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First Mennonite Church
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Join us at First Mennonite Church Sunday Morning for Spiritual Growth and Fellowship
What's Happening @ FMCJanuary 26
Message by Pastor Phil The Core Convictions of Early Anabaptism Celebrating 500 Years of Anabaptism. We will be having Communion for all believers on Sunday January 31 & February 1
Ladies Winter Retreat at Hunter Lake See Newsletter for details Quick Links:
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Sunday Worship: 9:00 AM (Sunday School following) You are welcome to join us on Sunday, or stop in for a chat! We want to meet you! |
Sermons on YouTubeFollow link above to our church page on YouTube
On the Journey...
Making Friends with Winter By Pastor Philip Yoder Many people I know do not like winter very much, and I am one of them. The cold weather, snow removal, slippery roads, frozen water pipes, and limited outdoor activities, all contributes to making winter more challenging. Some people elect to go south for the winter months so they don’t have to deal with all the inconveniences that winter weather brings, but not everybody has that option. Even though I am not much of a fan of winter, I do enjoy the different seasons, and understand that winter is one of those seasons. And like it or not, winter is once again upon us.
I know people who love winter. They are mostly children. Many children look forward to sled riding, ice skating, skiing, playing in the snow, days off from school, and other activities that winter brings. To them, winter is not filled with inconveniences, but with adventures. The truth is, we don’t get to choose the weather. And God, in His wisdom, made winter to be one of the seasons of the year. And if we observe what happens in winter, maybe we can see what God had in mind for these few cold months each year. Trees lose their leaves, and for a good reason. Leaves covered with ice and snow would break off the branches. Leaves are essential for trees because they act as the primary food-producing organ, using sunlight to create food for the tree. Leaves are the "solar panels" of a tree, absorbing carbon dioxide from the air and producing oxygen while creating the necessary food for the tree to grow and thrive. Enough science for now. We know that leaves are essential for trees, but they release them in preparation for winter, so they can survive the harsh weather. Even trees need rest. And there is the key to understanding why winter is important, and even a gift from God. Winter is intended to be a period of rest. God intended for us and for all of nature to have a period of rest every year. Wild animals do not bear their young in winter months. Flowers do not bloom. Birds do not build nests or hatch eggs. Fruit trees don’t produce fruit. Many plants don’t survive freezing temperatures. Most of nature takes a rest. That is God’s design, and that is God’s intent. But for some reason, we humans think we are smarter than nature, and that we can go all year without a significant rest. I think we would do well to pay attention to a lesson that God built into nature, and break our busy routines, and observe times of rest in the winter. Here are a couple suggestions to make the most of winter’s rest. Read that book you have wanted to read but neglected, because you haven’t had time. Reconnect with a friend you haven’t seen in a while. Spend a few evenings with a spouse or family member sipping a hot drink and telling stories. Try a new soup recipe. Take a nap. Daydream a little, stretch your imagination capacity. Maybe winter is not so bad after all! |