New Year, New Emphasis

         

2013 brought with it lots of newness: new worship services, new campus and even new babies.  God has been birthing within us all kind of new visions, new dreams, and new strategies for claiming our community and the city of Cincinnati for Jesus Christ!  But with all that newness there are moments when we need to take a step back and say what is working, what is not working.  As the Leadership Council and the pastoral staff has reflected on 2013, we’ve recognized that we need to be more intentional with our outreach emphasis in Price Hill and not spread ourselves too thin.  So that’s what we are doing.  How you might ask:  first, we will be communicating what’s happening at Price Hill on a more regular basis, giving everyone simple opportunities to be involved, and our pastoral staff will rotate preaching schedules beginning with once a month.  We recognize we need to make what’s happening at Price Hill more visible to the Delhi Campus.  It is our first priority!

Second, we will be transforming what we do on Saturday Nights.  Instead of offering a weekly fourth worship option, we are going to be concentrating our efforts to one intensive service per month.  On the first Saturday Night of the month beginning with Saturday, February 1, 2014, we will be launching Saturday Night Alive.  We are transforming our weekly Saturday Night worship service into an intense monthly worship experience!  There will be more music, a light message, followed by communion.  Children’s ministry will be provided. These Saturday Night Alives are not going to be ordinary worship services, so you are not going to want to miss them.  Our last weekly Saturday Night worship service will be January 11th.  

You will also see more emphasis placed on care, follow up with people who are new and with people who have been at Shiloh for a while.  2014 is going to be an incredible year, with this new year we have a new focus so that we can make 2014 our best year ever! 

On Mission with you, 

Pastor Rachel 

The Power of Invitation

It’s amazing to me that in an age where we can tweet anything, post stuff on Facebook, and “Google it” that the number one way to get people to church remains invitation.  People come to church because someone invited them to church!  It’s simple, it’s easy, but sometimes it is down right terrifying.  There are times when the thought of inviting someone to church just scares us!  We look at our invitation cards and begin saying things to ourselves like, “What if my neighbor says no, what if the person I work with is offended when I ask, what if a friendship is made awkward by inviting someone to church?”  Honestly, all that could happen!  It could, but it’s not likely to happen.  People are waiting to be invited!  The people in our lives want to know that they matter-they matter to us and they matter to God.    

The Christmas season is an incredible time of the year to invite people to church.  Perhaps more than any other time of the year people are nostalgic, open, seeking and so it’s a great time to step out in faith and invite people to church!  We’ve been passing out invitation cards and want to encourage you to use these to invite your friends, neighbors, coworkers, family members, and people you meet to one of our four Christmas Eve Services, Tuesday December 24th.   On the Delhi Campus we have services in the sanctuary at 7pm (family focus), 9pm, and 11pm, and on the Price Hill Campus we will be having a service at 7pm.  All of our services will be candle light services!  This week I want to challenge you to think about the people you know who don’t have a home church and take the bold step of inviting them to come to church.  It could change a life: yours and theirs.  

On mission with you, 

Pastor Rachel 

Hope after Sandy Hook

It’s hard to believe, but this Saturday we will remember the one year anniversary of the school shooting that rocked a nation.  Last December, lone gunman Adam Lanza walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and opened fire on children, teachers, and administrators.  When all was said and done, 20 small children, 6 adults, and Lanza’s mother were dead.  Walking through the Advent and Christmas season, it was hard not to think of the slaughter of the Innocent that Herod order in Matthew 3.  Herod, angry with the wise men for not returning to the palace after their visit with Jesus, decides to kill all children under the age of two years old.  It’s callous, it’s random, and it’s senseless.  Sandy Hook is and was all those things.  Thinking about the town, the school, those parents, those families got me to thinking about just how difficult it is to have hope during this time of the year.  Even though Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, many people find the holidays to be anything but hopeful.  Maybe it’s because they have lost someone they love, maybe it’s because a relationship has been severed, divorce papers have been signed, pink slips have been issued, or a diagnosis has been announced.  What ever the reason, many people find themselves surrounded by utter darkness and depression.  If this is you, you are not alone!  There is hope!  Do not hide in your darkness, do not place a barrier between yourself and people, but allow yourself to experience God’s glorious light.  If this is you, there is an online grief resource I want to encourage you to check out called “grief share.”  You can find out more about grief share groups, events, and even receive daily encouraging emails.  GriefShare’s website is www.griefshare.org  This is the most complicated time of the year, a time when we are reminded of those things we have lost, but also a time we remember the gift of Jesus that we have gained.  It’s during this Christmas and Advent season that God brings to my attention the names and situations of many who have lost loved ones over the last several years, and I spend extra time praying for those persons to experience God’s love, grace, and peace.  Know that your pastor is praying for you and asking God to gift you with God’s peace.  I’m also praying for Sandy Hook, the school, the community, and the families.  I’m praying for signs of hope.  

On Mission with you, 

Pastor Rachel 

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

From the Tree and Wreath Sale to the Live Nativity, it is really beginning to look a lot like Christmas here at Shiloh!  In the midst of all of our hustle and bustle, we can forget to participate in the incredible events that are happening at Shiloh!  These experiences help prepare us to be ready for the Birth of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Are you ready?  I’m not asking if your shopping is done or you have decided when you are getting together with your friends and family for Christmas.  I am asking if you are ready for Jesus to show up in your life, and not just your life, but for Jesus to show up and change the world.  Here are some of the things happening at Shiloh to help get us ready:

Weekend of December 14/15

Dude You Hear What I Hear? This year’s Children’s Christmas Play is Saturday, December 14, at 5:30pm, and Sunday, December 15, at 11am.  For months our kids have been readying themselves to share with us the good news of Jesus‘ birth.  On Saturday, there will be a Birthday Party for Jesus following the play. 

Live Nativity Do you like animals?  Do your kids or grandkids?  Then come out to the live nativity on Saturday, December 14, from 6pm to 9pm.  Not only will you experience a live version of Jesus‘ family, but you will also have the opportunity to watch the Christmas Play or even participate in Stations of the Crib!    

Stations of the Crib Created as a parallel experience to The Stations of the Cross, Stations of the Crib is an extremely powerful and prayerful way to experience the birth story of Jesus.  The Stations are open on Saturday, December 14, from 1pm to 9 pm.   

Christmas Eve Services 

Delhi  This year’s Christmas Eve Services will all be held in the Sanctuary!  There is a family service with kid participation at 7pm (we still light candles!) Two Traditional Candle Light services at 9 pm and 11pm.  Child care is provided at 7pm and 9pm.     

Price Hill  We will be having a Candle Light Service at 7pm in Price Hill!  

Christmas Eve Service is a great opportunity to invite your friends, your neighbors and your coworkers to church!  Postcard invitations can be picked up at either location beginning this weekend!  

Church, are you ready?  Are you ready for the birth of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?  If not, let’s get ready together! 

On Mission with you, 

Pastor Rachel 

Stepping into the Call

When God begins to whisper a call in your life, it is an amazing feeling!  Suddenly you are face to face with the reality that the God of the Universe has chosen you for God's world-changing purpose.  Honestly, that's incredible and overwhelming.  But it's not enough to merely hear the call of God, you have to do something about it!  You have to take the next step!  This weekend you heard Pastor Danny Drummond talk about his call into ministry.  In January, Danny will be attending The West Ohio Conference's Candidacy Summit.  It's an opportunity for Danny to take his next step toward becoming a local licensed pastor in The United Methodist Church.  Although this next step will include spiritual and educational requirements for Danny, it will not change his role or position here at Shiloh.  In other words, he's not going anywhere!  We have the priviledge of being part of helping shape Danny into the pastor God is calling him to be.  But Danny isn't the only one on staff stepping into their call as pastor.  

Pastor Brent Dearnell is shifting, "changing seats" here at Shiloh.  For the last 6 years Brent has served as the Pastor of Youth and Young Adults.  Brent's leadership and passion for ministry has not only changed the lives of many young people, but has really shaped the direction of our church.  Brent is an incredible leader, and wants nothing more than to do God's Kingdom work!  In September 2012, our church participated in a 3-year visioning process that named Adult Discipleship as one of the main areas of growth needed and necessary for Shiloh to fulfill it's mission of 'claiming our community and the city of Cincinnati for Jesus Christ.'  Brent very prophetically asked 'what are we going to do about it?'  That is when Brent and I, along with the SPPRC (Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee), decided to expand Brent's role as Associate Pastor to include Adult Discipleship.  Brent will serve as the Director of Discipleship, including all persons: children, youth, and adults.  He will be asking the quesiton, "how do we help people become fully submitted followers of Jesus Christ?"  Since Brent's role is shifting and Shiloh is absolutely committed to the sucess of youth ministry, we will be hiring a new Director of Youth Ministries in June.  This person will be committed full time to investing in our youth and helping our youth become fully submitted followers of Jesus Christ!  Brent is stepping into his calling!  It's amazing, church, to see these young men experience the power of God's call on their lives.   

But it's not just Danny and Brent.  It's you, too!  How are you stepping into God's call on your life?  Stepping into a call implies movement.  So what next steps do you need to take?  If you want to talk about next steps, feel free to talk to me, Pastor Danny or Pastor Brent about God's call on your life. 

On Mission with you, 

Pastor Rachel 

Christmas Is Not Your Birthday

Although the mad dash to Christmas has already begun, this year’s Black Friday spend frenzy is going to be crazier than ever.  Many stores are not only following last year’s trend of actually opening the late evening of Thanksgiving, but many are opening for those elusive deals as early as 6pm!  Which means-- as people are gathering with family and friends to eat a meal, they are also calculating how to get their holiday shopping done early.  I can just picture it, Dad’s cutting into the Turkey and we are urging him to hurry because Walmart is almost open!  It is totally wrecking the rest and relaxation of Thanksgiving Day!  Not to mention the thousands of people who are forced to work even earlier or later on Thursday!  ‘Tis the season, right?‘  Actually no!  Advent-those 4 weeks leading up to Christmas Day- and Christmas are seasons in the church purposed to help us prepare for the birth of Jesus!  Jesus, Immanuel, God with us came to this earth and moved into our neighborhood so that we could experience real life transformation throughout the world.  It wasn’t about savings and Santa!  The birth of Jesus was about changing the world!  This Christmas, instead of treating Christmas like it’s your birthday (even if it is), I want to challenge you to focus on others: spend more time with your family and friends, enjoy the benefits of deep relationships, come to church, and give to others.  This year we have a couple ways that you can give to others and be the difference in someone’s life:

The Christmas Shop:  This year we will be partnering with over 20 families on December 7 at the Delhi Campus to give families the opportunity to shop for Christmas.  Not only are we in need of donations for the shop but we also need servants to help serve the day of the event.  We especially need personal shoppers (people to help families shop) and a couple of adults to help with children’s activities.  We will have activities for the children while parents shop.  In addition to shopping, families will enjoy a meal and be invited to attend Saturday Night Worship!  

Imagine No Malaria:  United Methodists world-wide are participating in this campaign to eradicate Malaria.  Over the next three years, Shiloh will be saving lives through something as simple as mosquito netting and medication.  We urge you to give generously to the Imagine No Malaria campaign because each contribution literally saves lives.  We will be taking donations to Imagine No Malaria through Christmas Eve.  So write a check to Shiloh United Methodist Church and write in the memo Imagine No Malaria or go to our website: www.shilohumc.com and click on the WeShare icon to give to the campaign online.   

Christmas is not our birthday!  So let’s not focus on the chaos of overspending, but rather let’s invest our time and our resources on things that really make a difference in our lives and the lives of others.  Be the difference!  

On mission with you, 

Pastor Rachel   

We Can Do It

In 1993, while in Washington DC, I purchased a t-shirt that really became my mantra for life, "We Can Do It!"  It was a replica of a World War II propaganda poster encouraging women who were part of the ever-growing workforce to support the war. This J. Howard Miller original reminds me of the strength and determination of many of the women in my life.   Many of those women of strength have been women in the church and particularly United Methodist Women.    For 150 years, the United Methodist Women have been “fostering spiritual growth, developing leaders and advocating for justice.”  In other words, these women are serious about mission!  They have dedicated themselves to fighting for the causes of women, children, and orphans throughout the world!  Every UMW event is focused on raising funds for mission!  In October, with our Rummage Sale, $2340 was raised for mission.  And just last week 56 vendors gathered for the annual Christmas Boutique.  In December, the UMW will have their annual Christmas Dinner, Thursday, December 5, at The Meadows.    ALL of the women in the church are invited to be a part of this year's Christmas Dinner.   Our United Methodist Women are hard at work dedicating themselves to the cause of Jesus Christ!  If you are interested in becoming a part of the United Methodist Women, please contact UMW President Janet Klem at 251-5015.   The UMW is a legacy of Christ-centered strength!  

We Can Do It, 

Pastor Rachel  

Why School Changed My Life

Dear Educators, Teachers, Administrators, School Staff, and Coaches:

Maybe I didn’t walk your halls, perhaps you never taught me to read, maybe you didn’t have to pick up the mess I left in the cafeteria, or even discipline me when I got rowdy riding the school bus, but someone just like you did. I spent my educational years being encouraged, mentored, and taught by the best. Some teachers, others administrator, still others school staff and coaches. These men and women invested in me, and I recognize just how their words of encouragement changed my life. Miss Hilbert ignited in me a love for writing, Mrs. Maxson a love for teaching, Mr. Woodward a passion for History, Mrs. Morris the belief that I could achieve anything, Mrs. Cunningham a desire for creativity, Mr. Saxton a dream for my future, and many many more. I grew up in place once described to me as “a thin slice of life.” Opportunities didn’t necessarily abound, and yet from a very early age I understood that education mattered. Why? Because it mattered to you! You planted within my heart a desire to learn. With your passion and dedication to the art of learning, you ignited within me a flame that has never died. Although it’s been years since I’ve walked through the halls of a primary or secondary school, I never stopped learning. Learning was the one way, the one avenue I had to experience transformation in my life. God’s dream for my life could be fulfilled because of the doors that were opened to me through a love for learning. That love for learning was planted by you, or at least in me by people like you. I imagine that you have kids in your classrooms, kids roaming your halls, kids sitting in your cafeteria with dreams for their lives, and you hold within your hand the key to their future. You can unlock within them a love for learning. But we have to do our part. This week, those living within the Oak Hills School District will be voting on a levy. As a parent of an Oak Hills student I can’t help but think about how important you are in her life, and how important you will be in the lives of her brothers. I think about how education has changed since I started school over 25 years ago-the pressure, the testing, the expectations, the requirements. Things are different and yet even though education has changed, your influence over the lives of young people hasn’t. You can change lives. I am praying for you this week, and I am encouraging my church family to pray for you as well. We are praying that as people vote they too think about the future of our community and the dreams of our children. I know it’s a lot of pressure being an educator-holding within your hands the future of a new generation, but I suspect you are up for the challenge. I thank you for your passion, I thank you for your patience, and I thank you for changing the lives of student’s just like me.

 Praying for you,



 Rev. Rachel Billups

Making Commitments

This week in preparation for the wedding of Grace McBrayer and Kevin Kaufman I’ve been thinking a lot about commitments.  Decision are easy--simple yes,simple no-- but commitments are the kind of decisions that can leave you full of joy or sick to your stomach.  Commitments bind us, obligate us, and challenge us to look beyond ourselves to the person or thing we have made our commitment.  There is a degree of selflessness woven into our understanding of commitment that requires us to get over ourselves and focus on the other.  

Certainly this is true of marriage, but it is also true of our commitment to Jesus Christ.  When we commit our lives to Jesus we are saying “I do;” we become the ‘bride‘ of Christ!  Now we are bond to Jesus and that commitment changes everything.  Last weekend we asked each one of you to consider committing to Jesus Christ through both financial and service commitments to Shiloh.  I’ve been praying for each one of you that you would not do more or less than what God is calling you to do.  I want to thank each and everyone of you who have already made your commitments.  But I also what to give you another opportunity to commit to Jesus and the church-membership.  

Here at Shiloh we don’t require membership.  You certainly can fully participate in the life of Shiloh without being a member, but membership gives you the opportunity to make a commitment to Jesus and God’s vision for Shiloh.  Throughout the month of November we will have a couple of opportunities for you to take membership classes.  On Sunday November 10 at 12:30-3:30 at Shiloh@ Price Hill and Sunday November 17 at 12:30-3:30pm at Delhi  we will be hosting intensive membership classes.  You can attend either session no matter what location you call your church home.  Remember we are one church two locations.  If you are in need of child care please contact Sandy in the church office at 513-451-3600 #101.  Lunch will be provided.    We encourage everyone who is interested in membership to take a membership class, even if you decide not to become a member.  

‘Tis the season for commitments and I am praying for each and everyone of you as you fulfill your commitments to Jesus and to one another.  

On Mission with you, 

Pastor Rachel      

Who Me?

This week I spent some time speaking truth into my children.  Sometimes as a parent I forget the power of my words and their influence in my kids lives.  As I was talking to Christopher aka Topher I began speaking into his ear the vision I believe God has for his life.  “Topher,” I said, “you are going to be a man of God.  Jesus has claimed you as his own.  God has incredible plans for you to change this world for Jesus Christ.”  I continued with my words of encouragement, but what surprised me was Topher’s reaction.  Embarrassed by my praise, Topher turned to me replied, “Who Me?”  “Mom, are you talking about me?”  

There are moments in our lives where we doubt ourselves, moments when we doubt what others say about us, and even moments when we doubt God’s claim on our lives.  We are beloved children of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!  But sometimes when we hear words of encouragement; when we hear words of praise, we like Topher ask the question “Who Me?”  Who am I?  What does God want with me?  I can’t help but think that is how those first disciples felt as Jesus called them to “Come follow me.”  I can imagine them saying to themselves, “Who Me?”  Yes You!  But not just those first disciples-you!  God is calling you!  God has filled you with an incredible passion and purpose and God wants to see you live it out!  

This week we are focusing on our passions and purpose.  We are going to make commitments to God-both financial commitments and servant commitments.  You don’t have to know exactly what you want to do, but just know the area of ministry you would like to serve in and designate that on your commitment card.  You can also make a financial contribution (pledge) on those cards as well and then bring them to worship with you on Saturday Night and Sunday Morning.  

You are a man of God-you are a woman of God!  God has an incredible purpose for you life!  That purpose is to radically transform this community, city, nation, and world for Jesus Christ!  I can’t wait to see how God uses you and Topher to change the world!  

On mission with you, 

Pastor Rachel 

The Power of One

With every person I encounter through the week, every person who comes to worship on the weekend, every child that races by me in the hallway-I am reminded of the power of one.  One person matters.  One person matters to God.  One person matters to us.  Why?  Jesus believed in the power of one.  In Luke 15, Jesus tells three stories about lost things: sheep, coins, and brothers.  In the story about the sheep, Jesus gave the religious people a hypothetical situation, “Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue” (Luke 15: 4-7, The Message).  One person matters!  During last week’s Kingdom Investor Meeting, we reclaimed the power of one, realizing that each one of us is called to reach one for Jesus Christ!  We are claiming our Community and the City of Cincinnati for Jesus.  For those of you who missed the Kingdom Investors Meeting, here are some of the highlights:

 

• Price Hill- We are one church two locations!  The Church is growing in Price Hill with over 50 people worshipping on Sunday Mornings and 40 plus at Midweek.  We recently hosted a Harvest Festival and plan on having Trunk-or-Treat on October 30 at 6pm!  Pastor Dorian shared the need for servants in Children’s Ministry and Hospitality.  
• Parking Lot- The Trustees have been working hard to see the Parking Lot project completed before years end.  Destruction started this morning and construction should begin soon.  We are still in need of about $25,000 to complete the project. 
• Care & Connection- I shared our concern for people who have been here a while as well as those new to the church being cared for and staying connected.  Not only do we have plans for a team of people to help in the continued care of our congregation, but also for a follow up system of people coming into the church.
• Communication- Communication is always a work in progress.  We have worked to improve areas of communication and continue to adjust as we hear need throughout the congregation. One major area of focus is the website!   
• Family Ministry- Pastor Brent shared the incredibly exciting movement happening in children’s, student, and college ministry.  

These are just a few of the highlights from our Kingdom Investor’s Meeting!  You may ask, why do we do these kinds of things?  We do them for the one that God is calling us to reach, to serve, and to love.  Next weekend, October 26/27, we will be collecting commitment cards.  This is the time of the year that we make both financial and service commitments to Shiloh so that we can reach the one with God’s love.  I want to challenge you to pray this week, asking God where you are called to serve in this church, community, city, nation, and world.  One life changed for Jesus Christ has the power to change the world!

On mission with you

Pastor Rachel 

Sometimes I Need Some Jesus In My Life

“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there’s just something about that name....” In 1970, when Bill and Gloria Gaither penned the words to this chorus, they wanted everyone to have a little more Jesus in their lives.  Hopefully in the church we can agree that to be filled with more Jesus is a really good thing, but sometimes we forget that Jesus is a part of the Christian faith-the central part of the Christian faith.  I have to admit I have what scholars would tell you is a “high Christology.”  That means Jesus is really important in how I understand life lived as a Christian.  As an evangelical Christian, I would even talk about having a relationship with Jesus, so you can imagine that I am elated that on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 we will begin reading The New Testament and learn about the life of Jesus and those first Jesus followers.  And I’ve got to tell you, I need some Jesus!  After months of the Old Testament-incredibly beautiful, but at times repetitive-it’s time for a little Jesus!  So if you haven’t started reading yet I want to challenge you to pick up a Bible Reading Plan from the Office or Gathering Space and begin next Wednesday with Matthew 1-4.  

Jesus changed my life!  I can honestly say that when I read about the life of Jesus and the people he encountered it changes my life!  So I want to encourage you if you’ve never read the New Testament or it’s been a while, to pick up your Bibles and begin reading on Wednesday.  Sometimes we just need some Jesus in our lives!  

Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel   

Multigenerational Ministry

While gathered for life group, we began to talk about the importance of multigenerational ministry.  Ministry that incorporates people of all ages.  Perhaps more than anytime in our recent  cultural history, our kids and teens are less and less exposed to the wisdom of their elders.  Although we could come up with a few places where children and adults work together, the place that maximizes multigenerational ministry is the church.  We are it!  What an opportunity!  What a challenge!  Just because we have people of a variety of ages in the same building, doesn't mean we can claim multigenerational ministry.  There is intentionality inherent in thriving multigenerational ministry!  Over the course of the next few months we are going to see some of these opprotunities:

Price Hill- Trunk or Treat on Wednesday, October 30, at 6pm.  This is an incredible way for us to meet our neighbors and build relationships with people of all ages.  Contact Pastor Dorian Daniels for more information: dorian@shilohumc.com or 451-3600 #200.

Delhi- Upward Basketball starting January 2014.  Upward is sports, but sports with a message.  Basketball and the relationships built through teaching this team sport create an opportunity for us to share the gospel to kids and their families.  It takes the entire church to put on this program-prayer servants, coaches, referees, and many more.  If you are interested contact Kathy Shea at kathy@shilohumc.com or 451-3600 #102. 

These are just a couple of the ways we like to build relationships.  There are many more!  Building relationship is what the church is all about!  Why?  Because we were created to be in relationship with God and relationship with one another-no matter what our age.   We are in this together!

Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel 

Do you see what God sees?

Over the weekend we asked ourselves the questions, “Do I have a vision for my life?  Can I see what God sees?”  It’s not always easy to see what God sees.  God doesn’t post God’s visions on You Tube or mail us a DVD.  Visions can’t be conjured up and we can’t manipulate God into giving us a vision.  We have to pray and actively wait for God’s vision for our future.  And so that’s what I am doing this week, praying and actively waiting for God’s vision for my life and the life of Shiloh.  But sometimes in order to pray, listen and actively wait, I have to change locations.  I’m writing this blog in the mountain community of Candler, just outside of Asheville, North Carolina.  It may sound odd but when I am in the mountains, especially in the woods I feel closer to God.  One of the active prayers that I am praying is “Lord, break my heart for the things that break yours.”  You may remember this prayer from Bob Pierce, founder of the World Vision Organization.  We prayed this prayer when we read Richard Stearn’s book Hole in Our Gospel.  It’s a visionary prayer that reminds us that God is the Lord of all-the whole earth-the entire globe.  There are things that are happening in our communities, city, nation, and world that break God’s heart-and that should break our hearts as well.  This is not a plea to God to make us weepy all the time.  No!  This is a prayer that asks God to change our vision-open our eyes-and to focus on the purpose and plan God has for our lives.  

We want to stay focused on the vision that God has placed on Shiloh to claim our community and the city of Cincinnati for Jesus Christ!   Next week we will be gathering for our annual Kingdom Investor’s Meeting: Sunday, October 6 after 11am worship at the Delhi Campus. This meeting is a great opportunity for us to ask ourselves the question, “Do we see what God sees?  Are we living out God’s vision?”  We need your input, your voice matters, and we ask that you participate in shaping the future vision of Shiloh United Methodist Church by attending this meeting.  

God’s vision isn’t just planted in the heart of one person, it’s ignited in the hearts of many.  So come let’s see what God is doing together!

Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel 

What's Happening in Price Hill?

It was only a year ago that the boarded-up church that sat on the corner of Elberon and Phillips Avenue become a campus of Shiloh United Methodist Church.  We are one church in two locations.  But even though we are one church, there are times when people wonder, “What is happening at Price Hill?”  We are claiming our community and city through the incredible things that are happening at Price Hill.  It all begins with worship. Numerous people gather both on Wednesday Nights for Meal, Message and Music at 6pm and Sunday Worship Celebration at 11am to praise God and be fueled for the week.  The first annual Harvest Festival was held last Sunday after church-not only did 70 people gather for worship, but 150 people participated in the family festivities and fun!  Just last month the staff gathered at Price Hill for a prayer walk inside church and outside into the community.  As we viewed the city from Mt. Echo Park and prayed in strategic places, we realized God’s incredible vision for rebuilding, restoring, and renewing this city!  

In terms of service- the second Saturday of every month, church folks are gathering to collect trash in the neighborhood; but picking up trash is not just about taking pride in the neighborhood. It’s also about meeting our neighbors.  One of the greatest needs in the Price Hill community is education.   Dorian, the members of the Price Hill core team, and our Preschool Director, Aimee McBride, are working to start a Preschool and Day Care Program in Price Hill.  We are also looking into GED programs for adults.  BLOC ministries continues to offer an after school program and we are frequently being approached by the community and even other churches to form partnerships to claim the community for Jesus Christ!  

Some of the up-and-coming events at Price Hill include Trunk or Treat on Wednesday, October 30, at 6pm  and a Thanksgiving Holiday meal on Sunday, November 24.  

God is on the move in Price Hill, and as the ministry grows so does the need.  We are always in need of people to serve in ministry at Price Hill, so if you have felt the Holy Spirit calling you to serve in ministry at Price Hill please don’t hesitate to contact me or Pastor Dorian, dorian@shilohumc.com.       

Blessings 

Pastor Rachel 

Fall Kick-Off

I love this time of year!  Kids are back to school, the college football season has started, and every time I feel the hot dry air of September I am reminded of cross country races!   There is just something almost spiritual about the fall in the Billups’ household.  Of course when a cross country runner marries a football player, the fall is bound to have significance in our lives.  But there is more than one kick-off we can anticipate in the fall.  Beyond our love for football, the fall is a time to kick-off ministry here at Shiloh.  There are all kinds of ministries being kicked off this week.  

Saturday Night Worship- This Saturday Night, September 14, following the Saturday Night Service  (5:30pm), we will be having a cookout!  It’s a great opportunity to get a free meal and connect with one another!  
Price Hill Kick-Off- Sunday following the 11am service at Price Hill there will be a Harvest Celebration.  Come to the Price Hill campus and check it out!  

Parent Orientation- Sunday, September 15, at 5pm, our Student and Children’s Ministry is hosting a free dinner orientation for parents who have students in 3rd through 12th grade.  

SURGE/DRIVE Youth Group- Grades 6th-12th will gather September 15 from 6-7:30pm for fun, study, and fellowship.

SEEKERS Kick-Off also begins September 15 at 6-7:30pm and includes students 3rd-5th grade.  

Mid-Week Bible Study is back on Thursday, September 19 at 7pm in the Sanctuary.  If you want to know more about the Bible, come and check out Mid-week.  

So whether you’re a student or parent, new to Shiloh or been here a while, I encourage you to kick the fall off right and participate in these fall discipleship opportunities!  

Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel 

What Resolution?

It’s been a while since January!  Although I find myself dreaming of January  temperatures, it’s hard to remember all of the things that I resolved to do on January 1, 2013: get in better shape, drink 8 glasses of water a day, read 25 books, and the list goes on and on.  Perhaps one of the most challenging items on my list was something that we resolved to do together-read the Bible in a Year!  Now many of us are still reading, others have found themselves falling behind, and others have given up all together.  But just like moving toward improved health, it’s never to late to start!  Even if you haven’t been reading your Bible, even if you are REALLY behind, I want to challenge you to begin again.  Don’t feel like you have to start over, just begin were you are.  Right now we are reading in the book of Jeremiah.  Jeremiah is one of the major prophets in the Old Testament and has some really tough stuff that he has to say to God’s people.  It’s interesting!  Soon we will start Mid-Week Bible Study- Thursday, September 19 at 7pm.   We will gather in the sanctuary to learn more about Jeremiah and many other Old Testament Prophets, and then on to the New Testament!  If you haven’t been to Mid-Week you should check it out.  It’s a great way to learn more about the Bible: 40 minutes of teaching and 15 minutes of questions and answers.  Life groups will be begin again and our Disciple I Bible study will be finishing up in October and another Disciple Bible Study will be offered in January 2014.   So pick up your Bible, grab a Bible Reading Plan (there are copies in the Gathering Space or in the Church Office), and recommit to that New Year’s Resolution that may seem like a distant memory.  The Year’s not over!  It’s not to late to have some victory!  Church, reading and reflecting on God’s word has the power to change our lives!  

Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel   

Back to School

Many of us remember the anxiety we felt as we anticipated that first day of school.  From butterflies in the stomach to pure dread, you could say that the years brought forth a mixture of emotions.  What if my friends weren’t in my class?  What if I couldn’t handle this semesters schedule?  What if I forgot to bring my lunch?  These questions and many more filled our minds.  But it seems there are a new set of questions-some involving security, some involving curriculum, and even some the future of education in the U.S.   Perhaps that’s a parent’s perspective.  But whether you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or a concerned citizen, we realize that education is important!  Education shapes our perspective, our worldview, and it gives us a hope for future.  With the return of school I can’t help but think about the future.  The future that teachers, administrators, school board members, mentors, parents, and leaders are investing in--our kids!  It’s also our job as the church to invest in these future generations.  One of the ways that we have committed to investing in our kids is to pray for them.  From prayer during Vacation Bible School to the start of the school year, we want to pray for our kids!   So, on weekend of September 7th & 8th we will be praying over our kids and this 2013-2014 school year.  It’s the blessing of the backpacks.  We want to encourage your kids to bring their backpacks to one of our weekend services: Saturday Night at 5:30pm, Sunday at 9:30am or 11:00am.  Yes, we will bless the backpacks, but more than just blessing the backpacks, we will be praying over our kids.  Prayers for their safety, prayers for focus, and prayers for an incredible school year.  This is a great way to get this school year started!  So come to worship on the weekend of September 7th & 8th and invest in future generations!  

Blessings 

Pastor Rachel 

The Bigger Picture

Sometimes it’s easy to get so focused on our own lives, our own stuff, and even our own drama that we miss the bigger picture.  We are part of something larger than ourselves.  The same kind of self-focus is true for the church.  It’s easy to get so wrapped up in what God is doing in a single location and forget God’s work throughout our community, city, nation, and world.  You may not realize it, but as a United Methodist Church we are part of a larger network of churches (over 8 million people) throughout the world!  United Methodism is our brand, it’s the branch of the movement of Jesus Christ that we are a part of, and although there is a lot of diversity throughout the world when it comes to Methodism, it’s part of our bigger picture.  

Since Methodism shapes who we are, it’s important to know a few things about this network of churches.  For example, Did you know we are part of The West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church?  Geographically The West Ohio Conference makes up 58 of the 88 counties in Ohio; it includes Cincinnati, Columbus, Toledo, Dayton, and Marietta, and incorporates nearly 1100 churches!  Within the West Ohio Conference there are 8 districts and we are a part of the Ohio River Valley District.   United Methodist churches in Hamilton, Warren, Clinton, Clermont, and Butler Counties come together to form the Ohio River Valley District.  We certainly are not alone in claiming our community and the city of Cincinnati for Jesus Christ!  

Since we are connected, it’s important to name and see this part of our bigger picture.  How do we see it?  Next weekend we will have the honor of meeting our new Assistant District Superintendent, Reverend Doug Johns. Rev. Johns will be preaching on Saturday Night, August 24th at 5:30pm and Sunday, August 25th at 9:30am & 11:00am.  It’s a great opportunity for us to welcome Rev. Johns and to catch a glimpse of our bigger picture! 

We are United Methodists.  It’s our brand, our movement, and our part of the larger body of Christ.  Church, that’s the whole picture- all of us together no matter what church we come from- we are all part of the body of Jesus Christ!  

Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel 

   

We Are Family

We Are Family

In 1979 Sister Sledge released the hit dance song, “We are Family.”  This catchy tune is a reminder that family is more than just biology, it’s more than the people that share your DNA, family is a reality that crosses social, economic, and political structures.  Family is such a strong word that drums within us emotional responses.  Sometimes when we think of family our hearts are flooded with joy-filled memories and then there are moments where the term family tears open a wound.  Family is complicated, but one of the greatest realities of the word “family” is a spiritual one.  From the Old Testament to the New, we Christians embrace our identity as members of the family of God.  We are family.  Perhaps one of the most profound examples of being family is the early church.  As people started following Jesus a new family reality began to emerge.  A reality where widows were taken care of, children that were abandoned adopted in, and the poor and powerless embraced.  No longer were religious people concerned with DNA and biology, now they embraced a family marked by the waters of baptism.  Baptism, not biology became the marker of what it meant to be part of the family of God.

This week as I have embraced the newest member of the Billups’ family, I am reminded of just how awesome and powerful it is to be part of the family of God.  Throughout this week, not only have I received hundreds of messages through cards, Facebook, email, and text, but also I have felt the prayers of my family.  It is incredible to be a part of the family of God right here at Shiloh Church!  Jon and I are grateful for your love and support during this time of new life in our lives!  And I am also incredibly grateful for the leadership of Shiloh Church, both our staff and also our lay leaders.  Everyday I am reminded of the gifts and passion of Pastor Brent, Pastor Danny, and Pastor Dorian and how they are giving their all to gift me with this time away.  As family I want you to know that I am praying for you daily and I ask you to pray for me, Jon, Adeline, Christopher, and Baby David.  We will need all the prayers you can send our way.  

Shiloh, we are family!  I thank God that I have such an incredible family at Shiloh Church!  

Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel 

New Life

New Life is always something we marvel at: from the birth of new babies to the tree buds of spring.  New life fills us with wonder, anticipation and a sense of hope.  And even though our mornings of late feel more like fall than the heart of summer, new life is all around us: a new Shiloh campus in Price Hill, a regular stream of new faces in Delhi,  and even a new order of worship in all Delhi services!  This weekend we will have passed out 800 back packs at Shiloh Fest to families eager to prepare for this new school year.  Our building will be full to over flowing with people looking to the future in the faces of their children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.  It’s an awesome experience!  But Shiloh Fest isn’t just about the back packs, it’s about relationships.  We want to build relationship with people in our community, people in our church, and ultimately we want our relationships to point people to a relationship with Jesus Christ! We want people to experience the new life that only comes from Jesus!  Whether you’ve been a Shiloh for a while, or you are brand new, a relationship with Jesus can bring a renewed hope to our lives every single day.  And we need it!  We need that regular reminder that new life is possible, that abundant life is possible!   In John 10:10, Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and have it to the full.”  Jesus wants us to live and I mean really live.  No matter what we are experiencing in our everyday lives, Jesus can bring a hope, a refreshment, and a renewal that will open our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls to the new life all around us!  He is making all things new!  

Hopefully as you are reading this, I am celebrating new life!  Like the rest of my kids, David Isaiah Billups has decided to take a few extra days to hang out in the womb, but I know I will not be pregnant forever.  New life will happen!  Not only in my life, but also in yours.  Jesus has come to bring us life!

Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel 

Hurry Up and Wait

“Wait for the Lord;  be strong and take heart  and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27: 14 NIV).  

I’ve got to be honest, I hate to wait.  I’m not naturally a patient person.  I don’t like to wait in lines, I don’t like to wait for my Wifi to work, and I certainly am not found of waiting for big events to happen in my life.  So you can imagine that I am not doing a great job of waiting on the Lord these days.  As I write today’s blog I am 12 days and counting from my due date.  If the past is any indication of the future, I may have to wait a few extra days before I meet the child that has occupied my body over the last 9 months.  You could say, “it’s worth the wait.” True, but in the midst of being uncomfortable, anxious, and just in general as busy as I can possibly be, waiting is the last thing on my to do list.  

You might find yourself waiting.  Maybe it’s not a baby that you are waiting for.  Maybe it’s an answer, a decision, a job, or even a friend.  But a lot of life seems like a hurry up and wait.  If we don’t pay attention to the waiting, we will miss a lot.  In our “need for speed” sometimes we can fail to reflect, fail to enjoy, and fail to wait for the presence of the Lord in our lives.  Just as a new born baby is worth the wait, so is the presence of God.  God is worth the wait.  I wonder do you ever spend time waiting for the Lord.  Sitting in a quiet place: on a porch, in the woods, or even just at your kitchen table; quiet, listening, waiting on the Lord?  It’s not easy, especially for hurry up and wait people like me, but it makes all the difference.  It gives us time to breathe, it gives us time to reflect, it gives us time to live in the present moment.  

I may be in a hurry to have this baby but I don’t want to miss the opportunity to wait for God.  

Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel   

What does it mean to be ordained?

Throughout the last couple of weeks we have been talking about the next steps that our Associate Pastor and Director of Discipleship Ministries (birth-college age), Brent Dearnell, is taking toward becoming an ordained pastor in The United Methodist Church.  This Wednesday, July 17, at 7pm, we will be having a Charge Conference to confirm the SPPRC’s (Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee) decision to affirm Brent’s request to become a Certified Candidate for Ordained Ministry.  Now some of you might be asking yourselves what does all of this mean?  

In The United Methodist Church we have a process for everything so it shouldn’t be surprising to note that there is a lengthy process for ordaining pastors within our denomination.  It takes years--a call from God, an education (both college and graduate school), and prayerful discernment both on the part of the person who is called and the people that are affirming that calling.  So what are we doing on Wednesday Night?  We are affirming the call on Brent’s life.  We are asking ourselves the question, “Do we see the fruit of pastoral ministry in Brent Dearnell?”  Although the Leadership Council will be the group to take the official vote, if you would like to be a part of the conversation you are more than welcome to attend Wednesday Night’s Meeting in Class Room 1.  

This is an exciting time in Brent’s life.  Not only is he taking the next steps toward his call in ministry, but he is also growing as a spiritual leader here at Shiloh.  That’s why it’s without hesitation that I will be passing the baton of leadership to Brent while I’m on maternity leave.  In other words, Brent is in charge!  Don’t hesitate to contact Brent with any pastoral care concerns or ministry concerns you might have.  He can be contacted at brent@shilohumc.com or 513-451-3600 #106.  Please join with me in praying for Brent while he takes these next steps in his faith journey.  

As always pray for your pastors.  I need it, Brent, Danny, and Dorian need it.  It is truly an honor to serve Shiloh United Methodist Church.

Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel 

   

A Real Treasure Book

When I was growing up, I can remember a book that my mother kept by her night stand.  It was a cloth- bound, bright red book with very old images throughout it.  It looked kind of like an ancient treasure book- with it’s funny pictures and fancy lettering.   It wasn’t until I got older that I discovered that this mysterious treasure book was none other than an old book of Psalms.  One could say that the book of Psalms is a treasure book.  

The book of Psalms is the longest book in the Bible, and it contains the longest chapter of the Bible- Psalm 119.  Written over hundreds of years, many of it’s chapters are attributed to Bible giants like David and Moses.  It seems that the book of Psalms was written as a kind of hymn book (book of liturgies) purposed for worship, first in the Tabernacle and then in the Temple.  Most of the Psalms are set to song.  You may notice as you read through the book of Psalms headings that describe the type of instrument that would have been used for a particular psalm.  For example Psalm 5, “For the director of music.  For flutes. A psalm of David.”  For thousands of years people have been using the book of psalms as a song book for worship.  One of the founders of the Reformation movement in the 16th century, John Calvin believed the book of Psalms to be the perfect book of worship.  He wrote, “There is no other book in which we are more perfectly taught the right manner of praising God, or in which we are more powerfully stirred up to the performance of this exercise of piety.”   His beliefs on the book of Psalms lead some Protestant faith traditions to limit their hymn singing to the psalms.  Although we, as United Methodist, don’t limit our praise to the Psalms, many of the songs found in our hymn book and modern worship songs are inspired by or a direct quote of a psalm.  

But these scriptural treasures are not just songs of praise, they also include words of lament (passionate grief), prayers of confession, declarations of trust, and words of wisdom.  In essence it is a treasure book, a book filled with expressions of our deepest emotions, our frustrations, our victories, our hopes, and our dreams.  My mom still keeps that little cloth book on her self, she still reads from its pages, she still sings it’s songs, and she still prays it’s prayers.  Reading through and praying through the book of Psalms is a great way to connect to God.  So throughout the month of July I want to challenge you to read the book of Psalms and discover it's treasures for yourself! 

Blessings, 

Rachel   

A New Dream

Have you ever given up on a dream?  Have you said goodbye to something that you were hoping for but just never really panned out?  Has someone in your life died and when they died so did that dream?  Truth be told we’ve given up many dreams throughout our lifetimes. When I was a little girl I dreamed of being a country music star (remember I grew up in the heart of the Hocking Hills).  I would ride my bike throughout our “neighborhood” making up songs and dreaming of the day that I would sing in front of thousands of people.  But as I grew up and my fear of singing in front of people grew larger, I realized that dream would never be actualized-no Grand Ole Opry, no CMAs, no glitter and rhinestones- no country music superstar.  Many of us dream these kinds of dreams and whether you dreamed of the day when you would bat for the Reds or spend your Sunday afternoons returning kick-offs for the Bengals, those dreams come and go with little to no emotional damage.  But what about other dreams: relationships that never come to pass, careers that never come to fruition, children that die suddenly.  What about those dreams? 

This week we are continuing to read through the book of Job and Job begins and ends with dreams.  Both in the preface and epilogue of the book of Job we see dreams that die and dreams that are revived.  It’s interesting that Job (which some scholars believe to be the oldest book of the Bible) is so human, so emotional, so much like real life.  Job’s dreams are shattered when he loses not only his possessions, but especially his children.  I guarantee Job had dreams for each and every one of those 7 sons and 3 daughters.  Normal kind of parent dreams like having a career, family, and a future.  As a parent of soon to be 3 children, I dream of the day when my kids will graduate high school, college and even graduate school.  I notice special traits about them and wonder what career, what calling has God placed on their lives?  And so I can imagine Job dreamed incredible dreams for these kids.  So no wonder he collapsed when he found out that those dreams were smashed by the walls of the home of one of his children.  And frankly Job spends a lot of time questioning and wondering why those dreams have to die.  But God doesn’t leave Job dreamless.  No; by the end of the book, by the epilogue, God has given Job a set of dreams, a new life, a new career, and even, yes, a new family.  Do I believe for a second that Job forgot those old dreams?  No, but those old dreams didn’t keep Job from living out the new ones.  Sometimes we have to let go of old dreams to allow God to birth a new dream within our hearts, minds, and souls.  So I wonder, what new dreams is God birthing in you?  What dreams are you being asked to dream?           

What Did I Just Say?

Sometimes we find ourselves in places and spaces in life where frankly we are just at a loss for words.  Perhaps the most frequent of those moments is when people are experiencing tragedy in their lives.  From the sudden loss of a loved one to the announcement of a diagnosis, it’s difficult to know what to say and how to say it.  We may find ourselves fumbling over our words and leaving our friends and family thinking to ourselves, “what did I just say?”  “Did I really mean to say that?”  Most of the time we are looking to bring peace, comfort, and a little hope to their lives.  On a regular basis when I am talking to people going through tragedy I pray, “God help me to say what you want me to say or just keep my mouth shut.”  But for some reason when people are silent, we like to fill the silence with words.  That’s exactly what was happening in the book of Job.  Job is one of the most perplexing and yet profound books of the Bible.  Considered part of the Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament, much of Job reads like a beautiful yet complicated poem.  Woven within the poetry are “words of comfort” from three of Job’s friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar.  Although these words are meant to help Job in the middle of loosing all his family, all his property, and even his health, their words don’t seem very comforting or helpful.  Maybe it’s because they come off as theological platitudes rather than words of compassion or empathy.  Chapter after chapter Job is blasted for his depression, his defeat, his utter despair toward life and God.  And to the modern reader these friends don’t come off as friends at all.  They seem more like people obsessed with being “right” about their understanding of God and life, rather than comforting a friend who has experienced overwhelming tragedy.  And yet as we read further we will discover there are some truths about God in what Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar have to say.  There is the tension between the character of God and the comfort of Job.  It’s that tension that keeps us from quickly dismissing the words of Job’s friends but at the same time looking at Job with sincere compassion.  The story of Job is a complicated story, but one that really challenges our understanding of life, fairness, good, and bad.  Sometimes we live under this illusion that if we come to church, if we serve God, then our lives will be comfortable, easy, and successful.  But Job is an ever-present reminder that health, wealth and success are not the aims of a Christian life, rather we are called to love God and others as ourselves in the middle of all life circumstances-the good, the bad, and the just plain awful.  

As we experience the many ups and downs in life and as we bring comfort to our family and friends, let’s always remember we don’t have to defend God.  We don’t have to speak on God’s behalf.  All we really need to be is present.  And our presence is enough.  Will there be moments when we think to ourselves, “Did I really just say that?”  absolutely, but that doesn’t mean we stop trying to bring comfort to people who need a healing touch.  

Blessings

Pastor Rachel