Thank you

The United Methodist Women were hostesses to the Binghamton District meeting on October 15th, 41 ladies were present. Flood conditions in other areas kept our attendance down this year. We all enjoyed the program and the Valley Four men's group singing for us.

United Methodist Women Fall Meeting

On Saturday October 15 the annual fall meeting of the Binghamton district will be held at McKendree. At 9:30 there will be refreshments and registration, 10:00 am the program will start. Dr. Blenda Smith will be the guest speaker, and she will be sharing her Haiti experiences. After lunch there will be a business meeting, acknowledge Mission Today Units, and candle lighting ceremony. Cost is $7.00 per person. All are welcome!

The Rich Family In Church

The Rich Family In Church
By Eddie Ogan

I'll never forget Easter 1946. I was 14, my little sister Ocy was 12,and my older sister Darlene 16. We lived at home with our mother, and the four of us knew what it was to do without many things. My dad had died five years before, leaving Mom with seven school kids to raise and no money.

By 1946 my older sisters were married and my brothers had left home. A month before Easter the pastor of our church announced that a special Easter offering would be taken to help a poor family. He asked everyone to save and give sacrificially.

When we got home, we talked about what we could do. We decided to buy 50 pounds of potatoes and live on them for a month. This would allow us to save $20 of our grocery money for the offering. When we thought that if we kept our electric lights turned out as much as possible and didn't listen to the radio, we'd save money on that month's electric bill. Darlene got as many house and yard cleaning jobs as possible, and both of us babysat for everyone we could. For 15 cents we could buy enough cotton loops to make three pot holders to sell for $1.

We made $20 on pot holders. That month was one of the best of our lives.

Every day we counted the money to see how much we had saved. At night we'd sit in the dark and talk about how the poor family was going to enjoy having the money the church would give them. We had about 80 people in church, so figured that whatever amount of money we had to give, the offering would surely be 20 times that much. After all, every Sunday the pastor had reminded everyone to
save for the sacrificial offering.

The day before Easter, Ocy and I walked to the grocery store and got the manager to give us three crisp $20 bills and one $10 bill for all our change.

We ran all the way home to show Mom and Darlene. We had never had so much money before.

That night we were so excited we could hardly sleep. We didn't care that we wouldn't have new clothes for Easter; we had $70 for the sacrificial offering.

We could hardly wait to get to church! On Sunday morning, rain was pouring. We didn't own an umbrella, and the church was over a mile from our home, but it didn't seem to matter how wet we got. Darlene had cardboard in her shoes to fill the holes. The cardboard came apart, and her feet got wet.

But we sat in church proudly. I heard some teenagers talking about the Smith girls having on their old dresses. I looked at them in their new clothes, and I felt rich.

When the sacrificial offering was taken, we were sitting on the second row from the front. Mom put in the $10 bill, and each of us kids put in a $20.

As we walked home after church, we sang all the way. At lunch Mom had a surprise for us. She had bought a dozen eggs, and we had boiled Easter eggs with our fried potatoes! Late that afternoon the minister drove up in his car. Mom went to the door, talked with him for a moment, and then came back with an envelope in her hand. We asked what it was, but she didn't say a word. She opened the envelope and out fell a bunch of money. There were three crisp $20 bills, one $10 and seventeen $1 bills.

Mom put the money back in the envelope. We didn't talk, just sat and stared at the floor. We had gone from feeling like millionaires to feeling like poor white trash. We kids had such a happy life that we felt sorry for anyone who didn't have our Mom and Dad for parents and a house full of brothers and sisters and other kids visiting constantly. We thought it was fun to share silverware and see whether we got the spoon or the fork that night.

We had two knifes that we passed around to whoever needed them. I knew we didn't have a lot of things that other people had, but I'd never thought we were poor.

That Easter day I found out we were. The minister had brought us the money for the poor family, so we must be poor. I didn't like being poor. I looked at my dress and worn-out shoes and felt so ashamed--I didn't even want to go back to church. Everyone there probably already knew we were poor!

I thought about school. I was in the ninth grade and at the top of my class of over 100 students. I wondered if the kids at school knew that we were poor. I decided that I could quit school since I had finished the eighth grade. That was all the law required at that time. We sat in silence for a long time. Then it got dark, and we went to bed. All that week, we girls went to school and came home, and no one talked much. Finally on Saturday, Mom asked us what we wanted to do with the money. What did poor people do with money? We didn't know. We'd never known we were poor. We didn't want to go to church on Sunday, but Mom said we had to. Although it was a sunny day, we didn't talk on the way.

Mom started to sing, but no one joined in and she only sang one verse. At church we had a missionary speaker. He talked about how churches in Africa made buildings out of sun dried bricks, but they needed money to buy roofs. He said $100 would put a roof on a church. The minister said, "Can't we all sacrifice to help these poor people?" We looked at each other and smiled for the first time in a week.

Mom reached into her purse and pulled out the envelope. She passed it to Darlene. Darlene gave it to me, and I handed it to Ocy. Ocy put it in the offering.

When the offering was counted, the minister announced that it was a little over $100. The missionary was excited. He hadn't expected such a large offering from our small church. He said, "You must have some rich people in this church."

Suddenly it struck us! We had given $87 of that "little over $100."

We were the rich family in the church! Hadn't the missionary said so? From that day on I've never been poor again. I've always remembered how rich I am because I have Jesus!

Our Mission Statement

   It is the purpose of McKendree United Methodist Church in Candor, New York, to glorify the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.
   Therefore, we will provide a place of worship where all people may express their faith as they seek a closer relationship to God and others.
   We will reach out in mission by caring for those in need and by inviting others to discover what the power of Christ can do in their lives.
   We will gladly accept the privilege and responsibility of being Christ's body on earth, so that we may be a faithful witness to God's love in action.

Welcome to our webpage!

This webpage is currently being updated. Stay tuned for further updates.

Christmas Play

We're doing a play! "All I want for Christmas is Jesus" will be performed durring Sunday morning worship on December 19. Be there!

Sunday School

SUNDAY SCHOOL IS BACK!!!!!!!

Sunday School started up again this last Sunday with classes for ages 3-93. Come at 9:30am for great lessons and great friends.

Bible Study on the Fruits of the Spirit: LOVE

1. How would you have defined love at one of the following times in your life?

• when you were a child
• when you were at teenager
• when you were a young adult

2. How has your understanding of love changed over the years?

Read Philippians 2:1-11

3. What does this passage teach about what love looks like?

4. What has Jesus done to model perfect love for us?

5. How can we follow Jesus' example of love?

6. Name a time when you had a chance to treat someone else better than yourself but failed to do so?

7. Name a time that you did not feel like being loving to someone but with God's help you were able to?

Please post your answers in the comments section and remember you can talk generically about a situation without naming names if that makes you more comfortable. Next post with new questions will be Sunday 8/8.

Acts 28

"He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ-with all boldness and without hindrance!"

That is how the book of Acts ends. Paul is still alive, living in Rome, and this is how Luke chooses to end his story. If someone were writing about your life, and had to end the story today, could this sentence be part of the conclusion. Would it say, "that is the story of (So and So) who proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ with boldness." I think this is the power behind the whole story of the Holy Spirit working through the early church. Acts reminds us that it was not any easier then than it is now. But those people were bold in Jesus name.

May we be bold! May we proclaim God's kingdom! May we share our faith in Jesus Christ with others! May we be empowered by the Holy Spirit to do great things!

Acts 27

To the point- I think the example here to follow is the centurian. He begins to trust Paul's prophecy, and when some people start to put out that life boat to escape, he cuts it free. When they get to shore, and the soldiers plan to kill the prisoners, he kept them from doing it. That is good stuff. When we see God at work, it is always better to get in on the plan than to fight it.

Acts 24

This court case is crazy. And the result of it is that Felix does nothing except keep Paul in jail (with some freedom) for 2 years. But in that time something wierd happens. Felix decides to listen to Paul's message. Now, the reason for the time together is because he wants a bribe, but the message he hears scares him. What is wierd is that Felix is so shaken by the message, but when he gets shaken, he stops everything and starts again later (because he still wants a bribe).

Can we ignore such a call? Aparently we can. Can we ignore the drawing of the Holy Spirit; the shaking of our soul? I guess so. What I whitness here is two extreems: a ruler who can't give up his comforts and greed to follow Jesus, and a man who went willing into the middle of trouble because he can't possibly keep from following Jesus. It reminds me of what Jim Elliot said, "He is no fool who give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Paul is in jail, but has eternity in his hold. Felix grasps for money, which he never gets, ignoring an eternal reward.

I hope I have the wisdom to recognize the shaking of my spirit; to embrace the fear of God, and be bold like Paul...not selfish like Felix.

Acts 23

"...so you must also testify in Rome."

I like how Paul stands up to the leaders one minute, but backs off and speaks wisely the next. Not only does it get him out of immediate danger, but it allows him to hear from God the plan He is about to set in motion. God tells Paul he will testify in Rome, and his journey begins that night.

The command Ithink followers of Jesus need to heed is the simple command to, "Take courage!" God always gives that one when something big and difficult is about to happen. I'm not sure we hear that command much, possibly because we aren't ready for the big stuff...the stuff that will summon our courage. But our faith demands big things of us. May we desire big things.

Acts 22

I wish I could pull out something like, "O yeah, by the way, I am a Roman citizen" and have everybody be like, "O crap. Sorry, sorry sorry!" Paul is so cool that way.

I find it interesting that Paul can share a whole story about his meeting with God, but as soon as he implies that God just might possibly be interested in everyone...not just the crowd that is listening right now...people flip out! Seriously, they really flip out. I'm not sure if they are mad because his message is for Gentiles, or if they are mad because it isn't for them. Either way, they are mad.

New things should be exciting to us. More people being drawn into relationship with Jesus should be the coolest thing ever. But all to often, when something new happens, or God seems to use someone else a little more to expand his kingdom, we get mad. Maybe we don't scream for someone's death and tear our clothes off, but jealousy and anger seem to rule the day. I see books and articles written all the time to inform me that something new (music, worship style, Bible translation) isn't really Christian. I hear of churches that spend most of their time calling the stuff other churches are doing sinful. And because we are so angry about not being the one getting all the attention, I think we miss something awesome that God is doing.

I think the challenge of reading this scene is to not miss it. And I think the coolest thing about this chapter is that Paul, after taking a beating, insists on telling those who just beat him about a cool thing God is doing to expand his kingdom. May I be as brave as Paul and more receptive than his audience.

Acts 20

Before Paul sails for Jerusalem, he gathers his friends and lets thm know he will never see them again...something is gonna happen there. But before Paul leaves, he gives them some instructions; challenges we shudl still carry on with today.
We are overseers of the church! That church we oversee, it has been bought with the blood of Jesus Christ, and entrusted to us by the Holy Spirit! Our duty is to proclaim the "whole will of God." The whole will of God strengthens the weak, satisfies our longings, and saves our souls! Yet Paul warns us to be on guard for those who would distort the word and use it to draw people away to follow them.
It seems to me that what Paul worries about is those who would proclaim the selective word of God. The selective words of God is popular! Ignoring certain scriptures makes life easier! mercy without justice (or vice versa) is much more black and white! And a word that allows you to make faith personal, and not a social responsibility, is nice and simple! But that word is incomplete. And I can't help but think we have let many a savage wolf come in to this precious church and have his/her way because we too have fallen for something partial.
I think the challenge from Paul here is to embrace that "whole will of God." I struggle with what that means, but I am sure it is much more complicated and unpopular than the way I am living right now.

Acts 18

I wonder what would happen if, like Apollos, we studied the Scriptures with such fervor that we had the courage to stand up and speak boldly the message we read there?

I wonder what would happen if, like Priscilla and Aquila, we were willing to share with bold believers what we had learned in ministry, and, like Apollos, we would listen and involve ourselves in that discussion, so that we all had a better understanding of our faith.

I wonder what would change if, like Paul, we listened for the voice of God and took courage from his words and spoke without fear to our communities, trusting in him.

I wonder what would occur if we continually sought new audiences, shaking off the stubborn and seeking the willing?

Today, I just wonder.

Acts 17

"Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." Acts 17:11

Listen and test. The Bereans were on to something, they listen eagerly to the message, and then test it with scripture just to make sure it is right. There are plenty of opportunities to simply listen and receive all knids of messages these days. There are churches offering all kinds of things in exchange for little life change or lots of cash. To simply receive the exciting new message and not examine its truth leads many to make bad decissions and feel false securty. I think the Bereans realized that an exciting new message is nice, but there needed to be something solid backing it up. They understood that if it sounds too good to be true, it just might be.
I think the modern church has spent a lot of time listening to their pastor(s) and simply making what he or she says their new theology. They stand up for what their pastor has told them, witout ever having tested it themselves. Then there are those who refuse to listen to what their pastor speaks, because they grew up believing something else (like those jealous Thessalonian jews). The Bereans have much to teach us here. We are to listen to those who proclaim a message from God's word, and we are to look to God's word for ourselves to make sure what our pastor is teaching us (or what we grew up believing) is right.
The Bereans were simply willing to read their scriptures! Too bad more Christians aren't.

Acts 16

What I like about the book of Acts is that it just keeps going; lots of exciting stuff!

I like how Paul really knows where he wants to go next: Asia. However, the Spirit keeps not letting him go. Finally he has a vision about someplace different and he goes there instead. It makes me wonder how often we go where we want, and not where God wants. Remember, Paul is really in tune with the Spirit, and I keep questioning how in tune we are. Al the stuff we do...I wonder if it is really where God would have us go?

I was struck by the story of the girl who could predict the future. She is right when she speaks, and the Bible speaks of her as having a very real spirit that speaks truthful things, yet the spirit is driven from her. Too many Christians still think it is okay to dabble in such things. The Bible says it is real, and it is not okay. And ultimately, this girl, like very fortune teller I've ever seen, is used for profit. This is not a good thing, and it is a good reminder considering the situation surrounding our small town.

Finally, the scene in the jail is cool. I like how Paul and Silas sing songs after being beaten and jailed, then are freed from their chains but stay put as a witness to those arround them. These two opt for difficult things so they can share the gospel over easy things so they can save their own skin.

Acts 12

Herod gets eaten up by worms. Nice...gross, but nice.
Let me tell you what I love in this section. When Peter is arrested, the whole church starts to pray for him. (After all, Christians who get arrested are suddenly being executed) What happens? Their prayers get answered! An angel wakes him up, releases his chains, tells him to get dressed, walks him past the guards, and right out the gate! He goes to a house, where people are praying for him and when a girl tells them all that Peter is at the door, they do not believe her! They are more willing to believe an angel is at the door than Peter! It blows my mind, but also reminds me of that great verse that says our God is able to do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine." (Ephesians 3:20) The church prayed for Peter, bt they did not imagine he could simply walk out of jail, and probably did not ask for such a thing...but that is exactly what happened!
This story always makes me wonder what would happen if we (the church) prayed for really big stuff. It makes me realize that God is not sitting arround waiting to respond to the prayers of the church. He is on the edge of his seat, contemplating doing something bigger than we could even think of asking for. I need to stop making excuses, and start getting together with the church to pray!

Acts 11

Criticism...figures.
Newness is never a good thing...or so it seems. Here we have Peter in the world, preaching the gospel, sharing Jesus with people, and all any of his fellow believers care about is who it is he is sharing with. They do not like it. And we find Peter having to explain himself about why he has done the unthinkable; share Jesus with a non-Jew.
Maybe I am just bitter, but it does seem like new missions, new ministries, and new ideas are often met with resistance. The church seems uncomfortable whenever challenged outside our comfort zone. But in my experience, it is when we get out of our comfort zone that big things happen. Peter preached to Gentiles and actually saw the Holy Spirit fill them. Others went to far places and shared the good news, and it was in Antioch, where Barnabas and Paul spent a year, a church of gentiles, where great numbers believed, that people were first called Christians.
I once had a professor tell me, "Criticism is not a fruit of the Spirit." I think that is true. I think it actually quenches the Spirit. But I am also glad that in this case, the skeptical leaders where actually willing to sit and listen to Peter and discover his motives and calling (eventually). I hope I will be open minded about the different ways God calls and uses people in ministry. And when I am skeptical, I hope my first inclination will be to listen to other Christians about the new thing they are doing, not blindly criticising.

Acts 8

Acts 8 is a study in bold ministry. It starts our with a persecuted church being forced out. They are going and telling people about Jesus wherever they go. They are bold and Spirit led individuals. There are some bumps along the way with new believers, but the leadership is bold enough to say what the problems are, and the new believers humble enough to ask for help. But what really hit me is Philip and his connection to God. He is led by angels and drawn by the Spirit in a way I have never experienced. When urged to approach an important figure, he does so. And when he saw an opportunity to share the gospel, he does so. When asked if he could baptize that Ethiopian, he finds a bit of water and does it. He never wavers, never questions, and doesn't requires extra classes for the baptism. He just goes and does in Jesus name. He leads people to salvation everywhere he goes because he is sold out for Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is just all over him. I think it is just amazing.