DEVOTION GUIDE

Mount Olivet United Methodist Church・1500 N. Glebe Road・Arlington VA 22207

703.527.3934・mountolivetumc.com

INTRODUCTION

So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith. Galatians 6:10

Back in 1988, my husband and I were newly engaged and seeking a church in which to get married. My priority then was to find a church that had a pretty sanctuary and good music. Mount Olivet fit the bill, so we joined and were married there nearly 27 years ago this month.

While we still appreciate the soaring sanctuary and music, Mount Olivet has offered us so much more than we ever expected. It has become a second home, filled with a dearly beloved family, with whom we have worshipped, learned, served, feasted, laughed and cried.

Today, when I come to church, I see many new faces. Many of the devotions in this book are written by people who were not members (or even born!) when I joined the church. That’s good news for Mount Olivet, because it shows we are continuing to grow and thrive.

While growth is exciting, it is also challenging. In order to continue the good work that Mount Olivet is doing in the community and the world, we need to improve and preserve the physical plant that makes it all possible. During this time, as we reflect upon our commitment to the capital campaign, “Now is the Time,” I hope you’ll spend some time each day reading the inspiring and heartfelt stories in this devotional booklet. The writers are of different ages and stages in faith and life. They come from different places and have different interests and priorities, but they all have something in common. Their lives of faith have been molded and shaped by God and their relationships at Mount Olivet UMC. I think you will see your own story reflected in theirs. I know I did.

Thank you to all the devotion writers and also to Shirley Beck, David Early and Sarah Meek, who helped to solicit and collect the devotions, and Jim Coates, who took many of the photos. This booklet, like our faith journey, is a team effort.

Cheryl Moore Devotion Guide Chair

LORD, What do you want to do through me

to fulfill your will for MOUMC?

APRIL 13, 2015 - Kathie Bailey

I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord. Psalm 122:1

When I moved to Arlington as a 20-something in 1984, I was looking for a Methodist church with two characteristics: a young singles program, and a good music program. I discovered both at Mount Olivet, and I stayed.

When I had children, I realized the importance of keeping the spiritual, mental, social and physical portions of my life as balanced as possible. Again, many of my needs were met at Mount Olivet.

In the last decade, my focus has shifted again. I am now much more interested in helping others. What can I do? How can I help? Again, Mount Olivet has offered opportunities and shown me a way.

Mount Olivet has been my second home for over 30 years. I value the spiritual growth it has provided, the friendships I have made, and the opportunities to serve others. Now Mount Olivet is telling us that there is another way to help – through contributing to the capital campaign.

The church, like our home, needs upkeep and maintenance. My own home has resembled a cash register the last few months. First, the microwave died. Its light came on, and it made all the right noises, but nothing would heat. Time for a new microwave. Second, a mouse died in a water pipe. How a mouse even gets into a water pipe, I don’t know, but removing it cost $225. The mouse should have been gold-plated for that. Finally, during the ice storms, an outside pipe burst. That will require repairs in the spring. Ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching.

Our physical church home is like our family home. Upkeep and repairs are periodically necessary. We need to give the same priority to our church as we do to our family home.

PRAYER: Dear Father, Thank you for the resources that you provide us. We are grateful both for our own homes and our church home. Give us the wisdom to see the upkeep both need, and the willingness to personally contribute out of your blessings. Amen.

APRIL 14, 2015 - Dotty Dake

Read 1 Corinthians 12

Mount Olivet’s members and staff have been and continue to be instrumental in supporting me in my ongoing faith journey. Mount Olivet is my chosen church family. For all the people and experiences I have had in this nurturing body of Christ, I am constantly grateful. As I have the opportunity to reflect on this snowy day during Lent, I realize that God’s presence in this particular body

of Christ known as Mount Olivet has transformed my life.

As part of this church family for 40 years, I have seen how God has blessed us through the people who have responded to God’s call to be part of Mount Olivet. God has given us many gifts to function as this body of Christ. I have benefited greatly from the service and leadership of others. I have had the privilege of serving in and leading a variety of ministries and received support, guidance, and models of Christian living from church members when I’ve stepped out in faith beyond my zone of comfort.

Participation in three small groups has been particularly influential. In a covenant discipleship group, I developed the spiritual disciplines of daily scripture reading and prayer. In an early morning intercessory prayer group, I sensed God’s love and presence with us in the joys and struggles of life. Being a member of Faith and Fellowship adult Sunday school class for many years continues to be a spiritually enhancing experience in living in Christian community as we engage in study, care for one another, and service. I have learned that being part of a small group is vital for my ongoing faith development.

During these 40 years, I have seen and experienced a great deal of change at Mount Olivet. Being convinced of God’s steadfast grace, presence, and love have enabled me to welcome change. It will be exciting to see where God is calling us as this body of Christ in 2015.

PRAYER: Gracious and loving God, help us follow you in faith and with gratitude. Amen.

APRIL 15, 2015 - Brian Butler

Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’ And he laid his hands on them and went on his way. Matthew 19:13-15 It’s stuck with me since I was a kid that with just a few short words,

Jesus makes it perfectly clear that children belonged with and around him. For me, this meant that I always had a place at church. A place where I would be welcome and could find peace, acceptance, and love. I grew up in the Lutheran church and I was always involved because my parents were active members. Sunday school and children’s choir are the vivid memories from when I was in elementary school. As I got older, it transitioned to confirmation classes and youth group events like ski trips, lock-ins, and Habitat for Humanity. Though I don’t remember many of them specifically, going to service was a constant and I fell in love with the ritual that came with each Sunday morning. What hooked me in the most was the music with certain hymns carrying the power to transport me back to the sanctuary where I first learned them.

Comfort. That’s what church has always brought to my life. It’s a wonder why I didn’t find a new church home when I moved to Arlington after college, but that’s the story with so many of us when we’re in our twenties. What brought me back to church and specifically to Mount Olivet was when our oldest daughter was born. There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to give her the opportunity to discover that same comfort. Seven years later and two more daughters, I can safely say that our entire family has found a true church home at Mount Olivet, which only brings more comfort to my life.

PRAYER: Thank you, Jesus, for creating your church where all of us are welcome to discover and share your love. Thank you specifically for Mount Olivet and the wonderful community that gathers within its walls throughout each week. Help us to continue to seek and find the comfort that you bring to your people. Amen.

DON’T MISS OUR KICK-OFF BANQUET TONIGHT! DINNER IS AT 5:45 AND PROGRAM BEGINS AT 6:30

APRIL 16, 2015 - Amanda Lynn Holmes

And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something— now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have. I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and

their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. As it is written, “The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little.” 2 Corinthians 8:10-15 When I first came to Mount Olivet, I didn’t have a lot of money and I wasn’t financially stable. Having moved to DC to take a paid internship, I was living month to month, not always sure how I was going to make it. The people of Mount Olivet made me feel welcome as part of the family and always made sure I was well-fed! I knew I wanted to contribute to the life of the church, but wasn’t able to tithe or even contribute very much to the offering. But I had time – which meant I could give of my prayers, presence, and service. I started working with the youth group as a youth counselor, going on a mission trip to Haiti, and getting more involved as an active participant in worship through serving as a liturgist and communion server.

Although I didn’t have much to give – I could still give something and I had the absolute desire to give back and honor the church that had given me so much when I had so little. The most exciting day as a member of Mount Olivet came when I could finally make a monthly financial contribution. I know I’m certainly not the biggest contributor, but I know that we can all do something to make a positive contribution to the life of the church. Take a moment to think about how you can ensure that no one has too little. If not us, then who? If not now, then when? It’s time for us to do something.

PRAYER: God, help me to want to be the one who stands up and says,“I’m gonna do something. Amen.

LORD, What do you want to do through me

to fulfill your will for MOUMC?

APRIL 17, 2015 - Rev. Gary Hulme

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who maintains covenant loyalty with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations. Deuteronomy 7:9

It hasn’t been a thousand generations, but there have been four generations of the Hulme family who have been greatly influenced by being members at Mount Olivet. I belong to the third generation hearing, receiving and living the Good News of God’s steadfast love to all creation.

I grew up at Mount Olivet: Sunday school, VBS, Youth Choir, UMYF, mission trips, a youth representative on numerous committees, Annual Conference Delegate. In 1978, Chris and I were married here. Mount Olivet was foundational in my call to become an ordained minister.

About 40 years ago I was a youth member of a committee called “Operation Catch-Up” (at least I recall that was the name). Shortly after Dr. C.P. Minnick arrived as senior minister, a thorough assessment of the building and maintenance needs was conducted by the Board of Trustees. As a result of that needs assessment, a capital financial campaign was held. I remember at age 17 pledging (and giving) $20 to the Church each Sunday. We were asked to make a one-year pledge above and beyond our weekly giving. I felt as a member of the Operation Catch-Up committee that, even as a teenager, I should make a leadership gift. I was led by so many examples of others who taught the meaning of sacrificial giving that I made an additional pledge of $20 per week. The clergy (C.P., Frank Gillis, Glen Langston and Dick Keller) and lay adults (in addition to mom and dad, Mrs. Wright, Jose Bove, Dr. Arberg, Jack Sands, Judge Irene Scott, the Herrmanns, Don Croson, Mrs. Malhoyt, the Holloways, Dan Boden, the Cernys, and many others) in my life set examples of love, commitment, and responding to God’s call through Mount Olivet UMC.

Some years later, although I was not at the meeting, I heard there was a discussion on stewardship at which my dad, Hank Hulme, said to another church member, (I paraphrase): “The Church does not need your money. It is your need to give to the Church that matters.” God’s love will not be thwarted by anything. May it be so for generations to come.

PRAYER: O God who is faithful in loving us for a thousand generations; may we live in the light of your love and respond in loving kindness to others. Amen.

APRIL 18, 2015 - Amber and Andrew Porter

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6.

Shortly after moving to Arlington and getting married, we started looking for our new church

home. We became members of Mount Olivet in 2008 as a way to invest in not only our own spiritual growth, but also for our future family. One of the things that made us decide to join was seeing so many young families who looked completely at home in the church, not just sitting in pews but being a part of a vibrant community, just as we hoped to someday be.

One of the challenges we anticipated was finding our place, finding a way to connect. But that is the wonderful thing about Mount Olivet – there is a place for everyone, a way to get involved and be included. The opportunities at the church, and the people who make them happen have made it easier for us to make Mount Olivet our own. The long list of ministries at Mount Olivet has continued to inspire us. Programs that benefit and serve our members, as well as the greater community, and all powered by spirited volunteers with gifts and talents they graciously share in the name of serving God.

As our family has grown, so has our involvement with Mount Olivet – including the wonderful preschool – and we find ourselves pulling into the parking lot six or seven times a week. Our family has been so blessed to find our little niche, and along with the rest of the Mount Olivet community, we are excited to continue to work with one big goal in mind – to faithfully serve the Lord.

PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for bringing us together to as a church to demonstrate our faith in action through service great and small. Help us to continue to find new ways to glorify you through our Mount Olivet community. Amen.

LORD, What do you want to do through me

to fulfill your will for MOUMC?

APRIL 19, 2015 - Jim Dake

… let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another … Hebrews 10:24-25

My life is different in a number of big ways because of my experiences at Mount Olivet, but in this brief statement I will point to a small, but significant, way my life changed because of our church community.

Some years ago a number of us in the congregation came together to form what are called “covenant discipleship groups.” These groups of six to eight people would meet once a week to hold one another accountable to the terms of our mutual “covenant.” The covenants of the various groups typically included the noble goals of regular prayer, reading scripture, and worship. Sometimes individual members of a group would agree to a more specific practice to work on.

As it turned out, another member of the group and I had the same problem. Jack and I had morning commutes that most days brought us to our workplaces in a bad mood. Jack and I wondered if we could somehow control our anger and arrive at our work in a happier and more productive state of mind.

So, Jack and I made a covenant agreement to eliminate the anger in our morning commutes. Each week as we and others in the group met to account for our actions, Jack and I would report on our commutes. Some weeks we would do well, and some weeks we would experience something that brought out our anger. I hope you can imagine the great sense of humor with which Jack and I were able to describe the behaviors of other drivers that managed, despite our best efforts, to elicit our anger.

It seemed almost magic that as the weeks and months went along, Jack and I were encountering fewer and fewer truly outrageous drivers. I don’t think the other drivers were changing, but I know that Jack and I had changed. Instead of arriving at work angry and frustrated, we were arriving relaxed, refreshed, and ready for the day ahead.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to love other drivers. Amen.

APRIL 20, 2015 - Jennifer Myers

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3

My faith came first by chance, then by choice. As a “PK” (Preacher’s Kid), my faith developed as the child of a United Methodist minister. When I became a teenager, my dad left the pastorate to serve the church in other ways. We promptly joined a large United Methodist church with an active youth program, where my faith blossomed and deepened through

numerous mission trips, retreats, and activities.

The familiar scripture selection above was the basis of my first youth choir song, which we sang at the funeral of a fellow youth group member who was hit by a drunk driver walking home one tragic Sunday evening. Every time I hear that common verse, I remember his untimely death and my many blessings.

After college, my time and energy focused on developing myself professionally and personally. I never wavered in my faith, but I did not make time for church in my weekly schedule. My sister and I often joked that we attended enough potluck dinners to last a lifetime. I was fortunate to marry a fellow United Methodist, who shares a similar church experience, and three years later my dad baptized our son in the same church where we were married. It was important for us to raise our son in the faith, so we searched for a church in the local area for several years before we found our place at Mount Olivet. While we feel late to the game, I am glad that Jacob helped us choose the best fit for our family. I discovered that church is not only providing my son with the guidance and support that he needs, but also the opportunity to grow spiritually myself. Despite my early experience, I have a lot of work to do.

PRAYER: Thank you, God, for the environment that Mount Olivet provides, where our faith can continue to grow in ways we never imagined. Amen.

LORD, What do you want to do through me

to fulfill your will for MOUMC?

APRIL 21, 2015 - Michaela Nelson

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in a way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

The very first time I went to Mount Olivet’s Youth Group, I did not want to go. However, my Dad insisted my sister and I attend Youth Group so we went. My Dad hoped that by connecting his daughters with a Christian community we would find a support

group in Mount Olivet’s youth and counselors, because our Mom was at beginning of her six-month deployment in Iraq.

While I did not like to admit it at the time, my Dad’s push to get us involved with youth group was one of the best things that has happened in my life. Not only were my sister and I able to find the support we needed while my Mom was gone, but we also found an amazing group of people who would become lifelong friends and mentors, as well as unique experiences such as the Youth Mission Plays.

Youth Group, the Mission Plays, and other Mount Olivet favorites all occur in the Fellowship Hall. In this space, we have laughed, cried, sung songs, danced, and have eaten good food. In this space, I came to learn what it meant to be a disciple of Christ and began to explore who it was I wanted to be as a person. In this space, we can continue to create a community of love, which inspires everyone, of all ages, to live their faith.

PRAYER: Lord, we ask for your guiding hand as we seek to create a space of fellowship. Help us to be examples of your love. Amen.

What is Now is the Time?

Now is the Time is our capital campaign to repair and renovate our church so that our

worship services and our mission and ministry might have an even greater impact. A

more detailed summary is available at mountolivetumc.com. A few of the

improvements planned include repairing and updating our pipe organ, repairing several

large deferred maintenance items, and renovating our Fellowship Hall.

APRIL 22, 2015 - Ryan Eppehimer

And not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope; and hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5

In 2005, I was four years out of college and thought I had life figured out. Then I went through some significant life changes

that made me question the things I had valued and forced me to confront some uncomfortable realizations about who I really was. Ultimately, this put me in a downward spiral of depression that was difficult to get out of. During this period when everything that I had thought was important was turned upside down, I looked towards God in hopes of getting answers. It was probably even simpler than that: I was just desperate for some relief. Taking this initiative was new for me because although I grew up always going to church and learning about Jesus, it was never something I personally embraced.

During this difficult time, I started reading the Bible and came across these verses. These words were incredibly comforting, as they gave me a ray of hope that there was maybe some way I would benefit from this experience. It also allowed me a different perspective through which to view my current situation. God thought of this exact situation and explained that it was something to be thankful for because ultimately, I could endure it and it would build me up as a person.

Of course, simply learning this truth didn’t cause an immediate change in my circumstances. Over the next few months, there were some okay times and some very bad ones. And the bad ones were scary. Sometimes it took all my strength to make it through the day and be able to face another one. During these times, those verses and my family were the things I held onto in order to continue pushing forward. I really did believe if I could simply keep going, there would be good from all of it. I did keep going and over time, I got better. And those verses have proven to be incredibly true. The experience has benefited me as a person – to be a better Christian, husband, father, family member and friend. I look back on those times with a sense of thankfulness as it provided me a different perspective which now allows me to have compassion and understanding towards people in ways that I otherwise would not have had.

PRAYER: Although parts of our lives can hurt and be incredibly painful, thank you God for promising that there is also good to come out of these experiences. Help us to stay encouraged during these times and provide others around us for support that will allow us the opportunity to see the possibility of new beginnings. Amen.

APRIL 23, 2015 - Kelly Overman

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will. Romans 12:2

Some days start hard. To be clear, I mean "first world" hard – everybody is safe, fed, and healthy (not that I am generally thankful enough for these essentials that God provides).

But still they are hard.

You and your spouse, who you love dearly, are out of sync. The kids are fighting with each other and are pressing your buttons. You're already late. The work you have planned for the day seems overwhelming or unfulfilling. You are wondering how you are going to make it through, only then to rush off, collect your kids, and then head off to whatever evening activities are loaded into your iCal. Do you ever stop and ask: WHAT AM I DOING? TO WHAT END? I do.

On these days, I need to press a restart button. (Sometimes multiple times). If I have the personal wherewithal to go to it, my personal restart button is Romans 12. It is 21 verses, and for me it is the equivalent of a deep breath. It reminds me to be thankful, to humble myself and live my day with faith. It reminds me to live out my gifts the best I can, because that is enough. It reminds me to enjoy the world God has created for us, to love one another. It reminds me to operate from a place of harmony and light. It reminds me to be patient and listen for God's voice.

Of course, I never get it all the way right. Who can? Romans 12 is pretty demanding for us in our humanness. But it helps me get my head – and heart – on straight.

Do you have a restart button? A prayer? A verse? Making time on Sunday mornings to sit yourself in a pew? Whatever your personal restart button is – press it – and let yourself be transformed. Listen to how God is directing you. Get your heart on straight – for yourself, for your family, and for the others you encounter in your day.

PRAYER: Dear God, Take away my harried ways, my melancholy with the mundane. Refresh my soul so that I see the beauty around me. Remind me that this is a day to live out my gifts. Open my ears to listen as you speak so I might align myself with your will. Lighten my heavy heart so that I may respond and offer love to those around me, as Jesus offered his love to us. Amen.

APRIL 24, 2015 - Elizabeth Anderson Bowen

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7

In this age of technology it is still the telephone that is the way I connect with my family in Liberia. I made a commitment to call my family in Liberia, West Africa early in the morning every day since my return to the United States in late August. I wanted to be faithful in checking on them due to the Ebola outbreak. During this time, I

have been praying and asking God to bring relief to the people in West Africa that have been affected by this deadly virus. It was early Monday morning, (4:00 am) January 19th when the phone rang. I was startled and wondered who could be calling me at this hour. I answered the phone, and on the other line was Ms. P, the lady who was taking care of my mother. She said, "Aunty Hardtime, (the name all my family members call me) I want to tell you something.” I asked, “Is it good news or bad news?” She was quiet for a while then she said, "My brother wants me to go take care of his home while he travels to the United States. I want to thank you very much for what you have done for me and my daughter during our stay here with your mother, Mother Dear. (You see, this is the name that everyone calls my mother – Mother Dear). I will be leaving on Wednesday, but I will call you back for us to talk.”

The rest of my day I spent crying and praying and asking God for guidance. So many things came to my mind. Among them was to go back home to take care of my mother. I had prayed to God during the Ebola crisis, and God answered my prayers and saved my mother and family from the Ebola crisis. The compound where she lives was under God’s wings, and just after my fears had left, Ms. P decides to call and give me this disturbing message. What can I do, who can I call? That evening, my devotion led me to this passage in II Timothy 1:7. After my devotion I decided to call a friend who I believe has a "sound mind." In Liberia, we call a person like this a "Zoe". A “Zoe” is one who has a knowledgeable mind, one who counsels and leads you in the right direction. I told her my story. I told her that my mother never worked out of the home. All her life she devoted her time and energy to her family. Now it was time to take care of her and show her some appreciation, and I could not be there. My friend helped me to look at the situation in a different way. Each time I reflect on my mother's situation of being alone and taking care of herself, a still voice continues to say to me "God has not given you a spirit of fear. Trust in God's holy word and know that God loves your mother. God will always be with your mother and the rest of the family. God will surround your mother with loving people to take care of her.”

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, your word is true. Remove our fears and give us a sound mind so that we can go forward in your power to build your kingdom here on earth. Amen

APRIL 25, 2015 - Maddy Holladay

I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart. I have overcome the world. John 16:33

I have attended Mount Olivet all my life and, as a child, had a very strong faith. As I got older, I began to question my faith. I would make my faith seem better than it was. In Sunday school, I would answer biblical questions with answers I felt my teachers wanted

instead of answers I truly believed in. I wasn’t connected to God even though I acted like I was.

In ninth grade, I went on a Youth Retreat called “Planet Wisdom.” During that retreat, I felt closer to God than I had in a while. When the retreat ended, we were asked to come forward if we had decided to give Jesus our everything and start a new faith in Him. I didn’t go forward but instead stayed in my seat and prayed. At other mission camps, I’d publicly promised I’d turn my faith around, but I never did. It wasn’t easy to refrain from going forward but it was the first step towards me caring about what God thought about my faith instead of what others thought.

After I got home, I started spending more time alone with God. I began writing in a notebook bible verses, reflections, questions for God, how I defined my relationship with God, and prayers (I recommend this). When it was just God and me, it didn’t matter what other people thought. I realized that God is my parent, my sibling, and my friend. God knows my thoughts and feelings, so I need to be real with God. I’m not going to pretend my faith is perfect now. I still sometimes catch myself pretending that it’s “A okay” when it’s not. However, by having a church that is active in events such as retreats, I was able to change the way I viewed my faith and my relationship with God.

PRAYER: Dear God, Help me to be honest in my faith. Amen

LORD, What do you want to do through me

to fulfill your will for MOUMC?

APRIL 26, 2015 - Jane Hanson

What good is it, my brothers and sister, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. James 2:14-17

A question I often put to the students I teach is, ‘How do you learn best?’ Is it through reading and watching, through verbal interaction and listening, by doing and touching? Traditionally, these are the three modes of learning. The truth is we learn through all three modes, yet one is likely to be preferable over the others. For me, throughout all levels of school and still today, I learn best through listening and discussion and by doing. In college, I didn’t mind the lecture classes and taking the notes from the chalk board. The kinesthetic reinforcement of the verbal lecture worked for me. I learn by listening, talking, and doing.

So it is with questions of faith. Ten years ago, I joined 14 youth and four adults of Mount Olivet on the first trip to work with Habitat for Humanity in Central America. Two years later I traveled with another group to Honduras, and after that I have lead five trips to El Salvador, both youth and adult groups, to work with Habitat for Humanity and construct a house. Often times we enter the place of our mission with the notion that we have come to build and create something better for someone less fortunate that we. But, in truth, the mission work is TO us. We grow in faith and our faith is tested through our work. On every single trip I have been on, I have seen the transformation in all of us, including myself, as we return to Arlington a different person. Our faith is deepened and changed, and we are different because of it.

We, as United Methodists and as Christians, love to do God’s work in the world. We want to be the hands and feet of Jesus. James, along with Christians throughout the ages, have been struggling with the balance between works and faith. Our faith is strengthened by our work with others. And the work is not only what we DO for others, but what is done to us.

PRAYER: Loving God, as we are compelled to do for others, let us also be reminded why we are doing what we do. Help us to learn about our neighbors and to better understand our faith in our doing. Amen.

Tools for Discernment:

How Do I Decide What to Give?

Our Now is the Time campaign is an exciting opportunity to take a step in faith and trust God as perhaps never before. It will challenge our priorities, our values, our commitment, and our trust in God’s bigger plan for us. How can we give in a way that helps us to grow in our faith?

Prayerfully ask these questions and see if God doesn’t impress on your mind an amount to give. The amount will almost always be larger than the first number that popped into your mind, since it will be a step of faith. Lord, what do you want to do through me to fulfill your will for MOUMC?

1. Is my gift based on what I think I can afford, OR is it what God wants to give through me? “Remember this: whosoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, but whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Corinthians 9:6

2. Does this amount stretch my faith? “God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more, so that there will not only be enough for your own needs, but also plenty left over to give joyfully to others.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

3. Does my gift show that I value an eternal reward more than material things? “Use your money to do good…By doing this you will be storing up real treasure for yourself in heaven—it is the only safe investment for eternity! And you’ll live a fruitful Christian life down here as well.” 1 Timothy 6:19

4. Does my gift demonstrate how much I love God? “Be a leader in the spirit of cheerful giving…this is one way to prove that your love is real, that it goes beyond mere words.” 2 Corinthians 8:8

5. Does this amount represent a genuine sacrifice? “I will not sacrifice to my God an offering that costs me nothing.” 2 Samuel 24:24

6. Does it express my gratefulness for how God has blessed my life and family? “With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O Lord.” Psalm 54:6

PRAYER: Loving God, I want to give an amount that shows how grateful I am for the many ways that you have blessed me. Help me to grow in faith by trusting you with my needs. Please impress on my heart the amount that you desire to give through me and show me how I can give sacrificially to you. Amen.

APRIL 27, 2015 - Keith Nelson

Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:13-15

On the morning of September 11, 2001, my father went into surgery in Dallas, Texas, for a hernia operation. When he came out from under the anesthesia, he didn’t feel quite himself. Over the months and years to follow, he saw countless doctors to try to pinpoint the

reasons for his slurred speech, loss of balance and drooping eyelids. Most doctors assumed he had Parkinson’s, and told us about a high-impact, limited-term drug that would stall the symptoms – until it didn’t. That led to a re-diagnosis, which ultimately landed on Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, which is like Parkinsons on steroids – a long, slow decline with no cure. During this time, I moved from California to Washington, D.C., then Arlington, started a family, joined Mount Olivet, and focused on building my career.

Getting reports from Dallas about my Dad’s health left me feeling depressed and detached. It was easier for me to keep my concentration on my immediate environment. Then I had a conversation with a friend who said, “Go now and see him as much as you can. Visit while you can both enjoy it.” I heard the message, and I started to visit my Dad. I looked for any excuse to fly into Dallas for the weekend – my mom needed a computer upgrade. My high school was having a reunion. A new children’s museum was opening downtown (bring the granddaughter!). My wife was a great supporter of these trips, so I kept booking more of them. And over the course of those visits, my heart filled up with the love and connection that I was missing from those earlier phone calls. I was reminded of my father’s strength, faith and courage. For times when I didn’t visit, I mailed him voice-recorded CD’s of father-son stories I remembered from my childhood. I stopped dreading the phone calls about my Dad’s declining health; they were still sad, of course, but no longer left me feeling hollow. And when the call came to make the final trip to see my Dad, my visit was already booked.

PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for angels. Thank you for giving us calm, still moments to discern the important messages from the clutter of everyday living. Amen

LORD, What do you want to do through me

to fulfill your will for MOUMC?

APRIL 28, 2015 - Bonnie Fowler

Jesus said, “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

Throughout the years of my adulthood, the words of Jesus, “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age,” have been a support for me. I was reminded of these words, in particular about three and one-half years ago, when I became an active member of Mount Olivet. This was a transition period of my

life when I retired from Arlington Public Schools after 30 years of working to promote independent living skills in adolescents with significant cognitive disabilities. I felt that God was with me during those years when my life was focused intensively on supporting persons with multiple and significant disabilities who were left out of the mainstream of society.

In the past three and one-half years, Mount Olivet has been an extremely meaningful and necessary part of my life. It has been a source of important relationships and activities. I joined the Outreach Committee, giving me the opportunity to help others who were needy. I was able to continue the emphasis on helping others left out of the mainstream of society – and help those who were trying to live without adequate resources of food, clothing, and housing. I know it was not just by chance that I had the opportunity, for example, to help coordinate Christmas for Others, to coordinate monthly preparation of A-SPAN bag lunches, and, for example, to put together Easter baskets for children who were homeless at Sullivan House. It was the work of Mount Olivet, supported by God and the Holy Spirit, that made these types of things happen – and Mount Olivet supports many initiatives to help others.

Right now I am entering a new phase of my life, which is deepening my faith in God and increasing my need and appreciation for Mount Olivet. I am getting older, and my health is rapidly deteriorating, with chronic pain and fatigue. Relationships and support of each other are becoming so much more important to me. Regardless of my ability, Mount Olivet has ways for me to support church initiatives and missions. I have a new faith that God and Mount Olivet will be there for me. I feel the support of God. Jesus said, “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your love for each one of us. Thank you for the support we receive from Mount Olivet. Help us each to do what we can to support Mount Olivet’s “Now is the Time” campaign so that we can maintain our church and our church’s ability to do your work. Amen.

APRIL 29, 2015 - Sara Scarlett

What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And then when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders rejoicing. . . I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:4-7

I have a tendency to lose things. Most of the items I lose are found within a short period of time (e.g., phone, keys). Of course, when I realize such items are lost, I proclaim, out of frustration and after not much searching, that they are gone forever. My sister usually asks the following in such moments: Is it “lost” (meaning, really gone), or “Sara lost” (meaning, found after some searching)? Thus, when I read the parable of the lost sheep, I understand completely the feeling in the pit of the shepherd’s stomach when he leaves in search of the one lost sheep. I also identify with the lost sheep. There have been moments in my life when I have felt separated from God and those that I love. During those times, I have felt the direction and support of The Great Shepherd in the church. This direction and support have come in various ways. Sometimes, it has been through a sermon or a hymn that spoke directly to my heart, while other times it has been through an activity that enabled me to serve others. I give thanks for Mount Olivet UMC and for the opportunity to be a part of a community that searches for lost sheep and rejoices in their return.

PRAYER: Lord, forgive us when we lose our way and struggle on our own. Thank you for Mount Olivet UMC and for the many ways that it leads us to you and strengthens our connection to your kingdom. Help us to remember that, as your children, we are never lost. Amen.

LORD, What do you want to do through me

to fulfill your will for MOUMC?

APRIL 30, 2015 - Laura McLellan

Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it. Mark 10:14b-15

The story of Jesus and the children is one of the earliest Sunday School lessons I can recall. It stuck with me because when I heard the story, I knew that Jesus was talking about me. It was the first

time I had seen myself in the Bible.

I was elated, not only because God was saying I was doing the right thing, but also because, in my mind, He was saying I was better at it than the adults. For once, I was better at something than my parents, my teacher, and even the pastor. Nothing else in the Bible could top this.

It only took me one or two more birthdays to realize that I wasn’t going to be a kid forever. Where other children were excited to graduate from the preschool hallway and into the third floor Sunday School classrooms, I saw it as a sign of age, and therefore distance from God.

As I made my way through elementary, middle, and High School Sunday School, I matured a great deal, just as I feared I’d do. But in so doing, I discovered that Jesus wasn’t saying that the Kingdom of God was reserved for kids, or even people who act like kids. The Kingdom of God, as it turns out, is for people who are willing to listen to God with attentiveness and devotion, and do their Father’s will, much the way a child does.

It was a great relief for me to realize I wasn’t losing my holiness every time I reached a milestone in my life; but it was a bit of a reality check. It was like realizing you’re at the bottom of a mountain you thought you had already climbed. Apparently, I now had to actually work to have a relationship with God. It was my first-ever epiphany.

Since then, I’ve begun a faith journey that, although it is years old, is only beginning. I am after all still a kid, albeit an old kid. But I am setting aside age, because I know it doesn’t matter. After all, no matter what their age, everyone is a child of God.

PRAYER: Dear God, Thank you for the eternal Father’s love you have for us. Help us to hear your voice and do your will always. Amen.

MAY 1, 2015 - Jessye Ritter

I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me. Matthew 25:40 There are so many possibilities for helping others through programs at Mount Olivet. Our Community Assistance program offers endless ways to help others, and this is where I have been most inspired to help in the last few years. When our friends come for help, we give them a sit down meal, extra food, sometimes a metro ticket,

clothing, and an invitation to join us for church services.

Another area that is equally important to me is the home visitation. Some of our members are unable to come to church. Occasionally the shut-in may have a physical or mental problem that is a handicap for making friends, and a visit from us is especially welcome. I have been blessed with good health all of my life and have a comfortable living, and I feel the need to help others.

PRAYER: Dear God, as I work in these areas, I pray that the things that I do are for You. Amen

How will giving to the Now is the Time campaign affect my tithe or offering?

Now is the Time is not our stewardship campaign. Our tithe or offering to support the

daily mission and ministry of MOUMC should always be our first priority. Please do

not reduce what you are already giving to the church. Now is the Time is an opportunity

to give sacrificially above and beyond our regular gifts.

How will the commitments be paid?

It’s your choice how to fulfill your gift. Commitments may be paid now through

December 31, 2018. Gifts may be given weekly, monthly, yearly or in any way that is

convenient for you. Assets other than money (real estate, stocks, bonds, life insurance

and other securities) are excellent ways to give. Your gifts of appreciated assets may

have additional tax benefits to the donor.

MAY 2, 2015 - Dennis Wamsted

For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:9-11

The imagery in this verse strikes near to my heart, since when I joined Mount Olivet I was just beginning to lay the foundation of my faith; I was (and still am, to be honest) truly a work in progress. But I have had plenty of help building my foundation, with generations of past Mount Olivet members paving the way for me with a faith that I look back at with awe: the faith it took our founders 160 years ago to say they wanted to build a church, and then to do precisely that; the courage it took to rebuild after the newly completed church was commandeered and then razed during the Civil War; and the perseverance of the congregation in the 1930s, when the church’s bank balance dipped to as little as 56 cents in June 1931, and was still just $1.39 a year later.

When I struggle with my faith today, I know that many who have come before me have similarly struggled—and had the faith to carry on, not knowing exactly what the future held. Check out the cornerstones in the Gathering Space some Sunday before church and you can’t fail but to travel back, at least momentarily, to those years—1895, 1920, 1948 and 1995. Certainly there was uncertainty when each of those cornerstones was laid, but each and every time church members moved forward, building on the existing foundation. In similar fashion, I hope my faith today will help build a foundation for future generations of Mount Olivet members.

PRAYER: Gracious and loving God, help me, help us, to build on the beautiful foundation you have given us. Amen.

LORD, What do you want to do through me

to fulfill your will for MOUMC?

MAY 3, 2015 - Kenn Speicher

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and

pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:1-5

“Where was God?” I wrote these words in Haiti nearly four years ago, heartbroken for the people who had suffered so much since the 2010 earthquake. The numbers of the dead and displaced were staggering. The malnourished children. The overcrowded tarp cities. People with no work, no food, and little hope. But my cry from the heart came from one horrible moment. Several on our team had tried to save a starving baby burning with fever. Word came that evening. The baby was dead, another casualty of poverty. “Where were you, God? What were you waiting for?”

But I knew better. I just needed eyes to see. God was where God always is. With the poor, the hungry, and the sick. In shelters and food lines. In prisons and war zones and refugee camps. And not far from Mount Olivet, with homeless children and teens victimized by abuse and human trafficking. God isn’t waiting to do something. God is waiting for us.

Revelation may be the strangest book in the Bible. And that’s saying something. But within its violent vision of apocalypse is one of the Bible’s most hopeful and liberating passages. A new Heaven and new Earth. No more tears or mourning or pain. God among God’s people on Earth, making all things new. How will this happen? I believe God works within us and through us to care for the world. That’s why God is waiting for us to act. The time is now.

I’ve often wondered: did God call me to Haiti? There was no burning bush. But something made me ask: who is this Danette Segroves, and why should I join her mission team? Something prompted me to take Dee Revere’s Living the Questions class. Something told my dear wife Ann that if she kept dragging me to Rebuilding Together I might learn what tools are for. And years ago, something brought Ann and me to this special community of faith called Mount Olivet.

PRAYER: God of grace, the time is now. Your Kingdom is within reach – here, and now. Help us respond to Your call to act, not just to improve a building, but to make something new – to sustain and expand our foundation for serving and loving our neighbors. The time is now. You are waiting for us, wherever we are needed most. Amen.

MAY 4, 2015 - Maggie McLellan

But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, 'I am only a youth,' because everywhere I send you, you shall go, and all that I command you, you shall speak.’ Jeremiah 1:7

I have been a part of the Mount Olivet family since my earliest days. My mother religiously brings my sister and me to 8:30 service and Sunday school every week without fail, and I could not imagine my life without the spiritual foundation that was instilled

in me from the very beginning. Growing up in the nurturing Mount Olivet environment has shaped my character for the better in more ways than I can enumerate. I have fond memories of trying to memorize the books of the Old Testament in Mr. Coates’ Sunday School class, and singing obnoxiously loud in the cherub and junior choirs under the guidance of Mrs. Felty. Mount Olivet instilled a sense of self and a relationship with God very early on in my life and for that I am eternally thankful.

One moment of true revelation in my spiritual journey happened on my sixth grade trip to Jeremiah Project with the middle schoolers of Mount Olivet. On our last night in camp the Worship Leader led the camp in a prayer service that changed my view of myself and God. The lights in the small chapel were dimmed and the leader, playing softly on his guitar, spoke about God’s infinite goodness, His love for each and every one of us, and His plan that we are called to live out in His name. A deep and emotional understanding of His love washed over me at that moment and I began to cry softly while we were invited to kneel at the altar and leave all our doubts and fears at the feet of the cross. I will never forget that emotional turning point in my spiritual journey, and it is all thanks to the Mount Olivet community and their support that I was able to progress in my faith in such a significant way. I know that through the community’s continued support, middle schoolers and all of the Mount Olivet Youth still have the same opportunities and experiences that I was able to experience and for that I am truly grateful.

PRAYER: Dear God, Thank you for this church community that has nurtured me in my faith. Amen.

LORD, What do you want to do through me

to fulfill your will for MOUMC?

MAY 5, 2015 - Anne Venezia

The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 Although I attended church weekly as a child, I stopped attending in my teenage years and became skeptical of religion when attending college. I returned to church – for the first time in 15 years – after the terrorist attacks

on September 11, 2001. Like many in our country, I was questioning human motivations and the direction of our world once this seemingly senseless attack hit so close to home. Church felt like the place to start seeking answers. After our children were born, I once again felt drawn back to church. Not only for the support of other new parents, but for the warmth and welcoming that church provided during the suddenly overwhelming experience of parenthood. Specifically, the support of the Spirited Parents group at Mount Olivet has been tremendous. I often show up on Sundays feeling stressed, uncertain, and imbalanced from the pressures of daily life and emerge feeling comforted and calm, as if life has been re-prioritized and makes sense again. I am further drawn to the generosity of the Mount Olivet church family. MOUMC provides daily opportunities to do God’s work by helping members of the community – both within and outside of the church. In a time when examples of insensitivity abound, these occasions to give back provide a powerful example that God’s love is still present. Through MOUMC, I have found my compass in an otherwise confusing and complicated world. PRAYER: God, please help us remember what is important in life and keep at our focus those who need help the most – spiritually, emotionally, or otherwise. Give us the tools to do your good work daily and stay the faithful course. Amen.

MAY 6, 2015 - Steven Meek

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

Like many individuals I had grown apart from regular church attendance during college which then lingered through my twenties. It is not that I didn’t look; my wife and I actually tried several times to find a church home while we lived in DC but for one reason or another we never were successful in finding a place that we both felt comfortable. And though I did feel some remorse about not attending church regularly, I also began to wonder if I had grown apart from God or whether regular attendance was even something that I needed in my life. What I did not realize then was that I had filled my time with less fulfilling self-centered activities, and though God was speaking to me, I was choosing not to listen.

When we moved to Falls Church, we wanted our future children to have a church to call home, so we decided to start the search anew. For many reasons, we ultimately decided on Mount Olivet. Though I felt God pushing me to reconnect with the church, I still spent the first year or so as a passive participant in the Mount Olivet family (and honestly not really feeling fulfilled). It was at this point that God stepped in. First, in the form of Linnea Carlson, who asked my wife to lead a new Sunday school for families with little kids. I remember thinking when she first told me of this proposal, “You said no, right?” Thankfully, she didn’t say “no,” and we started the class. Though it is chaotic with infants and toddlers frequently interjecting themselves into our discussion of the latest study, I have found great fellowship with the other families and frequently believe God is speaking directly to me through the insights being shared by one of the class participants.

The second opportunity that presented itself was mission. I traveled to Haiti last April and worked with the Thomas Food Project. As anyone who’s been on a mission will attest, the experience is spiritually moving and would fall within Pastor Ed’s definition of “awesome.” After returning home, one day it struck me that though the folks in Haiti face more physical hardships than I on a daily basis, each one of them seemed to lead a spiritually richer, Christ-centered life than my own. Now when I feel like I’m struggling to visualize the Christian “race marked out” in the Hebrews verse above, I remember my friends in Haiti and use their examples as a guidepost.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for continuing the conversation with us even when we’re not listening. Help us to cut away from the daily noise and hear your words, to understand where you are leading us, and to focus on Christ in all that we do. Amen.

MAY 7, 2015 - Anita Allen

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

As the mother of a son, I can appreciate the grief a parent must feel when that son dies prematurely. Surely all parents can identify with the unbearable sense of loss that Jesus’ mother, Mary, felt after his crucifixion.

It is up to us – the members of Mount Olivet – to continue the work Jesus and his disciples had begun. One way we do this is through our Community Assistance program when we reach out to needy neighbors to feed them a nourishing meal and invite them to worship with us.

My father was my spiritual role model. He died young of cancer, but by then he had already left an indelible imprint on me. I adored my father, partly because he gave me so much attention and encouragement. It was from him I learned the importance of attending and supporting the church regularly and building relationships with others in the congregation. Through his example I welcomed God into my life and served God through the opportunities God made available.

I know if my father were living today he would encourage me to contribute generously to fund the cause to make needed repairs and improvements to my church as he did for his. Those of us who are long-term members have grown spiritually and contributed financially to support Mount Olivet’s programs. Maintaining our building is a priority if we want to ensure that our programs continue to thrive.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we are forever grateful for all the blessings of being your children and for the opportunity to worship you and your son Jesus here at Mount Olivet. Please give us the determination to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve our church’s goals. Amen.

LORD, What do you want to do through me

to fulfill your will for MOUMC?

MAY 8, 2015 - Lou Phelps

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any

excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. Philippians 4:4-11 I have been a member of Faith and Fellowship Sunday School class since my first day at Mount Olivet. This was almost twenty years ago. This is also cause for rejoicing. It is a joy to me to be part of this circle of friends each week. We have been through a lot together. We have shared life and death, our joys and sorrows. We have kept faithful. We've lifted each other up. We like to talk about the nature of our faith and the nature of God. We talk about love and joy. How is happiness different from joy? We discuss what it means to be made in the image of God. What does it mean to abide in Jesus? How can we know God's will? We have thought hard about the Holy Spirit and the Trinity. And all this has just been in the past year or so. We teach each other. We are joyfully searching. We don't mind questions. We think about matters of the heart and soul. We read the Bible. We study. We mull over what we have studied. We discuss what we have mulled over. We build on our knowledge of each other. We look for God in each other and we are not disappointed, week by week and year by year. We pray together. We study the nature of prayer. Then, we pray for each other.

All this has had an immeasurable impact on my life. I have changed for the good. When I think of our church, and how much it means to be part of Mount Olivet, I rejoice. There have been so many opportunities to be blessed and to be a blessing. And there has been great reason to be joyful, especially thinking of all the members of Faith and Fellowship, past and present, whom I cherish as dear friends in faith. What a joy! PRAYER: Father, Bless us as we gather in your name. Amen.

MAY 9, 2015 - Dora Sue Black

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4

We are often asked to reflect on the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice for our lives. What does that mean? Why did He die for our sins? Why would God allow His Son to be crucified? One of the best descriptors of this sacrifice is “Love.” God sent his son to us out of love. He gave up His Son because of His love. All through Jesus’

life, his parables shared a kind of love, one that reaches out to others for no other reason than to be a reflection of the gifts God has given us.

Mercy, grace, forgiveness, and joy are all forms of love God has bestowed upon us. What should we do with these gifts? Should we place them on a shelf? Should we keep them hidden? Do we share them with others so that they may know the “True Light”? Do we only remember them while sitting in a pew?

I hope to remember the gifts God has given me, and be one that will cause others to ask what makes me different in this world. Is it sharing a smile for no reason or saying “hello” to a stranger? Is it forgiving the person who cut me off in traffic? Is it taking a breath when things do not go my way? Is it volunteering to share God’s message of salvation with those who have yet to meet Jesus? Is it rejoicing when our son comes home proud of his day? Is it remembering to say “I love you” for no reason other than I do?

During this Capital Campaign we are asked to add to this list of gifts, and that is one of additional monetary generosity. We have a beautiful facility that hosts many different ways to share Christ’s love for us. We have community service, Bible Study, preschool, music programs, weddings, funerals, Youth programs, and our wonderful Sunday services. Just like our own homes, we need to care for our property so that we can continue to enjoy and use them. How can we be stewards of our building? While the scripture is about loving people, how do we use our building to love people? We use all of the building weekly to share God’s grace, from the kitchen to the sanctuary.

As we pray about how to support the Capital Campaign at Mount Olivet, please consider all of the ways God has given to us. Having Jesus as the center of my life means that I am to be patient and kind to all and when asked why I am who I am, respond with the Grace that God has given me.

PRAYER: God, though it can be a challenge sometimes, help us all to slow down, reflect, pray, and be thankful for all of your love and gifts. Amen.

MAY 10, 2015 - CELEBRATION SUNDAY - Cindy Huber

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers…All who believed were together and had all things in common … Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

Community (noun): (1) a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common; (2) a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals (example – the sense of community that organized religion can provide).

When Shirley Beck asked me to write a devotional about what Mount Olivet means to me and how I have been inspired in my personal life and pilgrimage of faith I was scared. Scared because putting those thoughts on paper and out for everyone to see makes me vulnerable. And worried because I was not sure I could put into words the powerful impact this church and the congregation has had on my life. So I spent a lot of time thinking, discarding one explanation and then another. It finally came to me. It is all about community. Mount Olivet is my community and so much more than just my faith community. Other than my extended family, the people of Mount Olivet are the most important community I have. I have grown in my faith through study, discussion and worship, and also through the many opportunities to serve with you as the hands and feet of Christ in mission. I am blessed to regularly break bread and enjoy fellowship with my Mount Olivet family.

I have been forever changed by my deepening relationships with you and God. All of these opportunities have been possible because of the staff and church members, as well as the church’s physical plant. I am excited by the potential to enhance our passionate worship. I am thrilled by the possibilities to make our Fellowship Hall and other areas more welcoming, more functional, and more able to serve our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. I pray you are blessed by Mount Olivet as much as I am. Now is our chance to celebrate our community and do more to share our blessings.

PRAYER: God, thank you for the community that is Mount Olivet. Help us hear your voice in the many places you speak to us in our homes, our church, our neighborhood and the world. And help us celebrate your presence in our lives by our prayers, presence, gifts and service for the Capital Campaign. Amen.

Mount Olivet United Methodist Church 1500 N. Glebe Road Arlington VA 22207