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Advent Musings Week 1

Hello Out There!!   It has been well over a year since I've contributed anything to this blog, as I originally used it to post sermons and random musings.  Of course, very little stays the same and as we begin the season of Advent, or the four weeks preceding Christmas, there's no time like now to start writing again. Some of the inspiration to do so is one of my aunts in Wisconsin who has been writing a monthly essay for her church's newsletter about life and faith, and is oftentimes thought-provoking.  When I was in the last semester of seminary, during the season of Lent, I fasted from social media and wrote some reflections in this blog, so this Advent, I am taking a fast from Facebook and hoping to write a musing each week of Advent, and perhaps beyond.  I have to admit the holidays are always a mixed bag for me, as I have had a love-hate-love relationship with them.  Having grown up around the grocery business and working nine years in it myself, the time from Hallowe

Geared Up for Life: A Life Worthy

  Foothills UMC “Geared Up for Life: A Life Worthy” Rev. Andrew Davis August 1, 2021 Ephesians 4: 1-16            How many of you like getting gifts?  I know I do and once again, I appreciate all the wonderful gifts of food, gift cards, and the gift of being able to serve here at Foothills UMC.  Even though we are facing another challenging time by putting our masks back on and seeing an uptick in cases of COVID-19, we still live a life worthy of God’s calling and a time to be gentle, humble, and patient as hard as that can be right now and in light of taking a slight step backward.  Our series right now couldn’t be more fitting given the difficulties of this world, which is where our text really comes to light this morning.            In our series, “Geared Up for Life,” which is working through the letter to the Ephesians, we come to the halfway point of Ephesians where Paul is talking about how to live a life worthy by using and living into the gifts we have from God by bringing all

Geared up for Life: Rooted & Grounded in Love

  Foothills UMC, Rescue “Geared up for Life: Rooted & Grounded in Love” Rev. Andrew Davis July 25, 2021 Ephesians 3: 14-21            A lesson I always learn in life is how nothing ever stays the same which has been the case not only last year, but this last week.  One of the possibilities that the COVID-19 pandemic showed us is how to be flexible and adaptable is being able to work remotely, which I have learned to make the most of.  My parents took a trip to Santa Barbara earlier in the week to visit my sister and her family and have some time with their grandson/my nephew, while Trevor and I watched the cats, garden, and house.  Instead of commuting both ways, we were able to work from my parent’s house which was nice to be at again.  It’s always interesting returning to where you grew up, as nothing is ever the same and am happy that my parents now have air conditioning, making these long, hot days more bearable, considering I didn’t have air conditioning for 18 years of my lif

Geared Up for Life: He is our Peace

  Foothills UMC “Geared Up for Life: He is our Peace” Rev. Andrew Davis Ephesians 2: 11-22 July 18, 2021            It’s hard to believe how fast these first three weeks have flown by!!  Time flies when you’re having fun and so far, things have gone pretty smoothly.  I think the most energizing part this week has been meeting a number of you during my weekly coffice hours and I hope to connect with more of you this week.  It was also wonderful to connect with several who worship with us online.  We have indeed created some new spaces beyond our building, and I look forward to making even more connections as we continue getting to know each other.          Continuing our series “Geared up for Life,” we are working through the letter to the Ephesians while thinking about what it means to actively live our faith.  Just as we talked about setting our hope in Christ last week, today’s buzzword from the letter to the Ephesians is peace, as Jesus is one who can bring peace and tear down walls

Geared Up for Life: Setting our Hope, Sermon July 11, 2021

  Foothills UMC, Cameron Park/Rescue “Geared Up for Life: Setting Our Hope” Ephesians 1: 3-14 Rev. Andrew Davis July 11, 2021            What a wonderful weekend last weekend was as we celebrated Independence Day and our new beginning together.  I cannot begin to say thank you enough to everyone who has made Trevor and I feel welcome here at Foothills UMC.  This first full week together has been no exception.  It has been nice getting a chance to know many of you via email, phone, or in joining me for coffee at Cameron Park Coffee & Deli on Tuesday (which I will be doing every Tuesday) or swinging by the office to say hi.  I continue to thank all of you who have made recommendations of places to eat or have coffee at, as going out to these places is one of the ways I do ministry and go into the world, and witness to the community around us.            As we talked about going into the world in the same way Jesus sent the disciples out last week, today and throughout the rest of the

"A Day of New Beginnings" - Sermon, July 4, 2021 (First at Foothills UMC, Cameron Park/Rescue)

  Foothills UMC “A Day of New Beginnings” Rev. Andrew Davis July 4, 2021 Mark 6: 1-13            I don’t know about you, but today feels a lot like the first day of school.  I remember growing up how summer break would begin and before we knew it, the end of August would be here and school would be starting up again, usually the after Labor Day at that time.  Leading up to the first day of school was a sense of anticipation, along with a few nerves, and all the questions; will I like the teacher(s)?  Will I like my classmates?  How much will my teacher ask of me?  Luckily in elementary school, we knew most of our teachers pretty well and had similar classmates, while the transitions into junior high, high school, college, and eventually seminary all had those similar feelings.  I think it’s safe to say that all of us have been anticipating and building up to today these last few months since Pastor Mike’s new appointment as special assistant to Bishop Carca ñ o was announced in Februar

Pastoral Letter to the Congregation

  November 11, 2020   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? (Micah 6:8, NRSV)   Dear Members & Friends of Community United Methodist Church, Quincy:   Grace, Mercy, & Peace to You and a word of thanks to all of our veterans who have served our country over the years on this Veteran’s Day!!  I write to you after a restful, renewing, and relaxing trip to the coast and wish to thank Sandra and Judy for holding down the fort at the office and for Pastor Ray for his message on our worship video last weekend, and everyone who has helped us in our online services.  I am writing this pastoral letter to share a few thoughts regarding the presidential election last week and where we stand in regard to re-launching in-person worship.   This past year leading up to the election has been quite contentious.  It is hard not to see that political tensions and division