Next week we will enter the Lenten season, a time we set apart as the Church (and a church) to seek how we need to change. Some of us will take up new habits, and others will fast from favorite indulgences. We’ll receive ashes on our foreheads to begin the season, and we’ll wave palm branches to exit. In between the dirt of Ash Wednesday and the “hosanna” of Palm/Passion Sunday is a great opportunity to be transformed with Jesus Christ as we follow him into the desert.

Some of our youngest church members have introduced me to their toys that are called “transformers.” They’ve even brought them to the children’s sermon—a good example for all off us to bring our friends to church! Of course I had heard of transformers, but truth be told I didn’t really know what they were. The young men explained how they work to me: a few flips and clicks and you have a whole new toy, different from what it had been.

My curiosity was high, so I searched for “transformers” on Wikipedia. Thousands of words and images overwhelmed my computer screen! There were so many explanations of transformers, and it sounded so complex. I realized my young friends’ explanations were the simplest and best: these were creatures that changed!

Such is the simple and powerful message of the Lenten season: God changes us if we will put ourselves in his hands. He gives us the power to change, but we have to be as pliable in his hands as those toys in our young men’s hands. This Sunday we will observe the Transfiguration of Jesus and walk into Lent with our annual Ash Wednesday service at 6PM on February 26. Come and be changed!

all good things to each of you,
Pastor (Dr.) Darian

Lectionary Texts for Transfiguration Sunday, February 23, 2020
Exodus 24:12-18
Psalm 2
2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9

My freshman dorm room measured roughly eight feet wide and twelve feet long. Take out the bed, desk, closet, and drawers, and I had exactly enough space for the other college essentials of microwave, tiny fridge, and shelves for a TV/VCR combo. The space was tight, but it was mine.

I loved that little room, my first home away from home, but most of its contents have found other homes over the years. The one faithful, enduring part of that dorm room that has stayed with me, all the way to West Point, was my small, portable space heater. I even still have the original box it came in! Winter months in that old (now demolished) residence hall were tricky for the thermostat. The heat was either too much or not enough, so I came to depend on the space heater when I sat at my desk studying to keep my feet comfortably warm. It has come in handy in every room or house where I’ve lived since then, most recently for the vanity area of my bathroom. Yes, the space heater was worn and dated and needed to be watched, but it faithfully kept me warm.

Sadly, this is the space heater’s last winter with us. The cord has begun to fray, and the time has come to part with it. As I packed it up in the original box and placed it outside, I couldn’t help but think of how the world is full of everyday faithfulness: a key that turns our cars to “on,” a shopping cart that carries our food, a lightbulb that helps us to see. The list could go on for pages.

Yet how often do we stop to say “thank you” to God for the faithful parts of our lives? And how often do we stop to say “thank you” to the people who are faithful parts of our lives?

This week, let us pay attention to one another. Let us take the time to say “thank you” to each other for the actions we overlook. Let us pause to thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who taught us how to live faithfully to him and each other. And may he find us faithful to him!

                                                                                                   all good things to each of you,
Dr. Darian
Lectionary Texts for Sunday, February 2, 2020
Micah 6:1-8
Psalm 15
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Matthew 5:1-12

It’s a Wonderful Beginning

Every Christmas Eve, I enjoy watching the last hour of the classic film, It’s a Wonderful Life. With commercials on network television, the movie lasts close to three hours, but it is in the last hour that the angel, Clarence, appears to George Bailey and walks him through a life where he was never born. As a result, George “wakes up” to what a wonderful life he has. Indeed, the movie has a wonderful ending that is usually enough for me on Christmas Eve.

However, this most recent holiday was different. While cooking dinner and winding down after a beautiful and full service, I turned on the television as It’s a Wonderful Life began. I had been watching the ending for so long that I’d forgotten the beginning. Two angels, Senior Angel and Joseph Angel, appearing to the viewer as stars in the night sky, discuss George’s case. Soon the whimsical and childlike angel, Clarence, joins them and receives his instructions that a man on earth named George Bailey needs his help. Clarence asks, “Is he sick?” Senior Angel replies, “No, worse. He’s discouraged.”

Senior Angel reminds us of something important: sometimes discouragement is one of the worst ailments we experience, worse than physical pain. The good news, friends, is that we are all capable of giving to each other the opposite of discouragement: encouragement. The Lord trusts us to give courage to each other—and to ask for it when we are down. George Bailey’s epiphany of how wonderful his life was began when people prayed for him and when he cried out himself. Let us be quick to recognize discouragement in ourselves and each other, and let us be even quicker to offer the word, ear, or shoulder needed to build each other up.

What a wonderful beginning to 2020 this will be, and what a wonderful life we will share, as we share courage with each other!

 all good things to each of you,

Pastor Darian

The great hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” includes in the chorus a powerful reminder of God’s sustenance: Morning by morning, new mercies I see. When I hear or sing these words, I remember a trip I made to a village in France during seminary. There was a local baker in town, and every morning people would travel there for fresh bread. While the bread was edible beyond one day, it was better when new each morning.

Last week, the local bakery from which we buy bread for Holy Communion was closed for a holiday break, so I offered to pick up a couple of loaves elsewhere. I bought the loaves on Friday, and how delicious they smelled. However, when I arrived on Sunday morning, those loaves were hard as rocks! We made do for the early worship service, but as soon as it was over I ran to Wal-Mart in search of fresh bread and new mercies. (And I even saw some of you there who were skipping church! Haha.)

The Bread of Life, whose sacrifice we remember and participate in at the Lord’s Table, never grows stale. He desires to feed us each and every day. Have you asked for new, fresh mercies each day? Now’s a good time to start. Let us declare how great his faithfulness is by testifying to a God whose hand has provided all we have ever needed—and all that we need for today.

                                                                                                    all good things to each of you,
Pastor Darian

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, January 12, 2020 (Baptism of the Lord)
Isaiah 42:1-9
Psalm 29
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 3:13-17

Last Friday, The United Methodist Church was in the news because of a proposal that recommends splitting the denomination. Please know that no changes have taken place in our Church’s structure. Only the General Conference of the UMC can vote on such matters, and that conference will convene in May of this year. This proposal is one of many petitions that the General Conference will consider. I will share more information with you in educational sessions and conversations closer to the time of General Conference. I will also post on the church’s Facebook page a couple of articles that will go into more detail. If you wish to make an appointment to visit with me one-on-one about this matter, know that I am available. ~ Pastor Darian

 Years ago at an art festival in southern Louisiana, I came upon a unique advent wreath. Made not from greenery but from clay, the “wreath” was a large, circular plate with four small, raised circles to cup the candles. Around the candles the potter had written in cursive four names: Messiah. Lord. Christ. Jesus. It was perfect! I had to have it.

Unfortunately, when I later tried to place candles in the indentions, none of them would stay upright. I measured the spaces, bought candles of various diameters, trying to find a set that would fit. Frustrated, I eventually resorted to using tea lights. Though the wreath didn’t look the way I’d originally envisioned it with three tall purple and one pink candles, I’ve come to love the revised version. After all, light is still light no matter the candle’s size.

This is our last newsletter of 2019, which has me thinking a lot about a new year, not only because of the Advent season but also as January 2020 nears. One year ago, what did you envision for yourself in 2019? Did you have goals as specific as three purple and one pink candle? Most likely, we’ve all had to revise and improvise our goals and plans at some point. The end results looking differently than what we expected does not make them any less beautiful.

The seasons of Advent and Christmas remind us of a great yet simple responsibility as followers of the Christ child: we are called to shine the light. Like the Advent wreath, sometimes we have to experiment with different ways to shine that light, but the heat and power of the flame does not belong to us. The holy Light does not adjust to our liking. Instead, we must make adjustments in our lives as the Light transforms us. Yes, we set goals and visions for ourselves as well as our church, but we must remain open to how the Spirit tweaks those plans for His glory.

I look forward to the visions and re-visions that God has in store for us in the new year. Know how grateful I am for each of you. It is an honor to serve as you pastor.

                                                                                                    all good things to each of you,
Pastor (Dr.) Darian

(a longer version of this reflection is at www.darianduckworth.com/musings)

This upcoming Sunday, December 15, at 11AM is our church’s annual Christmas concert. One of my favorite pieces that we’re working on is an arrangement of “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.” Have you ever noticed how central angels are to the beloved carol? In this holy season, angels’ voices are in a celestial spotlight that grows dim the rest of the year.

Angels are not dainty figurines. They are powerful, celestial beings. They are not decorations but created for decking out evil forces. When they show up in droves in a midnight field of Bethlehem, the initial reaction was not to rejoice but to run! One of the many miracles of Christ’s coming is that the most powerful creatures pause to sing. The terrifying stomp of warrior feet become a heavenly dance among the stars. The presence of God Almighty elicits these mighty beings to worship and serve around his holy throne—even when that throne becomes a manger.

At this Sunday’s concert, we will have an opportunity to “send back the song which now the angels sing” by giving not only to our regular, weekly offering, but also to a special offering for the Sally Kate Winters Home. As the choir sings “Away In a Manger” towards the end of the concert, you may bring your donations forward and leave in baskets on the altar, as is our practice on Communion Sundays.

I look forward to joining the angels’ song with you this Sunday. Remember that we will not have early worship so that we might join in ONE song as ONE church worshiping ONE Lord.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                all good things to each of you,
Pastor Darian

Lectionary Texts for December 15, 2019
Isaiah 35:1-10
Luke 1:47-55
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11

In the movie, Remember the Titans, Coach Boone said something about his linebacker, Gerry Bertier, after he got hurt in a car wreck and could not play for the team anymore.

“You cannot replace a Gerry Bertier”

Well, we at First UMC cannot replace a Hubert Caston as he prepares for retirement. Since 2012, he has served faithfully on the church staff in the role of building superintendent, and he has been a church member for far longer. He has gone about his duties with a great attitude. He has believed he could fix most anything— and he could! How often have we heard him say, “Don’t pay someone to do that. I can do it myself.”

It is time for Hubert to sit back and relax (if he can) and let the church serve him as he has served the church. If you would like to make a donation toward a love offering of thanks for him, please get your check to Julie and note that it is for Hubert.

Just know, Mr. Hubert, when we can’t find something or when we don’t know exactly how something works, we will be calling with questions. We love you and support you, and we also look forward to continuing to serve alongside you here at First UMC.

We are currently looking for our next Building Superintendent.  The Building Superintendent is an important link between the Trustees, church staff, and the custodian.  The Building Superintendent is responsible for the physical plant, operation and maintenance of all church facilities including all buildings, grounds, and Bryan Youth Center. If you are interested or know someone that might be, please contact Chris Jester at 662.295.2943.

Rev. Dr. Darian Duckworth                                                                 Mr. Freddie Brister
Pastor                                                                                                       Chair, Board of Trustees

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, December 8, 2019
Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12

Worship Series for Advent: Wearing Our Christmas Best

One of my favorite television shows is The Office, which follows the daily happenings, and many non-happenings, of a fictional paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Though the series officially ended in 2013, its memorable characters live on in reruns, and the actors continue to make us laugh in other roles. I especially enjoy following the work of Mindy Kaling, who not only starred in The Office but also wrote many of the episodes. She’s written a couple of funny memoirs as well as continuing to act and write a well-received film. One of my favorite places to see Kaling’s work is on Twitter because she has the ability to elicit laughs with very few words. Last year on Thanksgiving Day, she tweeted:

Everybody pick out their outfit to wear to the dining room?

I laughed out loud because it was so true. So often we spend Thanksgiving Day in one building with friends and family, and we only move room to room. Yet we still want to wear our best, right? Even if we don’t really “go” anywhere, we want to dress nicely given the specialness of the day.

Next Sunday we will enter the specialness of the Advent season, a season of preparing ourselves for the Christ child’s coming. As we get ready for a holiday by wearing our best, God calls us to wear our best characteristics as his children: to cloak ourselves in humility, to clothe ourselves in righteousness, to dress in love. Advent is a season where we can fine tune our spiritual wardrobe in worship together, and I look forward to this series with
you!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              all good things,
Pastor Darian
Lectionary Texts for Sunday, December 1, 2019
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:36-44

(a longer version of this reflection is on my website, www.darianduckworth.com/musings)

Two months after moving to West Point, I began the Doctor of Ministry program at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology with a desire to study hospice care. With God’s help and your support, I was able to develop, run, and analyze a research project.  On November 7, I had the privilege of carrying three years of work, compiled into 136 pages, into a conference room in Atlanta for the oral defense.

It was not an easy walk into the room, not because I was nervous, but because I’d had the “brilliant” idea to wear two-inch high heels. In my defense, no pun intended, I thought the heels were one-inch when I bought them! Thankfully we sat down for the majority of the time together. Truth be told, I did feel two inches higher when our time together ended in approval, and not because of the shoes.

As we wrapped up, one committee member had asked me, “What have you learned about yourself?”

I responded, “I am more in love with the church.”

Receiving a degree does not necessarily or solely move us up a hierarchy. It can also move us into a deeper understanding of where we presently are. Everything I’ve studied and experienced has caused me to love God’s Church, and especially this congregation, more. The tools of academia have tuned my heart to sing God’s praise in the community of faith I’m leading right here and right now.

Though the degree I’ve obtained may say “Doctor of Ministry,” I prefer to identify as a Doctor of the heart—which is the church. And for as long as you and the Lord see fit, First UMC of West Point is the heart to which this doctor wants to tend. Know how grateful I am for you!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          all good things to each of you,
Pastor (Dr.) Darian