Submitted by Pastor Bruce Jeffries, Watson and Rock Port UMC

I write this just coming off the weekend that included Old Fashioned Saturday Night. This event always amazes me because of several reasons: Every generation is represented. I saw folks with babies just a few weeks old along with parents and grandparents (maybe even great-grandparents). People standing in line for food or games, or sitting at one of the picnic tables, talked with each other. There was a variety of foods that could support any taste palate (except maybe vegan).
For a few hours, the community came together to support organizations and community projects, and have fun. There was a lot of planning that went into this event: recruiting and communicating needs and possibilities, marketing, set-up, and clean-up. The weather was beautiful, and we can thank God for that! For those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, I say “Thank You!”
Old Fashioned Saturday Night is unique to Rock Port. In just a few short hours the community comes together and celebrates our life together until next year’s event. I know there are always a few folks who don’t like crowds, who resent spending money to support organizations of the community. These folks are a minority, and there’s not much that can be done to influence them to do otherwise. Yet, would it be possible to sustain this energy, this community spirit for more than a few hours once a year?
I’ve started a Bible Study at Watson over some of the Pastoral Epistles, specifically James and 1 & 2 Peter. While we have some clues about the audience of these letters, for the most part, these could apply to every place where the church exists. They are probably being addressed to groups who were being persecuted, but much of what is shared here challenges Christians of every time and place. These practices might help us to create the kind of excitement that OFSN offers on a long-term basis. Every quote I use here is from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, and I will limit my quotations to the Letter of James:
• Because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; 4and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:3-4)
• Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)
• You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; (James 1:19)
• Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:27)
• My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? (James 2:1)
• So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. (James 2:17)
• Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. (James 3:13)
• Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. 14Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:13-14)
Certainly there are many more gems of wisdom and practice available to us in James, but what I’ve offered above, if practiced, may help our community be a truly open to the kind of transformation that moves beyond a few hours in September, but gets expressed in all times. Let me know what you think by Emailing me at rpumc@rpt.coop.