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Dear Friends in Christ, Conventional wisdom says that, on the whole, "people get what they deserve." So, if you make good choices, work hard, and keep your nose clean so to speak, you end up with a higher status in our society. On the flip side, if you make poor choices, refuse to work (or refuse to work in a way that's socially or legally acceptable), or end up mixed in with the unacceptable or the unaccepted, you end up with a lower status in our society. That's just how the world typically works. We often translate this mindset over to our interaction with God as well. If we can change our social status based on our lives, our choices, and our productivity, then certainly we can improve our status with God, can't we? This raises some important questions: Is it possible to earn God's blessing? Is it possible to lose God's blessing? Do we have the ability to achieve a higher status before God the more we choose to live like Jesus? Jesus tackles these questions head-on in the very beginning of the Sermon on the Mount with a radical announcement about who will be blessed in the Kingdom of God. In the very beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." What does he mean when he says this? As people who are trying to live like Jesus, do we need to become poor in spirit in order to receive God's blessing? I'm excited to explore these words of Jesus and their meaning for our lives with you in worship this weekend as we seek to continue living like Jesus together, and I hope you will make every effort to attend one
of our four worship services! Finally, it was good to welcome Claire Markham, Holden Primm, Laurie Gregory, Mark Krebs and Jessica Jolley as new members. Welcome to our church community. In Christ's Love,
Travis Garner Rev. Travis Garner Pastor of Discipleship Our District Superintendent, Rev. John Colette, and our Staff-Parish Relations Committee are pleased to share with you that the following clergy are reappointed to BUMC for the coming year (in alphabetical order by last name): Rev. Dr. Laura Brantley - Pastor of Congregational Care Rev. Eric Burton-Krieger - Pastor of Group Life for Adults Rev. Allison Fasig - Youth Minister of Small Groups Rev. Travis Garner - Pastor of Discipleship Rev. Brian Hicks - Executive Director, Harvest Hands Ministry Rev. Dietrich Kirk - Executive Director, Center for Youth Ministry Training Rev. Rachel Peavyhouse-Fay - Associate Pastor of Congregational Care Rev. Erin Racine - Coordinating Pastor of Congregation Care Rev. Mack Strange - Pastor of Trinity Church, Spring Hill Rev. Dr. Jeff Wilson - Pastor of Evangelism and Hospitality