1

New Horizon Church June 2020

NEW HORIZON NEWS A UNITED METHODIST CONGREGATION

CAN WE MAKE BLACK LIVES

THE PRIORITY NOW?

The Lord God has told us what is right and what he demands: “See that justice is

done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.” — Micah 6:8 (CEV)

When you hear the words, “Black Lives Matter”, what comes to your mind? You feel a sense of empathy or sadness over the treatment of black persons (both men and women) in this county. Or do you immediately think, “All Lives Matter” and not just black ones? Well, I believe both are true. During this time of social unrest to say, “Black Lives Matter”, does not mean no other lives matter (Blue, All, or otherwise). We can love them all but one, for sure, is persecuted throughout the world while the other is not. The Holy Bible declares that each person is created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27) and therefore has intrinsic worth and value. So how did you feel when George Floyd was assassinated in view of the entire world and amidst a global pandemic? It was more than sad, more than tragic, and more than brutal racism. It seemed to be hatred at the very core of evil. And it certainly was not Americas finest moment. Four officers who are paid by American citizens including Mr. Floyd’s very hard-earned tax dollars betrayed their solemn oath to protect and serve all. George Floyd’s death was a microcosm of direct evil shown in the hearts of one particular policeman and complicit evil on the part of three other officers who just watched the execution. Racism is a deadly disease that has flourished for far too long. Literally, I cried crocodile tears when I saw the video, because all African Americans suffer from the trauma of an oppressive history of enslavement. So how do we move forward from here, together? As we enter the summer months, I am reminded how Jesus proclaimed good news to the poor, release to the captives, sight to the blind, and freedom to the oppressed (Luke 4:16-19). He did not mention the plight of the rich, the prison-owners, the sighted and the oppressors? So, what conclusions can we draw from this? Doesn’t Jesus care about all lives? Who are disproportionately incarcerated, who are typi-cally not seen or heard in many institutions throughout our soci-ety, and who still remains in the chains of oppression? When will we become more appalled by the staggering statistic that two unarmed African Americans are killed every day by the police in this country? This is a clarion call that racism and an abuse of power are alive and well, but the simple truth is, not all lives matter. Nevertheless, Black lives do matter especially to God. This is an obvious truth in light of God’s love for all of God’s children. But this has not been the experience for many in the

U.S. In recent years, young black men have been 21 times more likely to be shot dead by police than their white counterparts. Black women in crisis are often met with deadly force like Bre-onna Taylor. The UCC declares, “love of neighbor is an essen-tial aspect of Jesus’ theology. Love for neighbor is not optional, numerous scriptures provide Jesus’ theological premises that love for others is most clear and illuminates one’s love for God. When we violate love for our neighbors, we send a clear mes-sage to God that we do not love the Creator, Jesus and his teach-ings, and the Holy Spirit’s Pentecost message to be the Church are ignored.” So, when black lives are systemically devalued by society, our outrage justifiably insists that our compassion, sup-port, and attention be placed on Black lives. When the Church claims boldly, “Black Lives Matter” at this moment, it choos-es to show up intentionally against all given societal values of supremacy and superiority or common-sense complacency. Let’s recognize that racism is real and a grave evil and causes terrible harm no matter what form it takes. By insisting on the sacred worth of all human beings, Jesus models for us how God loves justly, and how his disciples can love publicly in a world of confounding inequality. We live out the love of God, justly by publicly saying, “Black Lives Matter”, because all lives matter, now and always. So, let’s put our righteous anger to work to seek justice at every lev-el of society. Racial justice demands Christians actively, boldly, and without reservation participate in dismantling racism within systems and structures that oppress people, limit equal access, and denies children, women, and men their civil and human right.

So how can we begin the work of eradicating racism in Amer-ica? We need to report, show up, protect, speak out, and advocate for the vulnerable — people of color. We need to move from indifference to tolerance and from tolerance to acceptance and from acceptance to whole-hearted anti-racism advoca-cy. We need to identify and report perpetrators of racist acts and crimes. We need to inform and train congregations and others how to intervene, disrupt hate, racism, dis-crimination, and other acts of op-pression as a matter of human and civil rights. Let’s be the church that

loves God and our neighbor as Christ loved us. Let’s transform the world through the radical love of Jesus Christ who died, not for some, but for all including Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and so many more who lives matter still! — Pas-tor Frank

Above are 10 Unarmed black persons who died in the hands of the police and still have not receive justice

2

New Horizon Church

IN-PERSON WORSHIP OPTIONAL AFTER

JUNE 15TH

The Florida Conference Re-Launch Task Force along with Bish-op Carter and the Cabinet met this week and decided to allow churches to consider resuming in-person worship after June 15th on a limited basis according to the following guidelines. Before proceeding, we ask that you be sure to have read carefully and completely our FLUMC guidelines, the CDC guidelines, the article “Why reopening church is different”, the FAQ docu-ment, and the Governor’s Plan for Florida’s Recovery. Please continue to offer on-line worship. It is important that vital worship opportunities are readily available for people in your church who are not ready to return to your campus. Recent surveys suggest that more than 70% of your regular church at-tendees may choose to stay home at this time. Many of our vital churches have decided to wait and resume in-person worship until July or August and we fully support these plans. Our strong recommendation is that churches consider lower risk in-person worship opportunities like outside worship (with appro-priate social distancing, wearing masks and a consideration for heat exposure) and drive-in worship (with participants staying in their vehicles - see guidelines here.) Here are seven key things to keep in mind: 1. This guidance could change. If the number of new cases or the infection rates begin to increase, this guidance will be revisit-ed and further guidance will be given, including a new request for no in-person worship during a spike in cases. 2. The decision will vary according to your church context. Churches should carefully follow the guidance of your city and county officials and investigate the rate of infection in your area. Churches should consider the state of preparedness of your church, the size of your congregation, the number of vulnerable persons in your setting, the availability of cleaning supplies, and more. The decision to resume in-person worship should be made by a team of leaders that includes the pastor. 3. Persons in vulnerable populations (in the state of Florida this has been defined as persons over the age of 65 or those with underlying medical conditions) are encouraged to stay home. This guidance is consistent with the guidance from the federal and state government and the CDC. 4. At all times people must maintain at least six feet be-tween family groups. We believe in most indoor settings this

could cap your capacity between 15% to 25% of what your space typically holds. In order to do this safely, you will need to have a registration system in place with spaces set aside for visitors. 5. Clearly communicate the guidelines in multiple ways to every person who enters your space. It is helpful to see this as a covenant between all participants. Guidelines should be in writing. Have clear signage as people enter spaces. Announce the guidelines at the beginning of each gathering. Have a clear plan in place for visitors and those who may not want to follow the guidelines. Be able to communicate why you are reopening should the media be present, and take pictures showing how you are following the guidelines. 6. Remember these simple reminders: Monitor your symp-toms – Stay Home if you are sick – Wash your hands – Maintain social distance – Wear masks. 7. Have enough cleaning supplies to thoroughly clean your facilities before, during, between and after gatherings. Items should be removed from pews, offering plates should not be passed, and communion should be served in a modified way. Here are three areas of higher risk that require conversation and coordination: 1. All persons should wear a mask or cloth face covering. Not wearing a mask puts everyone around you at a higher level of risk. We address masks further in our FAQ. 2. Our conference task team believes congregational singing is a higher risk activity. This is based on a high level of agreement among scientists and singing experts (view CDC research on singing). We address singing further in our FAQ. 3. Ministry to children and youth in this time is a higher risk activity. Before schools reopen, it may be that many churches encourage families to worship together. Children and youth min-istry must follow the CDC guidelines. This will require addi-tional volunteers, volunteers wearing masks, daily checking of temperatures, and more. Social distancing is difficult for younger children to understand. Any church planning to do children or youth ministry should send their specific plan of how they intend to follow the CDC guidelines to their District Superintendent. All children and youth ministry must also follow our Child and Youth Protection Policy. As a final reminder, outside groups who use church facilities should follow the same guidelines we have published. All out-side groups must provide a certificate of insurance, which in-cludes the local church as an Additional Insured, and sign an agreement that states their willingness to abide by these guide-lines. Outside choral groups are strictly prohibited at this time. The above and linked guidelines are the minimum requirements for Florida United Methodist Churches. Churches may add to these guidelines but may not subtract from these guidelines.

LET EVERYTING THAT HAS BREATH….

3

New Horizon Church

OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES:

DO NO HARM DO ALL THE GOOD FOLLOW ALL OF THE ORDINANCES OF GOD

Dear Friends, As you might be aware, we have received approval from the Bishop and the East Central District of the Florida United Meth-odist Church to begin to gathering our church family together for in-person worship beginning no earlier than June 15, 2020. Con-sidering our context, the public safety considerations, and the vulnerability of our church family (most who attend the Tradi-tional worship service), we will delay our first gathering until Sunday, July 5, 2020. Remember, we are committed as follow-ers of Christ to love God and to love our neighbors as our-selves (Mark 12:30-31) In anticipation for this event, we have developed guidelines for post-lockdown worship. To prepare you for such a return, we wanted to share with you our strategic plan in regard to new measures we will be implementing to make the vulnerable among us feel safer: Sunday Worship Service Experiences

• We will offer worship services only in the sanctuary, one at 9:00am, 10:15 am, and 11:30am. The worship experience will be targeted to conclude in 55 minutes and then allow 20 minutes for the evacuation of the sanctuary for the next ser-vice.

• All worshipers will be required to wear a mask that they bring from home. Those worshippers arriving without a mask (including visitors) will be offered a mask to wear while supplies last.

• People who are ill or a high risk for coronavirus would be encouraged to stay home and quarantine themselves until they are well.

• People who are high risk and uncomfortable with in person worship will be offered our continual virtual worship until they feel ready to return to in-person worship.

• Ushers will place bulletins on a table/stand for attendees to grab for themselves.

• All attendees will place their offerings/tithes/pledges in of-fering reciprocals so no offering plates will be touched, han-dled or distributed to the congregation.

• Congregants will be asked to bring their own bibles and hymnals if so desired. We will Use bulletins and screens as alternatives.

• Seating will be spaced out and limited to ensure safe distance from others can be maintained (max of 120 persons). We

will offer additional worship services if necessary, to accom-modate the residual number of people who want to worship at a different time.

• Attendees, Greeters, and Ushers will need to wear masks. Ushers will be active in assisting people in seating process where applicable.

• Communion will be offered through the single serve disposa-ble wafer and cup method with servers standing behind ta-bles with the communion serving units using mask and gloves for distribution and saying, “The Body and Blood of Christ given for you”. Painter’s tape along the aisle may mark 6 feet distances. After receiving, people will return their masks to their proper position before returning to their seats.

• We will not offer children’s church for the first several weeks/months of our return to the worship space. We en-courage parents and family to practice safe distancing to-gether and allow parents to keep a watchful eye on their kids in worship.

• The Pastor will not participate in a receiving line at the con-clusion of the worship service until this pandemic ends as a safety precaution

• No physical attendance pads will be passed or available and we will need to create online attendance register. An usher will be used to fill out attendance register as people enter through verbal conversation.

• The church will strive to provide reasonable accommodation to allow for comfortable worship while still complying to social distancing requirements (for example: clearly marked areas, large spaces for families, special seating for high risk individuals, etc.)

• Temporarily, we will not offer any hospitality foods or drinks during the initial return to in-person worship to pre-vent close contact of worshippers together in order to ensure proper social distancing and to keep surfaces sanitized as much as possible.

• SCRIP table may be repositioned to ensure social distancing in the Main Street Area.

• Temporarily, we will be encouraging people to leave the building after worship rather than mingling.

We recognize that we value community and the love we receive from our fellowship together. We are people of the cross who seek to find new ways of cultivating community and deepening our spiritual life (Rom 12.2). I know this may seem cumber-some, but we feel this strategy will be needed to provide as much safety as possible while we transition back to some sense of nor-malcy. We invite everyone to lean into a reorientation of worship with a new and hopeful vision for what and who we are. We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this. New Horizon Church Leadership Team

4

New Horizon Church

5

When the queen of Sheba visited Solomon, she came with camels laden with spices and... a) Gold b) Gold and precious stones c) Gold and silver d) Gold, frankincense and myrrh

BIBLE QUIZ How much do you know about the Bible? This week's question...

New Horizon Church

WESLEYAN QUOTE OF THE MONTH “Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? O be not weary of well doing!” ― John Wesley

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS Prepare your church, home, and congregation with these simple lists! Save them to your phone, tablet, and computer, for easy reference on the go. A simple checklist of things to have:

• Floridians are encouraged to have at least 10 days of supplies. These supplies include food, water, medicine, batteries, first aid kit, etc. See full hurricane prep checklist here.

*COVOID-19 Supplies in addition to our full hurricane prep checklist here; are hand sanitizer, cleaning materials (Lysol, Clorox, and Disinfectant, etc) and two cloth face coverings per person. Children under 2 years old and people who have trouble breathing should not wear cloth face coverings. *FEMA

• Have some cash on hand and a full tank of gas in your car.

• Let out-of-state family members know your plans (stay or evacuate) and that you will communicate with them as soon as possi-ble, after the storm has passed.

• Secure loose items around the home and church: lawn furniture, playground equipment, etc.

• If planning to evacuate or in a mandatory evacuation zone, evacuate early.

• Save this number: 1-855-CAT-FUMC This is the conference hotline where you can

Call for assistance

Report needs in your neighborhood or community

Offer assistance

• If your church has flood buckets stored, please reach out to jointherecovery@flumc.org . Tell us your church name and city, how many flood buckets you have on hand and your contact person with phone and email.

Stay safe and keep your family and community safe.

6

New Horizon Church

Movie Movie Movie

Harriet (2019) Just Mercy (2019) The Help (2011)

42 (2013) Guess Who? (2005) The Great Debaters

I Am Not Your Negro (2016) 12 Years a Slave (2013) The Butler (2013)

Selma (2014) If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

The Hate U Give

The Green Book The Blind Side (2009) The Color Purple (1985)

Crash (2004) Do the Right Thing (1989) For Colored Girls (2010)

Finding Forrester (2000) Freedom Writers (2007) The Gabby Douglas Story

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)

Hidden Figures (2017) Hotel Rwanda (2004)

If Beale Street Could Talk

Lean on Me (1989) Losing Isaiah (1995)

Marshall ( 2017) Men of Honor (2000) Remember the Titans (2000)

Something The Lord Made (2004)

A Time To Kill (1996) To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

The Tuskegee Airmen (1995) The Hurricane (1999) I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings (1979)

WHAT WE ARE WATCHING

In hopes of preparing the next generation to work together to enhance and better race relations in this nation, Molly and I are watching diverse movies with our children and having an in-depth discussion about racism in history and today. We ask them to think about how racism has impacted the character’s lives and what could have done to minimize or improve their relation-ships with people of another race? We talk about and pray for the change we hope to see in our lives and the world. Here are the movies we plan to watch and discuss this summer in hopes of building up our children’s knowledge, emotional intelli-gence, and spiritual maturity in the face of racism and sexism in America. These movies are the ones we have access to, and the content is intended for mature teens to watch with their parents or be watched by only adults so please plan accordingly.

SCRIP is available!

Give us a call at 863-588-1597 or email us at larkelarson@tampabay.rr.com and let us know what you

need. We will make arrangements to deliver.

Let's keep this program going.

Thanks, Kari and Darin

7

New Horizon Church

GOOD READS FOR DIFFICULT TIMES

8

New Horizon Church

9

New Horizon Church

CABINET STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO RACIAL INJUSTICE Inclusivity Social Justice

June 08, 2020 From the Cabinet of the Florida Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church We join in the outrage expressed by multiple groups and leaders within our connection. The outrage is not only over the death of George Floyd (and countless others) but over the way in which systemic rac-ism and white supremacy are imbedded in the history of our nation and of our church. This act of vio-lence was perpetrated at the hands of those charged with protecting citizens and maintaining the peace. Racism is not new. White supremacy, xenophobia, and white privilege are interwoven within our social, political, and religious structures. Racism is a sin and is blatantly incompatible with Christian teaching. As Jesus' people we begin with the knowledge that all persons are created in the image of God. We believe all lives won’t matter until black lives matter. We seek to name the injustices within the Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church and work toward healing and unity. We acknowledge our complicity and our collective need to develop greater self-awareness. We repent of our individual and collective sins of omission and commission, particularly our silence and when we have not actively worked for racial justice. We commit to listening. We commit to peace with justice. We commit to the urgency of educating our-selves. We commit to change. We commit to further training of our clergy and resourcing local churches in order to create heart transformation for all Florida United Methodists. We encourage Florida United Methodists to work toward eliminating obstacles to voting. We ask people to move towards one another and build new relationships. We join you in prayer with a commitment to build a future with hope. The truth of this statement will be made known as we witness these words put into action.

TO ALL THE FATHERS ON

SUNDAY, JUNE 21

10

New Horizon Church

11

JUNE 2020 DAILY DEVOTION GUIDE

Reflect on the scripture of the

day and Praise our Awesome God

1 Genesis 1; John 1:1 - 3 Our God is an awesome God… 2 Psalm 113 Our God is an awesome God… 3 Psalm 3:3, 4, 5 Our God is an awesome God… 4 Exodus 10:23b; John 8:12 Our God is an awesome God… 5 Genesis 17:17-19; Luke 1:13, 26-37 Our God is an awesome God… 6 Exodus 16:4 – 12; Psalm 78:25 Our God is an awesome God… 7 Joshua 3:10; 23:3; Psalm 44:1 - 3 Our God is an awesome God… 8 Daniel 3:1 – 28; Isaiah 43:2 Our God is an awesome God… 9 Romans 11:29 Our God is an awesome God… 10 1 Kings 17:3 – 16; Luke 4:25, 26 Our God is an awesome God… 11 Exodus 9:16; Psalm 75:6; Romans 13:1 Our God is an awesome God… 12 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 Our God is an awesome God… 13 Ephesians 1:3 Our God is an awesome God… 14 Matthew 18:19, 20 Our God is an awesome God… 15 Psalm 50:6 - 14 Our God is an awesome God…

16 Matthew 6:25 - 34 Our God is an awesome God… 17 Psalm 66:10, 12 Our God is an awesome God… 18 2 Timothy 1:7 Our God is an awesome God… 19 Exodus 17:5 – 7; Numbers 20:8; John 4:10, 15 Our God is an awesome God… 20 Proverbs 16:11 Our God is an awesome God… 21 1 Chronicles 29:10 - 15 Our God is an awesome God… 22 Proverbs 18:10 Our God is an awesome God… 23 2 Peter 1:2 - 4 Our God is an awesome God… 24 Psalm 8 Our God is an awesome God… 25 Psalm 29 Our God is an awesome God… 26 2 Chronicles 20:6, 15b, 22, 25 Our God is an awesome God… 27 Psalm 36:5 - 9 Our God is an awesome God… 28 2 Chronicles 36:22, 23; Ezra 1:1, 2 Our God is an awesome God… 29 Revelation 21:3 - 7 Our God is an awesome God… 30 Revelation 22:1 - 5 Our God is an awesome God…

Compiled by Rev. Ron Lacey

12

New Horizon Church

New Horizon Church - A United Methodist Congregation 400 Orchid Drive Haines City, Florida 33844 Phone: 863-422-1290 Email Editor: jsum@tampabay.rr.com

IN THE DISTRICT GREETINGS FROM THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT

I was in a conversation with several others early one morning recently, and the conversation moved toward our spiritual lives. As has happened so many times, I found myself engaged in a dialogue about the busy-ness of life in today's world, and how difficult it is to find the time for personal study and prayer. And of course, I could relate to the point being made. As I was reflecting on the morning conversation later in the day I was reminded of the piece below that someone gave me many years ago. I’m not sure whom to credit, since no author is cited. I read it periodically, as an important reminder:

The Difference I got up early one morning

and rushed right into the day; I had so much to accomplish

that I didn't have time to pray. Problems just tumbled about me,

and heavier came each task. "Why doesn't God help me?"

I wondered. He answered, "You didn't ask." I wanted to see joy and beauty,

but the day just became more bleak; I wondered why God didn't show me,

He said, "But you didn't seek." I tried to come into God's presence;

I used all my keys at the lock. God gently and lovingly chided,

"My child, you didn't knock." I woke up early this morning,

and paused before entering the day; I had so much to accomplish

that I had to take time to pray.

As I re-read this piece I was reminded once again of the importance of prayer . . . of conversation with God about what is going on in my life, of seeking guidance and direction, of receiving strength and hope, of listen-ing to the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit speaking into my heart, of lifting up others who are suffering in one way or another, of offering gratitude and thanksgiving to God for all of life’s joys and blessings. By the time I had finished reading, I was convinced once again . . . "I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray."

Grace and Peace,

Bob Bushong District Superintendent East Central District

Dr. Bob Bushong