosity is something God wants for us, not something God wants from us. Generosity indeed sparks joy and the more we practice it, the bigger impact we have on others, and ourselves. And often, it is fear that overwhelms us and prevents us from experiencing this joy.   

Mitchell's invitation to practice generosity is not something you have to do on your own. Our financial giving is often deeply personal, however the practice of generosity is something we do as a community. We hope that has come across through this worship series and we thank you for all the ways you express your generosity in and through this community.  

If you would like to make a pledge to our 2022 budget. You can do so at www.wrumc.org/2022.

You can watch this week's sermon on our YouTube Channel here:

Rebecca and Phil discuss the why behind the worship in our final week of the series "The Good Life: Living into Generosity." They discuss the idea of practice and why they love Mitchell's emphasis on generosity being a continual practice. They also dive deeper into the story of the Widow's Mite and share their affection for Mark Miller, John Thornburb, and all things creative. 

Though our situations have not led to all happiness right now, there is indeed joy in this episode. We hope you feel it and experience it as well. 

Remember you can ask your questions about the why behind the worship by emailing [email protected].

And, if you'd like to join this year's generosity campaign, you can make a pledge to the 2022 budget at www.wrumc.org/2022.