Nexus News- September 5, 2009

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Dear Friends of Nexus Church,

By Request sermon series continues Sept 6
Forgive, forget, and move on - that's the advice of many helpful experts in human behavior.  But is that REALLY what Christian forgiveness is all about?  Do we forget about injustice?  Do we remain defined by the ways other have mis-treated us?  How might we "move on" with our lives?

These are some of the questions on my mind as I prepare for this Sunday's exploration of forgiveness.  You asked me to preach on "forgiveness," but, friends,  it was too big a topic for one sermon.  This Sunday Sept 6 I will conclude the sermon I started last week: Unconditional Forgiveness.

Our focus this Sunday will be on what I consider to be the hardest part of forgiveness:  forgiving others when they mistreat us and asking others to forgive us when we mistreat them.

This Sunday we will be inspired with the acoustic guitar and bass music of Nancy Wheeler and Mike Kiely.  We'll share our joys and our concerns in prayer.  Krista Bramlage will lead the children in New Explorers.  Our service will conclude with Holy Communion, assisted by Janet Crawford. Ty and Brian Smith will set up our worship space and make announcements.

No potluck this month
Because of the wonderful end-of-summer pool party that Kim Martin and Corinne Cross hosted last week, we will NOT have our usual first-Sunday potluck lunch after church this week.

Instead, I've been told that you may expect special muffins and other goodies to go along with your coffee, tea, and water.

Opportunities for service

• Share a meal with our Muslim friends -- Sunday evening, Sept 13 - The 6th Annual Ramadan Iftar Dinnerat the Islamic Center near I75 and Tylersville road.  The evening includes a tour of the mosque, a special program, and a sundown dinner that celebrates the end of daily fasting observed by Muslims during the month of Ramadan.  For more information, see Sandi Lerman.
• Share a meal with homeless families -- Friday evening and Saturday morning, Sept 18-19 - As part of the Inter-faith Hospitality Network in Lebanon, Nexus folk prepare food and activities for homeless families.  See Helen Ulrich for details.
• Talk a river walk to help stop AIDS -- Saturday Morning, Sept 26 - The 20th Annual Walk to STOP AIDS! at Sawyer Point.  It's a 5-mile walk along the Ohio and Kentucky sides of the Ohio River.  See Dana Johnson to join our Nexus team of walkers.

Ty and Brian Smith in the New York Times
In case you missed it, here's a link to last week's article in the New York Times based in large part on interviews with Ty and Brian Smith:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/fashion/27SKIN.html?_r=1

The article "Black Hair, Still Tangled in Politics" appeared in the August 28th edition of the international newspaper.  Featured in the Fashion and Style section, the article is a great example of what happens when you connect your faith and your life.

Just call me a nag - have you spoken up about health care?
Here's an easy way to connect your faith and life.  Go to this website and let President Obama know what you want done about health care:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

It will send an e-mail to the President.

Blessings for you today and every day,

Mike

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