Mission - Ministry - Prayers

First, I ask that you join me in praying for our youth and adults Mission Team as they embark on their mission trip to St. Louis. Please join me as we pray for them each day at 9AM. I ask that you pray that each youth will be an ambassador for the Kingdom of God, that work they do that day will enhance someone’s life and each person will understand they are involved in Risk Taking Mission and Justice Work. Again, we will pray for our Mission Team each day at 9AM.

Second, with the announcement and the upcoming work that will soon happen at ROCKbrook, I want thank you for your continued Generosity and Patience. The process in our renovations and upgrades has been a long and challenging at time. Thank you for your endurance and belief that this will happen. Thank you for your commitment to our ministry through your monthly gifts. ROCKbrook indeed is a BLESSED congregation.

Please watch our website, www.rockbrookumc.com for updates, pictures and video footage of the construction work.

Radical Hospitably, Heartwarming Worship, Vital Faith Development, Risk Taking Mission and Justice Work, Gracious Generosity, all component of Ministry that everyone can be involved or support. What is exciting is, there is no one way or correct way. There are many ways. We are stepping outside the box! We are throwing away the box. Join us was, “make disciples for Jesus Christ.”

Your continued giving this summer is appreciate. Thank you in advance for your financial commitment as we strive to be current with ALL of our financial responsibilities.

Finally, please check our website for a Faith Development survey. This will better enable us to serve you better as we seek to provide with you a variety of faith nurturing opportunities.

Mental illness can be and is a debilitating and devastating disease. I feel so helpless. Please offer a prayer for those persons who are affective by some form on mental illness.

Remember Matthew 28:18-20

In Mission and Ministry

Pastor William

Crisis: Coming Home to a Fire!

I often heard the sounds of sirens as they screamed down the streets. I‘ve heard the engines roar with the sound of, “I am on my way to serve you.” I’ve pulled over so they could make it to the home that is ablaze or to provide medical assistance to someone who is critically ill or has been involved in a life-threatening accident. Yes, those big red trucks carry the men and women of the Omaha Fire Department, and I have always applauded them and the work they do.

But, on May 14th, I had a personal reason to applaud the Omaha Fire Department.
As with the personnel of the Fire Department, I have also applauded the heroic volunteer efforts of the women and men of the Red Cross. They respond to disasters (in this case a fire) at all times of the day and night and work with a family to provide housing, clothing, food and other essentials during a crisis.

We (Idalene and I) were out of the city enjoying some much needed time away and time together. We were enjoying the city of Boston, clam chowder, the tea party, Bunker Hill and Paul Revere, and learning to say car “Boston style”. Then, the phone rang but it was nothing to be concerned about as it was the middle of the afternoon and Idalene gets alot of phone calls. It was Jamise! I didn’t hear the usual banter between mom and daughter. I heard Idalene ask, “Is everyone OK?” “What happened? “ “Is it that bad?” In between the questions and answers, she tells me the kitchen caught on fire. No one was hurt. It is bad. The fire department was called. Ocean, our granddaughter, is fine.

WOW, there was a sinking feeling in my pit, my stomach, the place where love, happiness, joy, fear and sadness live. A sigh of relief, our children are not injured. But a fire has happened, and we are hundreds of miles away and can’t be there. It was a feeling of helplessness. We wanted to see, or did we? Idalene asked me, “Do you think it is bad?” Am I an optimist? I responded, “Probably not, it was just in the kitchen.” Hmm, little did I know.

When we drove into the garage, the smoke, that overpowering, chest hurting, make-you-cough smoke met us and overwhelmed us. It was all over the house. I wanted to walk away; my legs were frozen. I didn’t want to look, but my eyes wouldn’t close. I walked in and looked; it was worse than I thought. The smoke made things worse.

We hugged our daughter. We are thankful to God that neither she nor Ocean was hurt. We prayed, “God, we are thankful for safety and for fast thinking. We are thankful for fire department, emergency responders and insurance.”

After a few hours of sharing with friends, which will be in the next blog, we went to bed. I have to preach the next day. The title of the sermon, which we have been advertising for several weeks as a part of sermon series, “Finding Christ in the Midst of Your Crisis” Does this count as a crisis?

Blessings….
Pastor William

You can respond to me at wwilliams@rockbrookumc.com

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

In just a few days we will celebrate Mother’s Day. I am thinking and praying what I shall get my mother, who gave me live, love and laughter. I have been thinking and praying what to get Idalene, who gave me three wonderful children and has been a magnificent mother. Will it be flowers, clothing, jewelry, dinner or a day at a spa? All good choices and maybe a couple of those will work. At this moment, I am not sure. I am a last minute shopper.

As I reflect on the 2 most important women in my live, I give thanks to God for their presence in my life.

For my mother, I am thankful for her wisdom and knowledge; even when I did not want to or failed to realize it. I am thankful for the meals she provided with love. I will always remember the liver and onions dinners. She still calls me for lunch when she is cooking my favorite meal. (I know mom, it is a reminder that I mustn’t be too busy). Thanks for understanding Mom. I am thankful for the teachings and value that you gave me. Because of your teachings, I am where I am today. The list can go on and on and on as to why I am thankful. But, in short, I am thankful for the gift of life.

For Idalene my wife, as I reflect on the years we nurtured and reared our children, I am deeply appreciative of your love and devotion to our children. You sat up on many nights when they were sick, you were a room mother, PTSA president, baker of cookies, reader of bedtime stories, and tutor for math and taxi driver. I remember all the children’s friends calling you mom. They still do today. You are a fantastic mother and I am grateful to God for your wisdom and values that you gave our children.

To Marian and Idalene, my mother and wife, I am thankful for your faith. Over the years you have prayed for me and with me. When life and ministry was excellent you were there. When I faced challenges and storms, you were my calm.

“She girds herself with strength, and strengthens herself daily. She perceives that her provision for her family is good: she does not retire early but works diligently to see to the needs of her family, she is not an idle woman.” Proverbs 31:17, 18, 27

To all mothers near and far, I wish each of you a very HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.

Blessings
Pastor William-

From The United Methodist Church - What are your Thoughts

Council rejects resolutions on same-sex marriages

Bishop Beverly Shamana presides over The United Methodist Church'sCalifornia-Nevada Annual (regional) Conference in Sacramento, Calif. A UMNS file photo by Paul "Spud" Hilton.
By Neill Caldwell*April 27, 2009 DENVER (UMNS)

United Methodist clergy cannot perform same-sex marriages, even in states where such unions are legal or the ceremonies are endorsed by a regional church group.
The Judicial Council, the denomination’s top court, ruled at its spring meeting that it is a chargeable offense for United Methodist clergy to perform ceremonies celebrating same-sex unions.

The ruling overturned resolutions from two annual conferences supporting clergy who perform same-gender marriages.

In the case of the California-Nevada Annual Conference, the council affirmed Bishop Beverly J. Shamana’s decision voiding a resolution passed by the regional group backing retired pastors who perform same-gender marriages.

“An annual conference may not legally negate, ignore or violate provisions of the (Book of) Discipline with which they disagree, even when the disagreements are based on conscientious objections to the provisions,” the council ruled.

Council member Belton Joyner Jr. filed a dissenting opinion.
In a separate decision, the council reversed California-Pacific Conference Bishop Mary Ann Swenson’s ruling supporting a conference resolution recognizing “the pastoral need and prophetic authority of our clergy and congregations to offer the ministry of marriage ceremonies for same-gender couples.”

In a concurring opinion, Jon Gray and the Rev. Kathy Austin Mahle wrote “church law can only be made by the General Conference and cannot be achieved through piecemeal resolutions adopted in an annual conference session.”

The 2008 General Conference, the denomination’s top legislative body, voted to retain its ban on same-gender marriages and to bar clergy from performing such marriages or consecrating them in the church. Pastors who perform same-gender unions risk losing their clergy credentials.
In other decisions, the council approved the lease of Southern Methodist University property for the George W. Bush presidential library, museum and public policy institute and did not take up a request from the Alaska Conference for a ruling on church law regarding the openness of church membership relative to pastoral discretion to deny membership.

The council said the lease agreement between United Methodist-related SMU and the George W. Bush Foundation does not violate church law.

Critics opposed to many policies of the Bush administration, including the war in Iraq, argued placing the institute on SMU property would be inconsistent with church teaching.
In its own review, the nine-member council said it found nothing in the lease agreement that violated the school’s Articles of Incorporation or the church’s Book of Discipline.
In the membership case, the council said it did not have jurisdiction to address possible competing claims in church rules because the request for a declaratory decision did not deal with an action by the Alaska Conference.

The case refers back to an earlier council ruling in favor of the right of a Virginia pastor, the Rev. Ed Johnson, to block a practicing homosexual from joining the congregation of South Hill (Va.) United Methodist Church. The council ruled the pastor of a local church has authority to determine a layperson’s readiness for membership.

The council also said it did not have jurisdiction to rule on a request from the West Ohio Annual Conference on the formula for deciding the number of bishops in a region. The 2008 General Conference approved a plan that will result in one less bishop in four of the five U.S. jurisdictions beginning in 2012.

*Caldwell is editor of the Virginia United Methodist Advocate and covers the Judicial Council for United Methodist News Service.

News media contact: David Briggs, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5472 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

Look Forward

In a recent Peanuts cartoon, Charlie Brown approached his psychiatrist, Lucy, for some advice about life.

Lucy: Life, Charlie Brown, is like a deck chair.
Charlie: Like a what?
Lucy: Have you ever been on a cruise ship? Passengers
open up these canvas deck chairs so they can sit in the sun.
Some people place their chairs facing the rear of the ship
so they can see where they've been. . . . Other people face
their chairs forward. . . . They want to see where they
are going. On the cruise ship of life, Charlie Brown,
which way is your deck chair facing?
Charlie: I've never been able to get one unfolded!
Charles M. Schultz, "Peanuts,

An interesting conversation took place with a friend on January 2nd of this year. He had lamented about all that life offered him this past year and how frustrated he was with some of the events and people of 2008. In his voice as I listened, I heard resentment, blame and distress as he talked about his past 12 months.

I asked, “Which way is your chair facing? It is facing forward or backwards?”

He looked puzzled and baffled. I explained to him the Peanuts cartoon.

He responded, “That makes a difference on how I see life won’t it?”

You got it I proclaimed!

There are many scripture verses that encourage us to lay aside the negativities of the past, and to look ahead. Here are two.

"This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)

"Remember not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; it shall spring forth; I hope you recognize. I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19-20

As my friend walked to is car, he shouted, “I am not looking back – I am looking forward.”

Amen! I whispered. Amen!
Pastor William

Guess Blogger - William M. Williams, III

THE FOLLOW POST IS FROM MY SON, WILLIAM WHO ATTEND THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA!! THANKS SON.

The election and inauguration of President Barack Obama was historic. The clear and honest assessment of this event is self-evident. Regardless of his platform and political ideologies, President Barack Obama transcended the Democratic political hierarchical structure and became the first African-American person to earn the title as President of the United States of America. As I reflect on this event almost a month later, I celebrate his election, and, I take time to share with you, my friends, the great celebration that took place with all people of all genders of all races of all faiths of all political ideologies on January 20, 2009, in the city of Washington D.C.

The time we took to spend with each other as mutual celebrants made the inauguration historic. As time unfolds, there will be much said and written about President Obama's administration; just as there as already been much said about his ascension into the office. I wonder what historians will say about the crowds and the stories that come from this Inauguration Day. I can imagine a short blurb in the history book that gives a final number of inaugural attendees at around 2.5 million people. But, who will tell the story about the very first stop of the red line train in Northern Maryland already having packed rail cars by 6:00 AM on the day of the event? This is true; I was there. There was barely any standing room after the first 3 stops of the train, and we still had 6 - 9 more stops to go before we exited. Who will tell the story about the hundreds of people that filed out of a single rail car to unite with the several hundred people already at Judiciary Station who were making their way up the escalator into crowds of thousands (and later millions)? I am telling this story. I am telling the story of this historic celebration that unfolded within the crowd of 2,499,999 other people.

In spite of the blistering cold, our collective nature kept us unified and warm. It was this unity that I remember the most. As brothers and sisters, we made jokes about the closeness, about the waiting, about the lack of movement for nearly 20 minutes, and we celebrated as a collective when we moved 3 feet forward. I remember the shouts of joy when this collective had its largest advance of an eight to ten step shuffle. I remember the radio interviews going on via cell phone; the kids on the shoulders of parents; the young who walked with the old, and the person who asked my cousin to remove her hat so that she could see the jumbotron. These faces and experiences with my brothers and sisters will warm my thoughts for decades to come. During this Inauguration Day we kept each other warm in spite of the blistering cold, and because of our unified celebratory attitude.

The stories are numerous. (And) though no two stories will be alike, I gather their components will have similarities: African-American president; historic inauguration; 2.5 million people, not a single criminal incident, and smiles. My favorite memory is of me running through the 3rd street tunnel yelling with excitement and energy, “Shake a hand, meet a friend, get your official Inauguration name tags”. Vendors were soliciting these tags and using this phrase to promote the unified celebration of the day. I do imagine that some historians will capture the red eyes of some, the laughter of others, the random friendships that were made, the congeniality, the patience, the cheers, the boos, the vendors, the National Guards people, the police, and the celebrities and other notables. But, most importantly, in my opinion, I imagine history will capture the smiles and the joyous attitudes that existed from and within the 2.5 million people who unified with each other to celebrate this historic occasion. It was a joyous celebration, my friends, and I thank God for the opportunity as well as my mother and father, Mr. & Mrs. Patrick & Rose _____, Congressman Lee Terry’s office, and the prayers of my family: Jamise, Jenna, Edward, Ocean, & all of my other family and friends, including the 2,499,999 I was fellowship with on January 20, 2009

Bishop Woody White Annual Letter to Rev. M. L. King

Each year Bishop Woody White writes a letter to Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. He has done this since 1968. I have read the letters each year since 1984. The letters have been inspiring, challenging and insightful.

This year, Bishop White, retired, writed the annual letter on the eve on Barack Obama becoming the 44th president of The United States and first person of color to lead the most powerful nation in the world.

Click in the following link and you will find Bishop's White letter.

http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2072519&ct=6494289&tr=y&auid=4406969


Blessing and Peace

Pastor William

Bishop Woody White's Letter to Rev. M.L, King, Jr

http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2072519&ct=6494289&tr=y&auid=4406969

MUCH TO CELEBRATE

Greetings and belated Happy New Year:

I know it has been a while since my last posting. Life has been challenging – changing and inspiring since my last visit posting.

In short, I continue to experience the love and peace of God given thru Jesus Christ.

Idalene, my wife received her Ph.D. in August. It was a wonderful ceremony and our three children and 2 grandchildren attend the graduation and hooding ceremony in Minneapolis. Idalene’s aunt and sister from Kansas City also attended. Then the children and I threw her big celebration party. Family, friends, sorority sisters, church members and former church members attended. It was a grand event. Sweets, know that I am proud of you.

William, III, has entered seminary. He is attending St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. He is excited and found the first semester exhilarating. In our phone calls and his holiday visit, he helped me remember my time at Perkins School of Theology in Dallas. It seems fitting that Williams III is in seminary. He attended with me on a regular basis, the first 6 months of his life. In between taking notes, asking questions and drinking lots of coffee, I changed diapers, fed, burped and gave lots of love.

Jamise continues to be a good mother. She works for the Middle School Learning Center Initiative as the Site Director @ King Science for the Omaha Public School Foundation. It has been a great fit and has provided Jamise with plenty of opportunity for professional and personal growth. Jamise, who has her Master’s degree continue to be a staff member at ROCKbrook United Methodist Church, coordinating the childcare each Sunday and sings with the Praise Team when they sing.

Jenna, today (January 14, 2009) turns 25. Happy Birthday Jenna, has talked, dreamed, hoped and desired to move to California, (Hollywood) to find success and fulfilled her dreams through acting. She has dream and or talked about doing this since she had the lead role in the Hobbit at the Rose Children’s Theater. Throughout high school and college, Jenna set her sight on making it through acting. Well, she is ready to take that next step of life. Jenna and Maya, her college friend, have leased and apartment and Jenna will be leaving in 7 days to begin her journey. (Today January 22, 20090.

I ask that you pray for her and that she will find happiness and success. William will be driving her to Los Angles. She will miss Jamise, a sister and best friend. I ask that you pray for them.

Mom and Dad will have a hard time adjusting without ‘Cupcake” around to assist, help and just have a presence. As much as we celebrate her decision and pray for her success we will miss her deeply.

Fly Jenna Fly. May you reach your goal.

DadPastor William

Surviving the Storms of Life

Don’t be alarmed when the trials of life crash around you. God is there to help!

This summer, we have experienced a variety of storms which have disrupted our lives. We had the tornado 3 weeks ago and then the “hurricane or wind storm last weekend. Both of these storms disrupted our lives, displaced some from home and in short, caused all king of havoc and chaos. Our homes and churches suffered through damage, power outages and fallen trees. On last Friday, Jamise, Edward and Ocean, my daughter and grandchildren were on our way to Kansas City. We were at the corner of 129th and Maple when the storm hit. While Jamise covered her children, I stopped the car and held on for life. Later Edward declared, “Storms are not fun!”

Storms will come
You are right grandson. Storms are not fun. But, storms will come into our world. Storms will come in to our lives. They come to us all, and when they hit, they are not fun. In Acts 27, we read the account of when Paul was on a ship with 275 other. In the midst a violent storm he steps forward and tells them all to “be of good cheer.”

Many if not all can look at our present life circumstance and declare, “I am in the midst of a storm”. It could be personal, work related, with children or a spouse, it could be with life changes of aging or other health related issues. Those storms could be your present financial situation. Yes, these are the storms of life. What are other storms of life you can name?
Storms are temporary
I wrote this definition of a spiritual storm: “It is an unpredictable, temporary period of distress over which we have little, if any, control.” Paul referred to the storms in his life as “light afflictions,” which last “but for a moment.” Yet, if you read his biography, you find that he endured one storm after another. How could he call them light afflictions?
A place of refuge
When storms come our way, we should seek shelter, refuge, and safety from the storm. We can find safety within a relationship with Christ and with the Church, ROCKbrook The storms will continue, but you can always find refuge in the midst of the storms. Psalm 16:1[ A miktam of David. ] Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.

Meet the Lord of the storm
Have you met the Lord of the storm? Have you met the One who can see you through no matter what you face in life? Are you trying to find your own way, your own solutions? Or, are you willing to say, “Lord, I need Your help.” If you do, the Lord will under gird you. God will help you weather the storm. God will give you victory. God will bring you good cheer.

God is indeed our Refuge:


Pastor William

The Easter Blues?

The After-Easter Blues

Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.-John 20:19b-20Lent is so dramatic. It begins on Ash Wednesday, and then we had seven weeks to reflect, to examine our lives, our brokenness, and our mortality. We go through Maundy Thursday and Good Friday -- full of depth and meaning and even drama. And then Easter hits. And then it's done. Or at least that's how it sometimes feels.

Actually, it's not done. According to the Christian calendar, Easter is a season -- 50 days long -- and not just a day. We usually don’t celebrate Easter as a season. We have one busy Sunday, a few more days of chocolate eggs and jelly beans. But then it's back to normal. I have often said, “Things will slow down after Easter.” Life will return to ‘normal.’ Why does this happen?

Lent is easy to live with because it seems so real. It's easy to see brokenness and alone-ness in our lives and in the world, so it's easy to reflect on the stuff we're supposed to be reflecting on. But it's different with resurrection, or it least it should be. We don’t want life to return to ‘normal.’Easter is filled with the message of the power of new life, of death's defeat. Jesus triumphs over his death and ours, and it's a day full of gladness. So we sing with all the joy we can muster. We're full of alleluias as we get into the spirit of the day. "Christ is Risen!" I knew I was having a good Easter when I felt the Spirit of God stirring in my heart. Resurrection seems true – It is possible to imagine that life can be different. That passion week has ended.

Easter is not a one-day transformation experience. We do experience little bits of new life growing in our souls; but it's never a complete transformation. We sing about resurrection but know that we're not there yet. For all our Easter joy, we're still the same people that we were during Lent. My uncle died. People are still hungry, and sad, and struggling with painful relationships, agonizing decisions, and a thousand other things. Easter is a life lifetime event, so are the Promises of Easter.

We can see signs of the resurrection in the lives of those around us and in our lives. Substance abuse rehabilitation is a success, a struggling marriage has a new foundation, forgiveness has been extended and received, a job was gained and there are other places where you have experienced the resurrection again. Alleluia, Christ is Risen.

Another sign of Easter is when someone announces his or her call into ministry. I celebrate and give thanks unto God, as my son, William M. Williams, III preached (at the 8:30 service) as a person who has begun the process for ministry. I ask that you pray with William and for him, as he lives out his faith and his call. Son, I want you to know that y0ur mother and I are proud of you.

Hallelujah, Christ is Risen!

Pastor William

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Yes, I know that we have a few more days before it is officially 2008. I just want to be the first to hope and pray that your 2008 will be filled with God’s Grace and Mercy.

It was terrifying for her. It was late one evening and I was working late at the church. Jenna was with me and we were readying the sanctuary for services the next day. After we finished, we took the short walk—maybe 30 yards from the church to the parsonage. But it was dark…very dark. Jenna grabbed me by the hand, terrified. Scared of the dark and the unknown.

I remember our brief conversation as we crossed the parking lot in the dark. “Jenna, are you scared?” Yes daddy, she replied, as she reached up and grabbed my hand and clasped it as tight she could. After we reached the safety of our home, Jenna quickly shared our adventure. What we did at church and our walk home. She shared of her fear as we walked home and her relief as she felt the comfort of my presence.

As we stand at the threshold of a brand new year, we have only a glimpse of what lies ahead of us. Good health or sickness, gladness or heartache, financial security or financial setbacks? What changes are in store?
What will be the challenges? The uncertainty can be frightening and unsettling, but knowing that God is standing always beside us can give us courage to face the future with peace and hope.

In moments of despair, confusion, fear or doubt, take God’s hand. Remember the promise of His abiding presence. Relax in His power to overcome all the obstacles. Rejoice in His provision for your every need.
Prayer: Lord, as I step into this New Year, help me remember always that You are by my side and that your presence will go with me every step of the way. Give me strength to persevere when trials come my way. Give me grace to forgive when I am hurt and offended. Give me joy to share with others who need someone to walk beside them. Amen.

Partners in our journey,


Pastor William

A CALL TO PRAYER

A Call to Prayer

Christmas is just around the corner. Songs of joy and cheerfulness fill the air. Children, young and old are being extra nice. I can smell the aroma of fresh baked cookies. The multi-colored lights, the evergreen trees decorate our homes. Yes, Christmas is just two days away. And, there is joy in the air. Or at least we think there is joy.

The month of December has been filled with pain, hurt, darkness and many, many tears. There are stories of marital discord and talk of separation; some have heard the painful news about their health; others have experienced near death and life changing moments, not once but twice. Depression and suicide—aspects of poor mental health—are evident in some, while others cover it up. A community is rocked by the multiple murders that happened at a mall, while others seek to end the violence that happens every day in their community. Domestic abuse increases along with drunk driving. A family struggles with addiction; another struggles with losing a job at Christmas.

These are just of few of the places where pain, hurt, darkness and tears have entered into the lives of people you know— or perhaps even yourself. As I sat at my desk this week, giving praises to God that my daughters were not seriously injured in a car – train wreck, I know of many who are hurting and are in need of prayer. I asked myself, “How can The Church help?”
When the Israelites escaped from their oppressors in Egypt, they continued their journey under the guidance of Moses towards Canaan. At Rephidim the Amalekites suddenly and unexpectedly attacked them. (Sounds familiar...the pain of life.)

However, the victory did not depend merely on Joshua and his weapons. Rather, it depended on prayer. Moses had taken up his position on the hillside overlooking the battlefield, where his only weapon was prayer. Here, Moses was totally dependent upon God alone to win the battle. He was holding his staff. By holding it up to heaven, Moses was appealing for God to defend his people.

As he watched the battle, Moses saw firsthand the importance of his gesture of prayer. When he raised his staff and prayed, Israel had the better in the fight. But when he lowered his staff, the Amalekites gained the upper hand. In desperation, Moses lifted his staff even higher, appealing to God for victory. But soon his arms grew tired. When he could not hold his arms up by himself, two men, one on each side, held up his arms.

In the same way, our spiritual battles against the world, the flesh, and the devil are won and lost through the weight of our prayer. If we do not pray, we start losing the battle. We can arm ourselves with truth, righteousness, and faith. But if we do not ask God to assist us, we will not be able to make our stand. We will be dragged down into doubt and discouragement.
Therefore, on Sunday, January 6th we will gather to have a Service of Prayer, Healing and Anointing at 5:00 p.m. Please save the date, circle your calendar, watch for more information. Invite others, come yourself, come to pray for yourself, come to pray for others. Come!!

Connected and Strengthened through our prayer,

Pastor William

Contact Pastor William at wwilliams@rockbrookumc.com

Loneliness and Brokenness

This week has been a week in which violence; pain and tragedy rocked,

shocked and stripped the innocence of many. It touched the lives of my

families, including mine.

On Monday morning, I received a phone call. On the other end was silence. Then I heard sobbing, a heaving fearful sobbing. It was Jenna, “Daddy, I was robbed.” She works at Bath and Body in One Pacific Place, 105th and Center. For the rest of the week she was afraid to leave the house. The robber not only stole the bank deposits, he stole Jenna’s innocence. He robbed her of a sense of security.

Then on Wednesday we hear about the horrifying shooting eight victims and a suicide at WestRoads Mall. Nine people dead, 20 injured and many family members and friends left to grieve and search for answers in the midst.
Yes, this has been a week in which we, again, were stripped of our innocence and our sense of security.

Each time a small child is killed by a stray bullet in North Omaha we feel the pain. Each time some killed because of a drunk driver, we feel the pain. Each time a person become addicted to “crack”, “meth” or tries for the first time, marijuana we feel the pain, each time someone come to suffer from depression, we feel the pain. Each time divorce or separation happens we feel the pain.

Jesus cries out in anguish for a city that will sleep with even more awareness of our brokenness and the fragility of life.

I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me.” Psalms 69:29

We can find comfort, hope, peace and salvation in God.

On tomorrow night the Omaha area United Methodist Churches will be having a prayer vigil at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church 120th and Burke at 7.PM. You are encouraged to attend this time of praying, hoping comforting and being comforted in the love and peace of Christ.

Peace – God Peace – Shalom

Pastor William.

A Lasting Friendship

A single great event signaled both the beginning of Jonathan and David’s friendship and their falling from love and favor in Saul’s eyes—David’s defeat of the giant Goliath.
Goliath had been mocking and challenging the army of Israel for forty days. to all who saw him, he seemed invincible—their worst nightmare! He stood well over nine feet tall and wore chest armor weighing about 125 pounds! His armor bearer could barely even carry his shield.
Yet this did not frighten or deter David. He willingly challenged this champion of the philistines, knowing that God would deliver him just as He had done from the bear and the lion. God was truly with David, and David knew that the Eternal would grant him victory over the man who defied the army of the living God.

Running straight toward him, David killed this mighty giant with nothing but a sling and a small stone. He then stood over Goliath, cut off his head and brought it before Saul, speaking to him in the presence of Jonathan. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled before the army of Israel, who then chased after them in victory.

David’s courage and bravery that day affected Jonathan deeply; he was moved to love him as much as his own life. He realized that they shared much in common in the areas of courage, bravery, strength, loyalty, trust and faith in God. From that day forward, they were the best of friends. Jonathan was moved to the point of giving David some of his treasured items: His robe, sword, bow and belt, and even his armor.

Jonathan and David’s bond was so strong that they promised to never let anything come between them. Yet, Saul, upon hearing the people praise David in singing, “Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands,” sought to kill David from that day forward.

However, Jonathan’s love for his friend only grew. Many times, he interceded for David, warning him that his father was seeking to take his life. Jonathan urged his father not to do this, saying, “Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been towards you very good: For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the Lord wrought a great salvation for all Israel: you saw it, and did rejoice: wherefore then will you sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause” (I Sam. 19:4-5)?
Jonathan warned David and interceded for him so often that he put his own life in danger, one time narrowly escaping death at the hand of his father. He even risked his life by traveling a great distance to see David in hiding, knowing that his father surely had spies watching every move. And he did this knowing that David would ascend to the throne in his place. Understanding that he must decrease while David increased, he pledged to stand loyally beside him.

Think how easy it would have been for Jonathan to go along with his father’s plotting, giving in to carnal nature and lust for power. It would have been easy for him to fall into the same attitudes as Saul, to have a bitter state of mind, saying, “it’s not fair, God! Why should I be punished just because my father messed up?” instead, he not only accepted god’s decision, he became best friends with the man whom his own human nature would have considered his rival! In all of this, he showed great loyalty not only to David but also to God and his will. In a way, Jonathan showed loyalty to his father as well, preventing him from committing a terrible murder.

Yet, David also showed great loyalty to Saul and Jonathan. As many times as Jonathan and David were alone, it would have been very easy for David to give in to his human nature and kill a potential rival. Even when presented with the opportunity to sneak up on Saul (the very one trying to murder him) and kill him, David restrained himself. David well remembered the covenant made with his best friend, recalling the words Jonathan spoke:
“And you shall not only while yet I live show me the kindness of the Lord, that I die not: But also you shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever: no, not when the Lord has cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth” (I Sam. 20:14-15).

Even though David had been anointed king, he still showed great respect toward Jonathan—even to the point of bowing before him three times. So great was his love that, upon the news of Saul and Jonathan’s death, he composed a song of lamentation called the Song of the bow, and instructed that it be taught to the children of Judah. What a wonderful tribute to true friendship, when so many would have rejoiced at the death of rivals.

Even after the death of Jonathan, David kept his promise to show kindness to his friend. He searched out Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth, and provided for him the rest of his life.
You Can Have This Kind of Friendship!

Much can be learned from the friendship of Jonathan and David. They were both princes of Israel, one by birth, the other by marriage. They were both in line to assume the throne of Israel. Both were mighty men of valor, and were respected and trusted by the men they led in battle. Each had accomplished great feats, relying on God for victory. They were zealous, driven, resourceful, courageous, bold, meek, humble, and so much more. They knew and respected government, wielded authority and zealously served those under and over them. They were loyal to one another and to their king.

They could have been enemies and rivals, yet they set aside jealousy, resentment, bitterness, competition and lust for power, choosing instead to become the closest of friends. They knew how and when to laugh together, cry and show their emotions together, sharing hopes and dreams, thereby cementing their friendship forever. They were real men, able to show the true, proper and right love of a brotherly friendship, willing to lay down their lives for one another. So great was their friendship that at one of their partings, “they kissed one another, and wept one with another, but David more so” (I Sam. 20:41; NKJV).

How rare this kind of friendship is in the world today!
Yet, you can have this kind of friendship with God and Christ. Recall Christ’s words to his disciples: “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends, if you do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:13-15).

The record of David and Jonathan’s friendship has been preserved in the Bible for our benefit. It pictures the close relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ. they desire that same close, personal relationship with every human being. Jonathan and David’s friendship is a lasting legacy.
When David sees Jonathan come up in the resurrection, it will be just like the last day they saw each other, and they will continue to enjoy a friendship that will last for eternity. You can develop that kind of friendship with God and Christ, and with all others of like mind, who share the same goals, hopes and dreams.

Is F.ET.T.S ?

Pastor Williams
you can contact me @ wwilliams@rockbrookumc.com

Advent Christmas
at ROCKbrook
United Methodist Church

ADVENT / CHRISTMAS SERIES:
Questions and Answers at Christmas
Pastor Williams preaching / teaching at all services


December 2nd “Why Am I Here?”
I have heard many young adults and yes, older adults ask what is their purpose in life and how do they find it. This Advent season, we will explore the gift of finding meaning and purpose in your life.

December 9th “How Do I Overcome This Lonely Feeling?”
Christmas is supposed to be filled with cheer, joy and celebration, but many celebrate alone and even if you are with others, many still feel alone. We will explore, how you can overcome.

December 16th 8:30 service “Why is Life Hard?”
Life is hard, hard for us all. For some, it is a better harder which causes us to as the question more often and louder. Join us as we open the question, “Why is Life Hard and search for the answer. You could be surprised.
10:30 services: Our Children at worship.
Join us as we hear and experience the Christmas story through the “acting and singing of children. They will inspire you to live out the Christmas Spirit and remind us again of the birth of Christ in the world and your life. Join us for your annual Ad vent Dinner following our worship celebration

December 23rd “How Can I Find that One Special Relationship?”
Join us as we explore the question; is there really someone for me?

December 24th “Only One Day a Year?”
Service time: A Service of Carols and Lights 3:00 pm and 7: 00pm
At our 3:00 pm service, the Omaha Brass Quintet will be our special musical guest.
At the 7 00 pm service ROCKbrook’s Chancel Choir will lead us in singing as we hear the Biblical story of the Birth of Christ.
With the pageantry and excitement of Christmas, we soon realize that the day after Christmas is next. What do we do? How do we feel? How can I keep that Christmas spirit alive in the world? How can I keep that Christmas spirit alive in me? Join us as we find out how to open The Gift of Christmas year round.


Peace and Grace


Pastor William

wwilliams@rockbrookumc.com to share your comments

A Lesson from William, III

A Lesson from William, III

Read: Psalm 107:1-19
They cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses -- Psalm 107:19


It was Wednesday, and it was grocery day! It was the day that I stayed at home with our 3 small children while Idalene went to the grocery store. Idalene didn't go to get just a few things we needed! It was her major grocery shopping day.

There were times when we braved that day and all 5 of us went shopping together. But, those days often turned into adventures with all kinds of cereals and highly sugared snacks finding the way into our 2 carts. Why 2 carts? Because all our children wanted to ride. I guess it made it easier for them to access all the items they wanted--especially the cereals with the "free gifts."

Anyway, on this particular Wednesday, I was the stay-at-home dad while Idalene went grocery shopping.

Upon her return from the Winn Dixie store in Lubbock, Texas, she honked the horn, and we all ran out the door to help her bring in 100 sacks of food and other items. Okay, maybe it wasn't a hundred sacks, but it seemed like it.

We all pitched in to do our share. William, III was about 7 years old, Jamise was 6 years old, and Jenna was 3 years old. Each child carried a sack that was appropriate for his or her age and size. Each child wanted to take part in helping us.

All was going well until William, III decided he wanted to carry the sacks filled with canned goods, a gallon of milk and other heavy items. These were the sacks that I usually carried in, but William, III wanted to help me and show off his muscles and impress me.

He reached to pick up an extra heavy sack, and I said, "Sport, I will carry that one. It is real heavy." To which, he replied, "Dad, I can carry it. I have strong muscles," and he proceeded to show me his "strong" muscles.

I consented, giving him the go ahead to carry the heavy sack. I watched him as he stooped over to pick up the sack. He strained. He groaned. He really struggled with it, but he picked up the sack and took a few steps. Then, I could see his little arms begin to struggle, and he could not move. His eyes got bigger, as the sack began to slip from his small but willing arms. With his voice straining, he looked up at me and said, "Dad, this is too heavy, will you help me?"

I reached down to help him with the sack, and I helped him carry the sack into the kitchen. After the sack was securely placed on the counter, he proudly looked at me and said, "Dad, sometimes, I just need a little help!"

What a great story of faith! There are times in our lives when we carry heavy burdens or sacks. Most of the time, we can carry them by ourselves, but often we try our hardest to carry heavy burdens or work out difficult problems with no success.

After having done our best, we wonder why we have met with failure. Lovingly and patiently, our God reminds us that we must learn to depend on Him. We must call upon God for help when the sacks of life get too heavy!

Let's stop struggling to carry the sacks of trouble and difficulty in our lives that far exceed our own strength.

Like the Israelites of old, let's call on the Lord to save us from our distresses. Psalm 107:19

Do you remember this song?

Ask the Savior to help you,
Comfort, strengthen, and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.


Peace and Grace

Pastor William

What Would You Change?

How does or did this video speak to you?

Are there things that you would like to change about your life?

What is God calling you to change in your life?

Are you ready to make that step?

Email me at wwilliams@rockbrookumc.com

ROCKbrook United Methodist Church

9855 West Center Road

Omaha Nebraska 68124

Service times: 8:30 am and 10:30 am

http://www.rockbrookumc.com/

wwilliams@rockbrookumc.om

ARE YOU A DISCIPLE FOR CHRIST

What is Discipleship? What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? What does it mean to make disciples of Jesus Christ? According to the American Heritage Dictionary, “disciple” means, “One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another.” Jesus Christ!

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? What does it mean to make disciples of Jesus Christ? According to the American Heritage Dictionary, “disciple” means, “One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another.”

Jesus Christ!Called to be a discipleWe are first called into relationship with Jesus Christ before we even know it. God’s grace is available to us before we can even recognize it. Some have said that our soul / spirit is “wired” to seek God.

Yes, we are all called in someway to be a Disciple for Christ.For some of us who were brought up in the church, our faith is something that has always been a part of us. Others come into relationship through a gradual recognition of God in their lives or perhaps through a conversion experience where their hearts “are strangely warmed.” John Wesley’s Aldergate experience.
When he recognized the presence of Christ in his life.

Nurtured as a disciple Disciples are life-long learners – students of the master. Through prayer, worship, the Sacraments, and Bible study we grow in our faith, becoming more like Christ as our faith matures and becomes an integral part of who we are. We share in Christian community in our churches and in small groups like Sunday School, United Methodist Women or Men, and Bible Studies or other faith development opportunities. Disciples sent out in ministry As disciples, we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ. We participate in ministries of compassion and justice such as Habitat for Humanity, supplying the food bank, mission trips, cooking and serving meals at The Stephen’s Center, participating the Nothing But Nets program, rebuilding a church destroyed by a tornado and so much more. We make a difference in a hurting world, giving people a hand up to a better life or creating systems of justice that will end cycles of injustice. Disciples sharing faith Disciples are called to complete the circle of discipleship.

Discipleship: It is for Life. We share our faith, as well as invite and welcome new disciples into our community of faith. Why do we do this? To be able to report higher worship attendance numbers or to get more funds into our church for ministry? No, because, every person in the pew means another soul saved and another person to become the hands and feet of Jesus in a hurting world.

Do you remember the old Breck shampoo commercial (I couldn’t use it now)? The commercial celebrated the product by saying it was so good that each person who used it would “tell two friends, and they’ll tell two friends, and they’ll tell two friends…” Imagine what ROCKbrook would be like – imagine what our world would be like - if each of us told two friends about the Good News, and they told two friends, and they told two friends! As Jesus commanded us, we are called to share our faith: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

Pastor William

WE ARE FAMILY!

The weekend of August 24th was a weekend of joy and delight!

Nearly 100 of my relatives and extended family members from across the United States gathered in Omaha to have a family reunion. "It was a grand and glorious time."

The family reunion was not only a time to get reacquainted with family members that we already knew, but it was an opportunity for us to meet new extended family members. My family reunion was a reunion of the Bobo family and the Danner family? The Danner family is from my mother's side of the family. It has been traced back to 1835 In South Carolina, and the history of the Danner family has been traced back even farther then this.

Our reunion was about discovery and connecting and building a family. It was an amazing time for all who attended. We laughed, and we shared personal stories of tragedy and triumph. We remembered the funny and the not so funny stories about others, and we discovered how we were connected to the relatives we met for the first time. It was a grand and glorious time!

The Bobo family is from my mother’s side of the family, and it originated from the Fulani tribe in the country of Nigeria. This fact was discovered when my cousin, Charlotte, had a DNA test, made famous by Oprah Winfrey and many others. The test has been proven to be 99% accurate. Wow! What a discovery! I can still recall my sense of awe as I stepped off a plane in 2000 when I went to Nigeria with a group from the Nebraska Annual Conference. As I looked around, I paused for a while -- taking in the moment and wondering if this was where it all began for me. And now, seven years later, I discover the answer is "Yes." I now know more about my genealogical roots. What an enlightening fact this is for me!

I will share more discoveries at a later date, but for now, I want to concentrate on family.

As I reflect on my weekend, I can't help but think how the Church is like Family.

1 Timothy 3:15, 5:1-8

The Church Is Family! That' is good news!

Now, did you read Timothy 3:15? "I am writing this message to you, so you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth." In this scripture verse, the word "household" is the term used for family.

Read 1 Timothy 5:4 "Children of widows should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family."

Read 1 Timothy 5:8. "If you do) not provide for your relatives, and especially for your immediate family, you have denied your faith and your family. Doing this is worse than being an unbeliever."

Two truths are obvious here. First, family matters! And second, the church is family!

There are other scripture readings where the Bible makes this same claim.

Ephesians 2:19-20 reads, "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household . . ." Here, we notice the use of the word "household" again.

Hebrews 2:11 contains an amazing statement. The passage is talking about the Son of God identifying with humanity and becoming a man who will die on the cross for us. "Both the one who makes us holy and those who are made holy are of the same family, and Jesus was not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters."

We are family on earth and in heaven. That's good news!

The church is family. We all have the same heavenly Father, and we are brothers and sisters in Christ. We also have family resemblances.

In our biological families, we may look like our parents. Of course, there are exceptions. Take my family, for example. I have four brothers and two sisters. None of us look exactly alike, but we have the same features. Some of us look like my father, while others look like my mother. I look a lot like my mother. The same is true of Idalene's and my three children. William, III looks like me, Jenna looks like Idalene, and Jamise resembles both of us.

At first glance, you might not think the church family resembles each other much, and externally that's true. We come from different races and different ethnic backgrounds. Some are tall, and some are short. Some have dark hair, and some have almost no hair. Our personalities are different, too. Some are outgoing, while others are more reserved. Some folks bubble over with energy, while others are more laid back.

We are all individuals, and we all have different characteristics. There are family resemblances though! Morally and spiritually, in our behaviors
and in our reactions to things around us, there are (or at least there should be) resemblances.

That's what the Bible is driving at when it says that God's plan is that we "be conformed to the likeness of His Son" (Romans 8:29) "and that your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5. We resemble one another because the same Spirit is trying to produce the same inner qualities in our lives--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:26.

We are family. That's the good news. We are not alone. We have a big family that cares about one another. Our brothers and sisters are here to support and encourage us. When we are down, they lift us up. When we are discouraged, they cheer us up. When we hurt, they hurt. When we are honored, they share our joy. Our family includes older folks, from whom we can learn. And, there are younger folks who make us laugh, encourage us, and remind us that the family will live on, even when we cannot. That's good to know.

We are family, and we are all headed for a great family reunion some day. We are going to spend eternity loving the Father and getting better acquainted with one another. We will meet relatives we never knew we had. It will be a wonderful reunion when the family meets at our Father's house.

Aren't you glad we are part of the family--the family of God! Amen.