From the Rec Min September 23 2019

Happy beautiful Monday, CSports family! I was told that all went well Saturday and that the happy shouts and smiles were abundant during soccer games. My wife and I were with friends for the weekend at Dauphin Island and I sat in a chair with my iPad in my lap on a deck overlooking the water waiting for texts and videos from the soccer games. You guys were in my heart big time!

               This week is CSports Week here at Christ United Methodist. Please be looking for our pastors and representatives during the week who will be greeting folks and inviting all to attend one of our worship services this coming Sunday (8:00am, 9:15am, or 10:40am) to be recognized during the service. The ministry provided through your service and through the participation of the hundreds of families who are here each week is a blessing to our congregation and leadership and they, in turn, want to thank you in person. PLEASE encourage all of your families to come to one of our five services, players wear their shirts, and stand to be recognized during the service when the announcement is made. Those who will be going to their own churches can come to one of our early services and make it back to their own church even if they have to slip out early.

               This morning I was in our gym making a video to be shown Sunday explaining (in 60 seconds) what CSports is about. There is something about verbalizing a purpose that seems to make it even more real. In 1 Corinthians 2:4 Paul tells the people of the church in Corinth, “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” If you go back and study the history of this letter you will see that the church in Corinth was being changed more by the world than the world was being changed by the church. We see that over and over each day on the news. As I was talking about CSports it became even more real to me how our presentation of sports activities is having a greater affect on the community than we may know; not just through our words, but through our actions. Because our coaches and leaders focus, not only on fundamentals, strategies, and skills, but on sportsmanship, fairness, teamwork, and grace, as these young ones move into the “world” of school or travel sports, they will make a difference; a good difference. Anywhere you have led one, they will lead another. You, through faith and perseverance, will have made the world a better place. You will have made a better mom or dad for future generations; a better CSports or even All Star Coach for future athletes. That’s why we do what we do the way we do it.

               Please be sure to get your families here Sunday morning. We’ve already gotten some great reports about Team Service Projects. Soon we will be doing Celebration Banners. We have a busy few weeks! Thank you all for everything you do to make this ministry effective. See you Sunday!

In His Service,

Steve Ellisor, Recreation Minister

Christ United Methodist Church

251-706-3326

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6

From the Rec Min September 16, 2019

Another great day of C-Sports Soccer is in the books. Thanks for your work and sweat! Good things are happening in the lives of our players and families. Not this week, but next week (9/23 – 29), our church is celebrating C-Sports for the whole week. You should see our pastors circulating on the fields during the week and on game day. The following Sunday, September 29, will be C-Sports Sunday here at the church where we hope all of our families can come to one of our services and be recognized and thanked by our congregation. Please inform your teams (players and parents) that we have an 8:00am service in the sanctuary and 9:15am and 10:40am services in the sanctuary and gym each Sunday. Some of your families may want to come to an earlier service so that they can make it to a service at their home church afterwards. Remember, this is the 29th…not this coming Sunday. Please encourage everyone to show up.

               I was going through some of my paperwork and came across a “Rec Min” message from back in 2008. I was moved by the Spirit to let this be my message to you again this week. Please see below…

I’ve always felt it was important for coaches to encourage parents to participate, or at least be present, in the team devotions during each practice. The messages are for them, too! I want the coaches to include their own stories and add to the written materials; to personalize the experience as much as they feel led or feel comfortable doing. Let the children, and families, SEE the message as much as they HEAR it.

               One of my favorite songs, and here I go getting teary eyed, is Some Things I Must Tell The Children by Gloria Gaither. I sang it to my kids at bed time when they were little. I’ve performed it at baptisms. The words remind us of the important things we must tell our children. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 says, “Love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them upon your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, and when you lie down and when you get up.” When you deliver the devotion, lead a prayer, or spiritually mentor children (with family members listening close by) you are planting seeds that you may never see bear fruit. This is our service to God. He does the rest. Our job is to first see that we, ourselves, are open and receptive to His Spirit and then to pray for His guidance as we deliver messages and interact with his people.

               Prayer Partners are praying for you daily. I hope you are praying for your team and for this ministry as a whole. God is good and the Holy Spirit is at work because you committed to be His agent of love, grace, and instruction to your team. May He richly bless you for what you are doing for His kingdom!

               I hope this week cools off for us all. Thank you for all you do.

In His Service,

Steve Ellisor, Recreation Minister

Christ United Methodist Church

251-706-3326

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6

From the Rec Min September 9, 2019

               Thank the Lord for another beautiful (if quite hot) day of CSports Soccer! Every season of every year I get great joy from seeing the improvement each week in the players’ skills, the teams’ efficiency, and the coaches’ techniques and game management. I’m currently re-reading Tim Tebow’s book in which he goes into great detail about his commitment to working for Christ and his work ethic which pushes him to train so hard for his athletic pursuits. He quotes Luke 12:48 several times where Jesus tells us, “To whom much is given, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” He uses that as both a motivator and a warning. God creates us and gives each of us gifts which He intends for us to use to serve Him and make this world a better place.

               The Body of Christ is not unlike our own bodies. Our hands are useless unless our eyes see, our arms move, and our minds determine a purpose. Our legs need our feet and vice versa. In our families, our churches, and our communities we need the gifts God has given each of us to perform effectively. Coaches, Team Parents, Prayer Partners, Rec Staff and Volunteers, Concessions vendors, volunteer grass cutters, Parents who help with organization and devotions all play major parts in this ministry which reaches so many children and families. Please continue to give 100% of the gifts and energy with which God has blessed you! You are making a difference every week!

               Please remind teams of the Team Service Project expectations as well as the CSports Soccer Celebration Sunday, Oct. 13, at 3:00pm. Have a fun and safe week. See you on the fields!

In His Service,

Steve Ellisor, Recreation Minister

Christ United Methodist Church

251-706-3326

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6

From the Rec Min September 2, 2019

               I hope you are all having a good Labor Day holiday! Thank you for a great first day of soccer games! I was circulating the fields and introduced myself to one of the coaches who told me, “I know your name. You’re the one who sends us the emails every week!” Yep…that’s me. During our sports seasons I like to stay in contact and pass along any pertinent information while thanking all of you for the services you are providing to this ministry and to the hundreds of families who bring their children to learn sports, meet new friends, and grow closer to the Lord. Sometimes we may feel like we are “herding cats” or just entertaining when the kids seem to be working off their energies from a long day in school or whatever, but please never underestimate the influence you are having upon them and the effect your influence will have on them as, and when, they grow up. We often can’t see the young ones processing the things we teach, but we know God has a plan for them and we are a part of it!

               Many times in my thoughts that I pass along have I gone back to the story of David in 1 Samuel where Samuel is looking for the one God has chosen to be king of Israel. Samuel was led to the house of Jesse to anoint one of his sons as God’s chosen one. He meets each of Jesse’s strong young sons but is not led to anoint any of them. He asks Jesse in Chapter 16, verse 11, “Are these all the sons you have?” to which Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest but he is tending the sheep.” That youngest, more or less overlooked by his father, was David who would become the king. Let us be sure we never overlook or underestimate any of the children who are in our care each week. We teach them specifics about the game, sportsmanship, teamwork, and hope to teach and inspire them during the team devotions during the practices, but we have no idea what God has in store for them. When you (and we, the rec staff) accepted the responsibility to lead and to serve, we acknowledged a part of the plan God had for us. Now, let us perform as we were led and see what wonders may come from our efforts.

               Thank you all for everything you do for this ministry and for the children and families in your care!

In His Service,

Steve Ellisor, Recreation Minister

Christ United Methodist Church

251-706-3326

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6

From the Rec Min July 22, 2019

Thank you for a great CSports Flag Football season! Our church’s stated goals are to “Love God, Love People, and Change the World”. Because of your service we have done that, over and over each season of each sport. Now, beginning this evening, we begin soccer. I hope you will participate and even volunteer to lead in some capacity. Last Tuesday our weekly staff devotion was led by our Minister of Pastoral Care, Rev. Shaun Kaulfers. His message was both inspiring and challenging. He started with the passage found in Ephesians 4:11,12 which says, “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the Body of Christ may be built up.” Among the “pastors and teachers” I can include coaches, team parents, field and desk volunteers, as well as the Rec staff who spend so much time keeping the fields and equipment ready for play. Then, Pastor Shaun shared Jesus’ words from Matthew 7:21-23 where He said, “Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of My Father who is in Heaven. Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me you evil doers!’” That took a while for many of us in the room to digest! We work hard to do what God has called us to do, but, as we thought about it…do we still “know Him”? Do we still take the personal time, not when we’re working or serving, but quiet, private time, to read scripture, to pray, to listen, and to feel His Spirit within and without?

               As I am moved often to check my spirit and habits, I encourage you to do likewise. Be sure your “cup is full” so that it can pour out God’s love and blessings onto those with whom you come in contact. Thank you all for what you mean to this ministry and to this community. Be safe and I’ll see you soon!

In His Service,

Steve Ellisor, Recreation Minister

Christ United Methodist Church

251-706-3326

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6

From the Rec Min July 15th, 2019

               What a great week! Thankfully, the weather held off for us to get games in Thursday and Friday. Then, on Saturday, activities were inside as we hosted a Ronnie Arrow Basketball Camp. Our CSports Flag Football Celebration was held in the gym Sunday afternoon and, although attendance was light – probably due to the weekend weather threats – the atmosphere was great! Several of our high-spirited staff and leaders enjoy loud responses from the audience and they got it! The players did a great “thank you” parade for the coaches, the video was entertaining, and we were blessed to meet and hear a word of inspiration from our brand new Minister of Discipleship here at Christ United, Rev. Bobbi Lassiter. Being the mom of young, prospective CSports children, she was right on target in thanking parents and volunteers and relating how important it is that we direct this next generation in and into Christ centered activities. It is very easy for us to discount the things we do with and for our kids as so many of the activities seem continuous. Ephesians 3:20-21 tells us, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever, amen.” (may be where Randy Travis got the phrase)   What we do in His name, pursuant to His calling, will have greater results than we will ever know. The response cards we received from the Celebration attendees showed that, among the small crowd in attendance, 6 adults and 12 players accepted Christ as their personal Savior during the season. 22 adults and 13 players said that they grew closer to Christ during the season. This is just one indication of the influence you have had so far this season through your dedication, your mentoring, your presentation of devotions each week, your encouragement, and your representation of the true purpose of this program. Thank you for being the engine that keeps us running!

               We are in our last week of Flag Football. We hope the weather cooperates. Soccer evaluations are next week. Mrs. Rose always needs coaches and team parents!! Have a great week and I’ll see you on the fields.

In His Service,

Steve Ellisor, Recreation Minister

Christ United Methodist Church

251-706-3326

From the Rec Min July 1, 2019

               Happy Monday C-Sports family! I hope you all survived the storms over the past several days. I’m sorry we had to cancel games but the safety of our players, families and staff must always be our greatest concern. We actually did have one staff member injured during the storm Thursday but, thank God, she is fine. Somehow the lock to the rec storage shed was lost during the scramble to get things put away Thursday. Several people looked all over for it as it must have flown off the door when the wind whipped it open. I looked for it twice myself. This morning, before going to the lock store we use to get a new one and a bunch of keys made to it, I went back out there again. I had been looking maybe 10 minutes or so, sweat running down my face, and finally I said out loud in exasperation, “Lord, where is the lock?” I promise, no exaggeration, I then looked down and it was lying at my feet on top of the pine straw we keep in front of the shed. I guess God sometimes sends a reminder that He’s watching everything we do.

               My wife and I were blessed to spend a couple of days at the beach with friends this past weekend. Though I was still in touch via phone with family and work, I used the time to relax and recoup. I have a hard time relaxing when I know I have things that need to be done, but I tried. I had recently read the story of the two wood cutters who entered a contest to see who could chop the most wood in a day. One of the cutters chopped non-stop. The other took a break every couple of hours. When the contest ended, surprisingly, the cutter who had taken the breaks was the winner. When asked how that could be, the winner explained, “During my breaks I was sharpening my ax.” There is a message there. Maybe a couple of “rained-out” games presented a needed rest for many of us. I was able to use my time to reflect, to appreciate, and to quietly commune with God, my Creator and Savior. That is my equivalent of “sharpening my ax”. We read in Philippians 4:8, “Finally brothers, whatever is noble, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” In life, whatever we feed grows and whatever we starve dies. That is especially true of our spiritual lives.

               Welcome to Mobile, Alabama! It is going to be sunny and hot, rainy and murky, cloudy, windy, all in the same day. When we find ourselves changing plans due to the weather, let’s use that time to feed our spirits with prayer, Bible reading, and even in conversation with family members without electronic devices in our hands or laps. God’s mercies are new and exciting every day. Let’s expect and enjoy them!

               Thank you all for the tings you do to make this ministry produce Godly results. Have a great week and I’ll see you on the fields!

In His Service,

Steve Ellisor, Recreation Minister

Christ United Methodist Church

251-706-3326

From the Rec Min June 24, 2019

               Good rainy morning! I’m very thankful that the rain held off this morning until morning VBS carpool was over! Thank you all for another great week of C-Sports Flag Football! I’m hearing great things each week about the fun, learning, and just the general spirit that is so prevalent out on the fields. In all of our activities we are challenged daily by worldly values and habits and, through C-Sports we have proven that God’s instruction and assurance is stronger than the world’s influence. Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” When I speak to groups about our programs I describe our ministry as “In the world but not of the world.” When I see so many coaches, Team Parents, and field volunteers at work I am reminded of the passage in 3 John 1:5-6 that says, “Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers [and sisters], even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.” Thank you for all you do!

               This morning I was excited to see Rev. Bobbi Lassiter helping with VBS in the hallway. She is our brand new Pastor of Discipleship and will be our Celebration speaker on July 14th. Please begin reminding your team families to be at the Celebration Sunday, July 14, at 3:00pm.

               I hope the weather allows us to have practices and games this week. Mrs. Rose will be using all of her heavenly influence to keep it dry in the afternoons! Have a great week and I’ll see you on the fields!

In His Service,

Steve Ellisor, Recreation Minister

Christ United Methodist Church

251-706-3326

From the Rec June 17, 2019

               Good morning staff and volunteers and welcome to the 2019 CSports Flag Football season! Those of you who have been with us a while know that each Monday after games I send a brief message reflecting on the practices and games from the week before. It is our job and blessing to equip and encourage the many volunteers in this and other sports activities. Our staff is relatively few in number and we very much realize that all of our Spirit led successes are dependent upon our volunteers who have been led to lead and serve. From my staff and I, THANK YOU! From the Holy Spirit, HERE WE GO!

               God likes children! The openness to new things and genuine trust in authority are unique to children as are the expectation and acceptance of unconditional love. Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:3, “Unless you change and become like little children you will never see the Kingdom of God.” He was speaking about the love, trust and submission we need to display. Waaay back in Deuteronomy 6, we adults are told to “Love the lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” and to tell it to your children “when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, and when you lie down and when you get up.” Flag football had not been invented in Moses’ day. Had it been, I am convinced he would have added, “and as you coach and mentor” to the verse. This is what we do. We must first absorb the love and assurance from the Holy Spirit (you can’t give what you don’t have) and then pour it out on the players and families assigned to us as we teach rules, techniques, skills, sportsmanship, teamwork, and the word and love of God to them for the next five weeks. When you answered the call to serve, you became life changers…world changers. Future generations will one day hear your words as recalled by the young ones you are teaching today. Rejoice in it! Take it seriously!

               Please let Mrs. Rose know of any questions you may have. Remember the rules of sportsmanship and guard your instincts to shout disagreement if a call is missed by our volunteer officials. Your players are learning how to coach your grandchild one day 😊. We have several new staff who are helping with the sports so please make a point to meet them and welcome them to the world of CSports.

               See you on the field!

In his Service,

Steve Ellisor, Recreation Minister

Christ United Methodist Church

251-706-3326

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6

From the Rec Min May 13, 2019

               Thank you all for a great season of CSports Baseball. It sure didn’t end as we had hoped but, even though I tease Mrs. Rose about controlling the weather, we live in Mobile and it can get crazy! Coaches please try to contact team members who have not received their trophies. Otherwise, bring them to the rec desk. We begin CSports Flag Football evaluations tonight. Mrs. Rose still needs coaches! Please prayerfully consider continuing your service in this ministry! As Paul said in Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” While it feels good to finish a task (or season) we must take a deep breath and continue serving. Many of you are old timers in this ministry and have coached several sports for years. Thank you!! Please help as mentors to the new folks who come in just as you did years ago. Show them the spirit we are looking for to lead these young athletes and help them become what God has created them to be. Yes, it’s a task and a blessing all at the same time!

               Thank you for the great effect you’ve already had on this next generation in our community and thank you for what you will do in the future! May God bless you and your families richly as He has blessed us through you!

In His Service,

Steve Ellisor, Recreation Minister

Christ United Methodist Church

251-706-3326

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6