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Showing posts from September, 2018

"Harvest: Trees & Fruit" from "Season of Creation," sermon September 23, 2018

Community UMC, Quincy “Season of Creation – Harvest: Trees & Fruit” Rev. Andrew Davis September 23, 2018 Psalm 1 One of the many wonders about living here in Quincy is that we live among many trees.   How many varieties of trees can you name that are around us?   <Pause for answers>             Of course, this is the time of year that I love the most, as we see the brilliant shades of gold, red, and orange beginning to appear on the tress around us.   During my first Fall in Washington, DC and when I began my time as director of music at Hope Presbyterian Church, I had never seen brilliant colors like I did back East that first Fall, which made the 45-minute to hour-long drive to Mitchellville more beautiful, especially once I learned some of the back roads and how to bypass the DC Beltway.   Being from Sacramento, I’m used to summer lingering well into October and even warm Novembers, so it was a treat having a real Fall, complete with the brillia

"Sky - Dominion & Exploitation" from "Season of Creation," Sermon, September 16, 2018

Community UMC, Quincy “Season of Creation: Sky – Dominion & Exploitation” Rev. Andrew Davis September 16, 2018 Psalm 19             When I look at the words of our Psalm this morning, the tune “the Heavens are telling, the glory of God” by the classical composer, Franz Joseph Haydn immediately come to mind.   I did ask about the choir singing it this morning, although that’s one piece that requires some extensive rehearsal, considering the choir only began rehearsing a few weeks ago.   Nevertheless, we will have the choir back next Sunday and it will be nice to hear their voices once again.   When it comes to Psalm 19 and music, even Beethoven and Handel have used this psalm in choral settings, which goes to show the power of word and song, the same way I get a sense of awe by just looking at the vastness of the sky.               Last week, we began our series, “Season of Creation” and began with talking about good beginnings, as we reflected on Genesis 1 and part

Planting & Mountain Sunday: "Good Beginnings, Protection, and Care" - Sermon, September 9, 2018

Community UMC, Quincy “Good Beginnings, Protection, & Care” from Season of Creation Rev. Andrew Davis September 9, 2018 Song of Songs 2: 8-13 Psalm 125         Here we are, one week into the Fall season now that Labor Day has come and gone, ending one season and beginning a new season.   As I’ve walked through the neighborhood here down Jackson Street this past week, I see beginnings of Fall around us, as trees are starting to display a few red or gold leaves and feel it with the cooler nights.   It’s not going to be long before the American Valley is awash in brilliant reds, oranges, and golds, one of the many things I love about Fall.               As we get back into the rhythm of life here in the church after the slower pace of summer, we begin a new series, the “Season of Creation.” What is the “Season of Creation” all about? The Season of Creation is an ecumenical observance during the month of September begun by a Lutheran pastor in Australia in 2000 and

"Just Do It!" - Sermon, Sermon from September 2, 2018

Americana Bluegrass Festival, Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds “Just Do It!” Rev. Andrew Davis, Community UMC, Quincy September 2, 2018 James 1: 17-27             Being a child of the media and into pop culture, one of the more endearing slogans of our time that I can remember is Nike’s “Just Do It!” Although I haven’t seen Nike’s slogan as much in print, on television, the internet, or radio lately, the words of “Just Do It!” were a call to go out and do our best in everything we do.   Go out and do your best whether you’re climbing a mountain, running a race or marathon, riding your bike, even playing music, writing a novel, and so on and so forth.   Just do, and be your best!!   When I was working in the concessions at Raley Field and then in my nine years at Raley’s, self-confidence was not always my strongest gift, yet I would get this reminder quite frequently from friends or family to just do it…just do your best, even though it may not always be the best in othe