I'm with the DJ | 5.5.21

This Sunday we will begin a new sermon series studying the book of Ruth. I want to encourage you to read the whole book of Ruth before this Sunday. It’s only 85 verses long and will take one decent sitting. For this week, we will focus on the first chapter. In case you don’t have your Bible’s handy I’m copying the first 22 verses below.

Do you want to help with the sermon series? I’m Crowdsourcing for photos. 

I'm working on a sermon series studying the book of Ruth. What I would love is a picture of a person in your life that is emblematic of the words Valor or Grit. If you can provide a reason why you chose the person, that would be amazing. I promise to give photo credit. I'll be sharing the photos throughout our 4-week series. Please feel free to email me them directly. 

Let’s continue to pray for one another dear church. 

Grace and Peace, 

Pastor DJ

Elimelech’s Family Goes to Moab

1 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. 3 But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. When they had lived there about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Chilion also died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.

Naomi and Her Moabite Daughters-in-Law

6 Then she started to return with her daughters-in-law from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had considered his people and given them food. 7 So she set out from the place where she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law, and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah. 8 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back each of you to your mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 The Lord grant that you may find security, each of you in the house of your husband.” Then she kissed them, and they wept aloud. 10 They said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” 11 But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, 13 would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the Lord has turned against me.” 14 Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

15 So she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” 16 But Ruth said,

“Do not press me to leave you

    or to turn back from following you!

Where you go, I will go;

    where you lodge, I will lodge;

your people shall be my people,

    and your God my God.

17 

Where you die, I will die—

    there will I be buried.

May the Lord do thus and so to me,

    and more as well,

if even death parts me from you!”

18 When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.

19 So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?” 20 She said to them,

“Call me no longer Naomi,[a]

    call me Mara,[b]

    for the Almighty[c] has dealt bitterly with me.

21 

I went away full,

    but the Lord has brought me back empty;

why call me Naomi

    when the Lord has dealt harshly with[d] me,

    and the Almighty[e] has brought calamity upon me?”

22 So Naomi returned together with Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, who came back with her from the country of Moab. They came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.

I'm with the DJ | 4.21.21

Friends and family of Federal Way UMC,

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus. Whew, it’s been a week hasn’t it? Some of our church folk got their first or second vaccination. Others are in the middle of grieving. Still others in our church have had recent diagnosis from their doctors.  This week, I’ve been reading over Micah 6:8…

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good;

    and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

    and to walk humbly with your God?”

I’d like to encourage you to read this verse or another that touches your heart. With all that is happening in our world, Scripture is a great tool for grounding. 

Speaking of things happening this week.

George Floyd and Black Lives Matter

I’ve had some conversations recently with people I care about regarding why phrases like “All lives matter” can be problematic.  I’d like to share three articles that I find to be helpful in broadening my perspective as I continue to learn.

This first article provides history, context and possible responses to problematic phrases heard today.

https://www.today.com/.../how-respond-racist-offensive...

Of course, all people are beautiful, but you have to question why people say that “black is beautiful” or “black lives matter”?’ she asks. ‘For centuries people have been taught that black people aren’t beautiful. We’re reclaiming the fact that Black bodies are beautiful and that they do matter.'

https://www.google.com/.../all-lives-matter-fake-equality/

“When someone says All Lives Matter, how does that make you feel? It feels a weapon. And it may not be a consciously wielded weapon, but it is a weapon to silence, to shut up. A weapon to undermine what Black people are trying to say.” 

https://www.oprahdaily.com/.../layla-saad-all-lives.../

“This is an article from the UK that isn’t recent, but I find to be helpful to add to the conversation and depending on some, the debate.“

https://www.google.com/.../all-lives-matter-fake-equality/

Preacher this Sunday

Our preacher this Sunday will be Reverend Terri Stewart.  Her sermon title is “On the Other Side of Fear: Ministry to the incarcerated and the courage to face the past” based on Exodus 3:1-12.  If you would like to support her ministry you can send any donations to  

Circle Faith Future

16544 191st PL NE

Woodinville, WA 98072

Any donation will be applied to the work that she will do with incarcerated youth.

I’ll keep you in my prayers this week.

Pastor DJ

I'm with the DJ | 4.15.21

Hello Church!

I hope that you and your loved ones have taken some time to enjoy the amazing weather this week. Plants are beginning to bloom and it feels like Spring. This Sunday we will celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday. You will have a chance to support Native American scholarships within the United Methodist Church. 

During the service, we will be sharing a theological reflection with one of our own church families sharing their faith story. The Minthorn family have been regular participants in our church since 2019. Robin and Gabe have an incredible daughter Roxie. I spent some time with their family learning a bit more about their culture, calling and story. I look forward to seeing you on the chat this Sunday at 10am!

I’m copying below some resources the Minthorn family suggested for further learning.

Land acknowledgement from the Puyallup tribe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGnac8x-SIM

A Kiowa hymn sung by a Kiowa pastor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFZEuhjZghk

Muckleshoot meditation: https://youtu.be/sekUZfkmDe4 

Additional resources from the United Methodist Church:

https://www.umc.org/en/content/native-american-ministries-sunday-ministry-article

Peace be with you,

Pastor DJ

I'm with the DJ | 4.7.21

I'm with the DJ | 3.31.21

Weekly communication from Pastor DJ 3/27/21

Friends of Federal Way UMC, 

Can you believe that Spring is almost here? In talking with some of you, I’m learning that this is a good time to start working on our yards. Speaking of yards, thanks so much to our trustees and many volunteers who continue to take great care of our church property, flowers, playground and plants. This Sunday we celebrate Palm Sunday. It’s the day that we remember Jesus entering into Jerusalem on a donkey. There’s more to the story and I hope you join us as we study this from the perspective of the Gospel of John. With Holy Week starting this, I want to give you a heads up of awesome things happening at our church. Please note that we have made an adjustment to our Good Friday service to begin at 7pm.

Sunday, March 28  10am  Palm Sunday

Thursday, April 1 7pm Holy Thursday service

Friday, April 2nd  7pm Good Friday service

Sunday April 4th 10am  Easter!

On Easter Sunday, we will also be celebrating the sacrament of communion. So please be ready with sacred items in your home that represent the bread and cup. Please continue to pray for our confirmands as they learn more about the Christian faith and their roles. 

I look forward to seeing you all. Stay safe, wear your masks and share God’s love!

Peace be with you, 

Pastor DJ

I’m with the DJ | March 18, 2021

Friends of Federal Way UMC, 

I pray that you got to enjoy the few days of sunshine. What a joy it is to feel the warmth of the sun! This Sunday is our 5th week of Lent. With Holy Week starting March 28th, I want to give you a heads up of awesome things happening at our church. 

Sunday, March 28  10am  Palm Sunday

Thursday, April 1 7pm Holy Thursday service

Friday, April 2nd  Noon Good Friday service

Sunday April 4th 10am  Easter!

On Easter Sunday, we will also be celebrating the sacrament of communion. So please be ready with sacred items in your home that represent the bread and cup. Please continue to pray for our confirmands as they learn more about the Christian faith and their roles. 

I look forward to seeing you all. Stay safe, wear your masks and share God’s love!

Peace be with you, 

Pastor DJ

I’m with the DJ February 24

Church,

This weekend we continue our Lenten series. If you haven’t picked up your devotional guide at church. There is still time. We will be leaving copies outside the church doors during regular office hours. Please be sure to save your “Jesus has risen” temporary tattoos for Holy Week. 

I hope that you have also checked in with your community group as well. If you are unsure who is in your community group. Please check in with Janet G. yellowhouse4@comcast.net. 

In the comments section below, please respond to the question of the week. 

What’s a favorite meal you have been making during this pandemic?

Peace be with you church,

Rev. DJ