We are down to our last two weeks of the T.H.R.I.V.E. theme. If you’ve just received your THRIVE t-shirt, I want to encourage you to wear it this Sunday and next. While these upcoming Sundays are a great opportunity to show it off, keep in mind that THRIVE is our theme for the entire year. So, feel free to wear your shirt anytime! As we continue with our T.H.R.I.V.E. series, the letter “V” stands for “Visualize Your Success.” If the previous two messages were hard but good truth, this sermon is the first of two fun messages that close the series. As we begin to make progress, it is critical that through the eyes of faith we see our success. This motivates us like nothing else can; even if the end result isn’t exactly what we planned. We discover that by embracing our spirituality, God has led us to what is good, and we can be grateful for the vision we’ve had. Of course, sometimes our success is exactly as we foresaw!
This coming week is also Scout Sunday. Traditionally United Methodist Churches recognize Scouting ministries on the second Sunday of February (which almost always coincides with the Super-Bowl). This Sunday at PTCUMC we want to recognize ANY scouts among us and that includes adult leaders of scouts, both past and present. If you are (or have been) involved in scouting, regardless of where your Troup / Pack is located, you are invited to wear your uniform.
Each year, I bring out my old Cub Scout uniform, complete with all the badges I earned when I was eleven. No, I can’t still wear it… I achieved the Arrow of Light, which is the highest award in Cub Scouting, but instead of crossing the bridge into Scouts, I turned to year-round sports. But it leads to me to also share the story of how I began attending church. It was a Scout Sunday, and I was already familiar with St. Paul UMC in New Paris, Ohio, because we held Pack meetings there. Since it was within walking distance of my house, I was able to participate. My parents weren’t attending church at the time, although my mom had wanted to and planned to accompany me that Sunday. I reassured her that I was fine on my own. The next Sunday, I returned by myself—and the Sunday after that, too. It wasn’t long before my dad came to the conclusion that if his eleven-year-old could get up and go to worship by himself, he could too. My mom was pleased.
I am a United Methodist today, in part, because the Scouts were hosted by the United Methodist Church—and subsequently, one of the reasons I became a UMC pastor. I know my story is not unique and that for some young men and women—who participate in Scouting and Girl Scouts, Scouting often represents the only opportunities they have to experience prayer before meals and other expressions of faith and spirituality.
This is a wonderful opportunity for our scouting community to gather together in worship and celebration. We look forward to seeing you there! Please RSVP so we can get a headcount for badge purposes. So, scouts we welcome you! See you Sunday at 9:30 & 11am.
