Halloween Ruminations

A friend of mine once told me that he didn't like Halloween.

I was totally baffled. As a child, Halloween was always one of my favorite holidays. I mean, what was not to like? I got to wear whatever I wanted, carved up pumpkins and ate the seeds, and received tons of candy from complete strangers. After a full evening of trick-or-treating, I would go to the dining room and turn my jack-o-lantern-shaped plastic bucket upside-down, watching a veritable rainbow of candy spill out to form a glorious pile of tooth decay-inducing sugar on the table.

So when my friend told me he didn't like Halloween, I had to ensure I had heard him correctly before demanding to know why.

Halloween, he posited, is a crutch for people who can't find the courage to do what they secretly want to do until they are shielded by a holiday that lets anything go. On Halloween, anyone can become a ninja, a princess, a celebrity -- whatever or whomever they want. This was something he believed indicated a desire in the costumed individual to become more like their external appearance.

But, I argued, not everyone actually wants to become what their costume represents. I assured you that I didn't have a secret inner desire to become more cow-like, despite the black and white spotted clothes I wore on October 31, 1992.

He conceded it was true that not everyone uses Halloween to pretend to be what they only wished they were. Still, the temptation to use the holiday as an excuse and a shield to improve or change oneself still seemed ridiculous to him. If one wants to be stronger, he thought, one should train at the gym. If one wants to be a ballerina, one should go take some lessons. If one wants to be bolder or a better speaker or a fantastic chef, one should apply the time it would take to make a costume to achieving that goal instead.

While I still don't entirely agree -- I still think Halloween is fantastic, and it's alright to let our imaginations run rampant every now and then -- I do agree that we shouldn't have to wait for any particular moment or day to become the person we want to be, or the person God is calling us to be.

What do you wish you were? Who do you want to be? Do something about it! Remember that God is not passive; instead, He is full of purpose. As His child, your life should be purpose-filled, too.

Update for October 25, 2009

Last week in Sunday school, we talked about how God is revealing himself in our lives. The South Main blog, http://themainblog.wordpress.com, is a great source of stories that detail how God is moving in the lives of those in our congregation. It's full of lots of interesting articles about a variety of subjects by all sorts of folks at church, so check it out!

If you haven't already, please join our Facebook group! Also, we're tweeting regularly and updating the blog every week!

Announcements:

• College Tour is next week, November 2-3. Stay tuned for information about when South Main is coming to a campus near you!
  
• If you are interested in working for Passport summer camps in 2010, know that the priority deadline for staff applications is November 1. For more info, visit www.passportstaff.org.
  
• Fall Festival (and the infamous college class Sausage on a Stick... yum!), November 15, noon, front lawn
• Catch Up Double Up Sunday is November 15. If you have fallen behind on your giving, this is the week to catch up. If you're in a position to give more than you planned, even the smallest gift could make an enormous difference.
  
• Discovery Weekend: what are your spiritual gifts? Find out on November 20, 6:30pm. Contact mdethrow@comcast.net to sign up.
• This December, several of South Main's own are going to spend a Buckner Christmas in Peru, during which they will visit orphanages and distribute Christmas gifts and humanitarian aid. If you would like to contribute to the gifts, please bring them to Chelsea Wade's box in the 3rd floor church office, or you can bring them to Sunday school, and we'll take care of them. Examples of items needed include:
• coloring books
• plastic jewelry
• bubbles
• board games
• Christmas CDs in Spanish
• journals
• Children's Tylenol (including chewable)
  
• vitamins for children and adults in large bottles
• Children's cold medicine
• antiperspirant
• antibiotic cream and band-aids
• diapers
  

Prayer Requests and Praises:

• Continue to keep Jim's mom in your prayers. She had surgery on Oct 27.
• Pray for clarity and focus as midterms continue
• Praise: Virginia's grandfather has moved home
• Pray for Virginia as she applies to graduate school this fall
  
• Praise: Marie's mom is doing much better this week. Thank you for your prayers.

Update for October 18, 2009

Last week, Jim delivered a crazy Sunday school lesson about some not-so-warm-and-fuzzy Psalms. I wonder what this week will hold!

Be sure to check out the new youth building. I know it's not a facility the college class will be using much, but it's BEAUTIFUL, and it's evidence of how awesome the New Wave Campaign is!

If you haven't already, please join our Facebook group! Also, we're tweeting regularly and updating the blog every week!

Announcements:

• Water's Edge: Drop in to learn more about SMBC, whether you've been here for years or only weeks.
  
• Oct 18, 9:30 in the Parlor (behind the Sanctuary): Where Can I Get Connected at South Main?
• Oct 25, 9:30 in the Parlor: Where Can I Serve at South Main?
  
• If you are interested in working for Passport summer camps in 2010, know that the priority deadline for staff applications is Nov 1. For more info, visit www.passportstaff.org.
  
• Fall Festival (and the infamous college class Sausage on a Stick... yum!), November 15, 12:00pm, front lawn
• Discovery Weekend: what are your spiritual gifts? Find out on November 20, 6:30pm. Contact mdethrow@comcast.net to sign up.
  
• This month, we are working together as a church family to memorize Psalm 139:7-10. Do you have it memorized yet?
  

Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

Prayer Requests and Praises:

• Jim's mom is having surgery on Oct 27. Please keep her in your prayers
• Marie's mom had a rough week last week with her atrial fibrillation (A-Fib). Keep her in your prayers too!

Have a fantastic week. I leave you with this parting gift: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWhUeAy35qc

God's Hand Revealed: A Spiritual Focus for the Month of October

October 18, 2009

Worshiping Together
This week, we will be learning about Onesimus; our readings will come from Philemon 1:10-18.

Reading and Reflecting Together: When God Winks at You by Squire Rushnell
In Church vernacular we call them epiphanies, those moments of awakening when you realize God is present and moving in your life. Squire Rushnell has coined the phrase "godwink" to describe those moments when he and countless other people have God's hand revealed through the mundane and often homely occurrences of our lives. His book, When God Winks at You, will be our gift to you during our month-long emphasis on seeing God's hand revealed. We are offering one free copy per family.

Memorizing Scripture Together
This month, the SMBC family is working together to commit to memory Psalm 139:7-10: "Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."

Update for October 11, 2009

Hey everybody! I hope those of you in Houston enjoyed the cool weather this past weekend! And for those of you up in New York and Chicago... I'm jealous!

If you haven't already, please join our Facebook group! Also, we're tweeting regularly and updating the blog every week!

Announcements:

• SkyRocket - THIS FRIDAY, October 16, Continental Club
• College Tour - Oct 26-27
• This month, we are working together as a church family to memorize Psalm 139:7-10. Get to work!

Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

Prayer Requests and Praises:

• Pray for each other as we're all getting through midterms
• Ian has survived the typhoon and found a church that is fascinated with his adopted Southernisms (check out his blog post regarding this).
• Jennifer's 98-year-old grandmother is coming home with live-in care.
  
• Joey has an all-day test today (Tuesday)
• The first Deep Dish was a great success! Huge thanks to Jennifer, Amy, and Joey for all their hard work!
  

God's Hand Revealed: A Spiritual Focus for the Month of October

October 11, 2009

Worshiping Together
This week, we will be learning about Naaman; our readings will come from 2 Kings 5:1-17.

Reading and Reflecting Together: When God Winks at You by Squire Rushnell
In Church vernacular we call them epiphanies, those moments of awakening when you realize God is present and moving in your life. Squire Rushnell has coined the phrase "godwink" to describe those moments when he and countless other people have God's hand revealed through the mundane and often homely occurrences of our lives. His book, When God Winks at You, will be our gift to you during our month-long emphasis on seeing God's hand revealed. We are offering one free copy per family on October 11 after the 11:00am service.

Memorizing Scripture Together
This month, the SMBC family is working together to commit to memory Psalm 139:7-10. Join us in this ancient and rewarding practice of memorizing scripture.

Update for October 4, 2009

If you're in the area, please come (and invite your friends!) to Deep Dish, an exciting new event series hosted by the SMBC College Community! Come to the Martel College TV Room at Rice University at 6pm this Saturday for FREE FOOD and an awesome discussion led by our own Amy Grizzle! Here's the topic for the evening:

unChristian Christians?
Most young people outside the church hold an overwhelmingly negative perception of Christianity and those who practice it. What causes these views, and how can Christians reflect to others a more compassionate religion--one that embraces the true nature of Jesus, honors the historic principles of the Christian faith, and works hard to understand the world in which we live?

Disclaimer: This event is open to anyone, regardless of faith or background. We want to tackle difficult questions, hear candid opinions, and start an open and respectful dialogue. And, don't forget, feed you for free!

For more info or to RSVP, please visit the Facebook event page.

Other Announcements:

• Sky Rocket is playing at the Continental Club on Oct 16. You're sure to find some friendly SMBC faces if you come!! :)
• College Tour is coming to a town near (most of) you, October 26-27.
• Fall Festival and the SMBC College Community's famous Sausage on a Stick booth are returning November 15 after the 11:00 service!

Prayer Requests and Praises

• Pray for the safe return of Jan and Kate!

God's Hand Revealed: A Spiritual Focus for the Month of October

October 4, 2009

Worship Service
This week, we will be learning about Mary, Martha's sister, and we will take the Lord's Supper. Our readings will come from John 12 and Ruth 1:16.

Pot Luck Lunch
Why is it that sharing a meal with family so richly transcends simply meeting our dietary needs? There is something about gathering together to partake of food made by the hands of people who love us to show us in a very basic and primal way that He is among us. Sharing a meal with family is ordinary in a very extraordinary way. As we intentionally focus in October on seeing God in the ordinary acts of our lives, it seemed important to share a meal among our church family. Therefore, on Sunday, October 4, immediately following the 11:00am service, we will share a traditional potluck lunch in the gym. Please come and enjoy a special time of fellowship!

Sharing Scripture Together
In a moment of sincerity and candor, the Psalmist confesses, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." This October, we will join with the Psalmist in practicing the ancient spiritual discipline of Scripture memory, using as our text Psalm 139:7-10. By committing to gather those sacred words in our heads and hearts, we invite the Scriptures and Spirit into our inner life for an ongoing conversation throughout the day.

Update for September 27

Hey everyone! We've have some exciting stuff coming up, so be sure to check out the twitter updates and facebook page.

If you're looking for something fun this weekend, head to the Greek Festival at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral (really near St. Thomas and a quick drive from Rice, at 3511 Yoakum Blvd), Oct 1-4. More details at http://www.greekfestival.org/.

Announcements:

• Church-Wide Potluck Lunch, Oct 4 after 11:00 service in the gym
• Water's Edge: Whether you have been at South Main for many months or just a few weeks, you may have questions about who we are, what we do, and how you can get involved. If so, join us for a new series of drop-in classes. We'll meet 9:30am in the Parlor on Sunday mornings for an hour.
  
• Oct 4: Baptist 101
  
• Oct 11: South Main's vision and mission: Worship, Discover, Share
  
• Oct 18: Where can I get connected at South Main?
• Oct 25: Where can I serve at South Main?
  
• Deep Dish, Oct 10, 6:00pm, Martel College TV Room, Rice University -- free food and awesome discussion led by our own Amy Grizzle - especially those of you at Rice, encourage your friends to check this out!
  
• Skyrocket, Oct 16 at the Continental Club
• College Tour, Oct 26-27. We're coming to a town near (most of) you!
  

Prayer Requests & Praises:

• Please pray for Jan and Kate as they travel to Paris