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Free Spiritual Gift Inventory 

​https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/spiritual-gifts-inventory/en
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6/25 Pentecost Sunday

​Americans have become increasingly lonely and isolated, and this lack of social connection is having profound effects on our mental and physical health, the surgeon general [Vivek Murthy] warned in an advisory on Tuesday.
Advisories from America’s top doctor are typically reserved for public health challenges that require immediate attention. This is the first time one has been used to highlight the issue of loneliness.
More than half of Americans are lonely, according to a 2021 poll, which also found that young adults are almost twice as likely to report feeling lonely as those over age 65. …
Whether we consider ourselves lonely or not, many of us can benefit from making the effort to rebuild and cultivate our connections with other people. I asked Dr. Murthy to expand on the advisory and share some of his best advice.
To get started, take 15 minutes each day to contact a friend or a relative. Put a reminder in your calendar, if needed, so that it remains a priority. Your relationships cannot thrive unless they are nurtured.
“Those brief in-person interactions can make us feel good for a long time because we are hard-wired to connect,”Dr. Murthy said.
Even if it’s only a brief conversation, show how much you value the person you’re speaking with by being authentic, Dr. Murthy advised. In other words, as he put it, “be real” when you’re connecting with someone.
“We don’t have to put on airs,” he said. “We don’t have to be somebody else. We can just truly be us.” …
For more satisfying quality time, put the devices down and give your full attention.
“Focus on the conversation,” he said. “Listening is as important as what we say.”
While you’re at it, scale back on social media. Virtual connection is not a replacement for in-person time with the important people in your life.
—Christina Caron, “How to Feel Less Lonely, According to the Surgeon General,” The New York Times, May 2, 2023.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/02/well/mind/loneliness-isolation-surgeon-general.html.

Marriage Covenant in the UMC

For these resources ~ go to the CUMC Youtube Video Library and stream the messages ~ below is the marriage covenant which will be used on 2/2 as we renew vows at 12:10pm in the Sanctuary. Thanks for being a part of this series. I still believe Loving Relationships is vital to what it means to be human, but it takes work. Family in the Bible and in our lives is so important, but so easy to ignore.  In this series, I tried to make connections between scripture, reason and our experience in the area of Family and Relationships. These are gifts to us, but we have to work at it. Joy and Peace ~ Tommy  Remember: Counseling is not a weakness, it is a strength!  

Disclaimer about the Covenant Above ~ This document was written in a pre- 2024 General Conference UMC time, so we will  be using  inclusive terms for marriage (spouse) in the renewal of the vows. If any have issue with this, remember ~ we love and respect all people of sacred worth and we are called to be understanding and considerate to "All" marriages in the name of Jesus Christ. ​

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Series the 25 Days of Christmas at Clemson UMC
Rev. Wilkes Series ~ Catalog of links and References
 
Ending Scene of It’s a Wonderful Life on Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDQVRxRlGdQ
 
History of It’s a Wonderful Life
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_a_Wonderful_Life
 
History of the Bells of Saint Mary
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bells_of_St._Mary%27s
 
The Full Movie of the Bells of Saint Mary on youtube below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APRNe_3tzdg
 
Fred Clause
https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/fred-claus
History of Fred Clause
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Claus
 
The full show of the Little Drummer Boy on Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSSOP4_HSC0
 
History of Rudolph the red nosed reindeer
https://time.com/5479322/rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer-history-origins/
 
Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Santa coming to Town and Little Drummer Boy Mega file for free on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ3SFd8vsq4&t=1517s
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​Charlie Brown Christmas is available to watch on Apple TV
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Religion and the Life and Work of Charles Shultz (documentary) National Museum of American Religion (interesting)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoEfzA9GrEs

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Resources for Finishing Well/ 
All Saints Day Message

According to the Sweetings, finishing well refers to following Christ to the very end of our lives. We finish well by the grace of God. Six components have been identified to describe those who finish well:
 
1. Those who finish well have a Christ-centered life.
2. Those who finish well have a focused life rather than a scattered life.
3. Those who finish well have disciplined lives, including prayer, fellowship, fun, service, and worship.
4. Those who finish well are life-long learners and remain teachable.
5. Those who finish well have a well-networked life and key relationships. You are not on this journey alone.
6. Those who finish well have a lifelong perspective so that in the end, we hear our master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
How to Finish the Christian Life: Following Jesus in the Second Half by George and Donald Sweeting/ taken from the Michigan UMC Conference Website

Tears in Heaven, Eric Clapton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk7QIsOBsOM
History behind the song ~ https://www.biography.com/musicians/eric-clapton-tears-in-heaven-son
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Scriptures of Hope in a time of Loss or Grief~https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/20-bible-verses-about-grief-to-help-comfort-in-the-midst-of-loss.html?gbraid=0AAAAAD7cQFVM7rDt0GMuZwxHr-UWtpqno&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1Yy5BhD-ARIsAI0RbXa6qIqe7qAkrMcmY081QdRUImFp29jQuxns8KFe22DXTpwuDFz5ykwaAsexEALw_wcB
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Loving God and Neighbor Series
6/30 Salkehatchie Sunday, 7/7 Love Family, 7/14 Love Friends, 7/28 Love Enemies, 8/4 Loving the Neighborhood
Messages on YouTube
8/4/24
​Loving the Neighborhood
The Best of Mr. Rogers

#seeallthepeople

7/21/24
Olympic "Good News"
​ Video of Derek Redmond

3/3/24 Caring for All God's Creation 
Focus on the Little Things You Can Do
It’s good to learn about environmental problems, and even better to do something about them. Here are a few practical steps you can take:

• Go outside and learn about the plants, animals, and ecosystems around you. Knowledge leads to understanding and respect; use field guides, online resources, or apps to get to know God’s creations more personally.
• Choose to walk, skate, cycle, carpool, or use public transportation where available. You can enjoy the outdoors a little bit more while at the same time reducing pollution.
• Buy local. This has the double benefit of directly supporting your community and cutting carbon emissions (products grown or made locally don’t need to travel as far).
• Plant a garden. There are few food sources more sustainable or personally fulfilling than growing your own!6 As a young adult, you might have limited space, so start small by growing an herb garden or consider joining a community garden.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle. Consume less, carry reusable grocery bags and water bottles, and check what materials are recyclable in your city.
• Use less water and energy. Things like taking shorter showers, turning off lights, and unplugging appliances when not in use can all add up.
• Get involved. You could consider volunteering or supporting reputable environmental groups.
• Vote. Take the time to be educated and vote the way you feel will best affect environmental issues and policies.
• Be “anxiously engaged in a good cause” (see Doctrine and Covenants 58:26–29). We’ve been taught the principles—now it’s time to act on them.

 
Saint Francis of Assisi, for Our Pets
Good St. Francis, you loved all of God's creatures. To you they were your brothers and sisters. Help us to follow your example of treating every living thing with kindness. St. Francis, Patron Saint of animals, watch over my pet and keep my companion safe and healthy. Amen.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsXkYSXu1Gc
earth day news
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQYgCxu988s
the world above and environment
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzVvThhjAKw
forests above
 
https://www.earthday.org/earth-hub/
earth day quiz and info


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1/14     Why do bad things happen to Good People? Links below
Click below on the links to see the Author's and their Work that contributed to the Message on Why Bad things Happen to Good People. Links below for Eli, Adam, Leslie, Alvin and Marvin

Elie Wiesel  at the Buna Concentration Camp ~
heard “Where is God? Where is He?” someone behind me asked.
For more than half an hour stayed there, struggling between life and death, dying in slow agony under our eyes. And we had to look him full in the face. He was still alive when I passed in front of him. His tongue was still red, his eyes were not yet glazed. Behind me, I heard the same man asking: “Where is God now?” And I heard a voice within me answer him:   “Where is He? Here He is—He is hanging here on these gallows.”
 
Adam Hamilton ADAM HAMILTON’S BOOK ON WHY?
In Response to Losing two friends ~ and the Child who fell from a balcony…
 
LESLIE WEATHERHEAD’S BOOK THE WILL OF GOD
A UMC pastor working through the Will of God in Bible Study

Alvin Plantinga  American analytic philosopher who works primarily in the fields of philosophy of religion, epistemology (particularly on issues involving epistemic justification), and logic.

Interview with Alvin regarding the existence of evil in the world YouTube

Martin Luther King's 3 Evils  click here 

Scripture References for 1/21
"Why do Prayers go Unanswered?"

Timing of God
Ecclesiastes 3:1 For Everything there is a Time and a Season Under Heaven.
Peter 3:8. Do not overlook the face, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is as one day 

Waiting of the Lord
​Isaiah 40:31 They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength....
Psalm 27:14 Wait of the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage.

Persistance in Prayer ~ 
Colossians 4:2-6., Luke 18:1, Romans 12:1
Luke 11:5-13 ~ Knocking on the Door at Midnight
Proverbs 3:5 ~ Trust in the Lord with All your heart and Lean not on your own understanding... in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths...

Prayers Unanswered
2 Corinthians 12:9  The Lord's Response to Paul's thorn in the side.
My Grace is sufficient for you, Power is made perfect in Weakness.

 Matthew 26:36-46  Jesus in the Garden
Take this Cup from me, but not my will but Thy Will be done.
Scripture help in time of trouble Psalm 46/ Psalm 121/ John 14
Prayer Helps / www.clemsonumc.org/prayer-toolbox.html

Adam Hamilton's book Why? see above link ~ Chapter on Why Prayers go unanswered.

Garth Brooks ~ unanswered prayer
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9Xawlq1-oE

Bruce Almighty prayer scenehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrxAgOXj5pE

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