CONNECTIONS UPUMC • Staff-Parish Relations Committee meets Monday, November 14, 6:30pm, Errol Stephenson Hall. • Administrative Council meets Monday, November 14, 7:30pm, Errol Stephenson Hall. • Nominations Committee meets Monday, November 21, a7pm, Errol Stephenson Hall. • All-Church Thanksgiving Dinner and Celebration, Thursday, November 24, 1-6pm, Errol Stephenson Hall. • All-church Potluck and Writing of Advent Song, Sunday, November 27, Noon, Errol Stephenson Hall. • Finance Committee meets 7pm, Monday, November 28, Errol Stephenson Hall.
THE LARGER CHURCH • Metro gathering for Congregational Development, Thursday, November 17, 1:30pm, Errol Stephenson Hall. • Shalom Ministries Board meets Thursday, November 17, 7pm, Errol Stephenson Hall. • Oregon-Idaho Reconciling United Methodists will meet on with a potluck lunch, 10am-2pm, Saturday, November 19, Lake Oswego UMC.
THE COMMUNITY • Portsmouth Neighborhood Association Board meets Tuesday, November 22, 7pm, Columbia Cottage.
FUTURE EVENTS, FOR YOUR CALENDAR • Holiday Cookie Baking, Saturday, December 10, 1-5pm. • Caroling and cocoa, Thursday, December 22, 6pm. WEEKLY AT UPUMC • Choir practices Sundays at 9:30am, Tuesdays at 6:30pm, Sanctuary. • Men’s Group, Tuesdays, 10am, Narthex. • Alcoholics Anonymous, Narthex, Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays at 8pm, weekly. • Morrison Child and Family Center, Wednesdays, 4-6, weekly. • Supper and Movie, Joan of Arcadia episodes, Wednesdays, 6:30pm, weekly. • Overeaters Anonymous, Wednesdays at 7pm, Saturdays at 3pm.
THE NURSERY IS STAFFED DURING WORSHIP FOR CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN SCHOOL AGE. SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN ARE INVITED INTO THE SANCTUARY UNTIL THE ‘PASSING OF THE PEACE’; THEN THEY GO TO SUNDAY SCHOOL.
PLEASE DON’T GO HUNGRY. WE HAVE FOOD IN OUR PANTRY, LOCATED IN THE HALLWAY LEADING TO ERROL STEPHENSON HALL, TAKE WHAT YOU NEED.
Commandments: A Synopsis Deuteronomy 6:1. 4-15, Psalm 90 Matthew 22:34-40
Written by scott
Sunday, 23 October 2005
Commandments: A Synopsis Deuteronomy, 6:1. 4-15, Psalm 90, Matthew 22:34-40 October 23, 2005 Rev. Marcia J. Hauer
Following King Solomon’s death, the Israelite kingdom was divided and became the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. It wasn’t a division that was based on the best interests of the people, but a political maneuver. For many years one bad king followed another in both kingdoms. As one reads 2Kings, one king after another is listed as (name) he ruled (x) years and “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.†Occasionally, there was a king who was aware of matters of justice and what it meant to be one of God’s own people, but, by and large, it was a time in the history of Israel that was not particularly good for those who did not hold political or religious power.
After many years of this pattern, Josiah came to the throne of Judah. He was 8 years old and regents wielded power on his behalf. When Josiah was 18, according to 2Kings 22, the high priest Hilkiah, found a long lost book of the law. Verses 11-13 say, “When [Josiah] heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.†Then he asked Hilkiah and other priests to “inquire of the Lord concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us because our ancestors did not obey the words of this book.†Josiah then decreed that all the people should come together at the temple and listen as the priests read the book.
The book in question was most likely Deuteronomy. The authorship of this book was attributed to Moses. Scholars say that it was most likely compiled from a variety of sources during the 8th century BCE because there are echoes of Isaiah’s words and references to what happened in that era. The result of the reading of this book were a series of reforms including the removal of all the things that had been brought into the Temple in order to worship Baal and Asherah and other local gods. Josiah’s reforms brought the people a way to make covenant with God for a second time. It gave them a second chance.
WHOSE LIFE IS IT, ANYWAY? Exodus 33:12-23; Matthew 22:15-22 October 16, 2005
It was a trick question. We know that, don’t we? Jesus was in the temple, the place where no images of any other God were allowed, and there came this crowd of opponents, those who supported Herod because to do so kept the peace and those who held some position authority within the Jewish community. Tell us, they demanded, should we pay the poll tax, or not?
Perhaps it would help us to know the context of the question. Do you remember, in the Christmas story, that there was a census to count the Jewish people—that was why Luke tells us that Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem, so that they could be recorded. The census was used to determine who was there, and therefore, who had to pay taxes to Rome. It was deeply, deeply resented in Judea.
The poll tax came into effect when Judea became a Roman province. Jews opposed it from the beginning, leading uprisings, being defeated, sometimes being crucified as revolutionaries. Zealots need only fan the anger about the poll tax to recruit members from among the lower classes. And perhaps you would have joined them, just as our own forebears in this country would have, for the poll tax, like the stamp tax of the 1770s, was levied so that the people of an occupied nation might themselves pay the costs of the occupation. It was hated bitterly, defiantly, implacably by those who resented the Roman rule.
The poll tax could only be paid in Roman currency. Tax collectors, known as collaborators with the occupying forces, forced Jews to exchange their Jewish currency for Roman currency to pay the tax; just as the temple authorities forced them to exchange Roman currency for Jewish currency to buy animals for holy sacrifice. Coming or going, the poor lost out to the moneychangers, who always took a cut. Moreover, the Roman currency featured a bust of the emperor, and an inscription: Tiberius, august son of the Divine Augustus, High Priest. Tiberius, son of the Divine; Tiberius, Son of God.
So, Jesus—should we pay the poll tax or not? Answer quick, lose no matter what. Say no and you’ll be arrested and killed as a revolutionary. Say yes and you’ll blaspheme the faith and acknowledge that Tiberius is son of God, sending your followers, many of them poor outcasts and Zealots, away in disgust.
A Strong and Vibrant University Park UMC. By Scott Jensen
I didn’t have much time to prepare for this presentation. And I told myself I wasn’t going to get nervous since you are family, friends and neighbors.
When I first came to UPUMC I was greeted by Florence, who’s said “WELCOME BACK TO CHRISTâ€. What a wonderful welcome, when I was searching for a faith group that could possibly include ME. Florence had no way of knowing my story. But she welcomed me in a way that was comfortable for her. And that was the most perfect welcome anyone could have extended to me.
Jefferson Smith & Rev. Bean both have said that we are doing the MOST important work a church could be doing. I agree with them. We ARE reclaiming the faith. WE ARE RECLAIMING THE FAITH. Now that’s a powerful message!
UPUMC is becoming known within the conference as a small congregation who is doing great things. Welcoming and reaching people in ways so many others can’t or won’t. I thank those longtime members who forged the way for this to happen! Your vision so many years ago has become a reality by welcoming people LIKE ME into this community of faith!
Let’s look at a few of the great and perhaps grand hopes from our vision.
1. To better develop our property to include new offices, classrooms and perhaps affordable housing rentals. 2. Have the nursery staffed during worship service. Done. 3. Add a children’s Sunday school. Jennifer, we all thank you for making this vision becomes a reality! 4. Develop a youth & young adult program 5. Be more welcoming to the community. 6. Add heat and electrical outlets to the pastor’s office. Dick and others who have helped us thank you for making this a reality! 7. Never let anyone connected with our church community go hungry! 8. Better serve the homeless when they come asking for help.
Look at how many of these things we’re already doing. Thanks to those who have a passion for one item or another. Some require thought, planning and funds. Others were as simple as a commitment from one or more members to make a vision become a reality.
This year was the first time I have ever pledged. At this time last year it took some hard personal reflection. I wasn’t making as much money as I needed. But I figured out what I could afford each week and that became my pledge. It was hard. But by doing so it gave me more of a feeling of responsibility and ownership. It helped in my personal understanding of what it was to become more involved in this community.
CONNECTIONS UPUMC • Stewardship Campaign, October 16-November 13, with celebration dinner during Homecoming. • Charge Conference, Wednesday, October 19, 7:30pm, Errol Stephenson Hall. • Basic Lay Speaking Class, Thursdays, October 20-November 10, Errol Stephenson Hall. Sign up beforehand. Cost is $15.
THE LARGER CHURCH • Come to the Table, Community of Welcoming Congregations, 5-9pm, Saturday, October 22, Rose City Park Presbyterian Church. • Oregon MFSA Fall Retreat at A.L. Collins Retreat Center; Sunday November evening November 6-Tuesday morning November 8, register by Friday October 21, $110. Register with
FUTURE EVENTS, FOR YOUR CALENDAR • All-Church Homecoming Celebration, Sunday, November 13. • Oregon-Idaho Reconciling United Methodists will meet on with a potluck lunch, 10am-2pm, Saturday, November 19, Lake Oswego UMC. • All-Church Thanksgiving Dinner and Celebration, Thursday, November 24, 2-6pm, Errol Stephenson Hall.
WEEKLY AT UPUMC • Choir practices Sundays at 9:30am, Tuesdays at 6:30pm, Sanctuary. • Men’s Group, Tuesdays, 10am, Narthex. • Alcoholics Anonymous, Narthex, Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays at 8pm, weekly. • Morrison Child and Family Center, Wednesdays, 4-6, weekly. • Supper and Movie, Joan of Arcadia episodes, Wednesdays, 6:30pm, weekly. • Overeaters Anonymous, Wednesdays at 7pm, Saturdays at 3pm.
THE NURSERY IS STAFFED DURING WORSHIP FOR CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN SCHOOL AGE. SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN ARE INVITED INTO THE SANCTUARY UNTIL THE ‘PASSING OF THE PEACE’; THEN THEY GO TO SUNDAY SCHOOL.
University Park United Methodist Church (UPUMC) is located at 4775 N Lombard, Portland Oregon 97203. UPUMC is small, diverse, growing, laughing, committed, caring, serious, warm and REAL! We are a community that encourages each other as we grow in faith, in knowledge, in service, and in love of self, God and neighbor. At University Park we not only respect but welcome diversity in race, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical and mental ability, economic status and profession. We believe all people are equal before God and entitled to Gods grace and abundance. Pastors: Rev. Dr. Jeanne Knepper & Rev. Marcia Hauer http://www.upumc.net
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