'Jesus is missing'

Matters of Faith

Dear Friends:

I would like to introduce you to a new article entitled “Sundays With Little Johnny.” Little

Johnny jokes are well known throughout the country for their down-home humor. Some are not polite enough to be shared in public, but I will try to be very selective with my choices. So here’s hoping you enjoy the articles and that they inspire you.

Terry Jenkins

Little Johnny and his brother, Little Jimmy, were known in their small town as the

mischief makers. If there was a prank call made or graffiti on a park bench, everyone knew

where to look for the culprits behind the misdeeds.

The boys parents were beside themselves about what to do about their wayward

children.They had tried every kind of discipline they could think of. Finally they went to their

pastor and asked if he would talk to the youngsters. Maybe he could find a way to guide them

on a straighter path.

The pastor consented but said he wanted to talk to the boys one at a time. He didn’t think he could handle both together. He said to send Little Johnny first.

The parents were excited that the pastor was the answer to their prayers. They went

home and sent Johnny to the church because pastor wanted to talk to him. Johnny entered the

church quietly, and the pastor motioned for him to come sit on the front pew.

Once Johnny was seated, pastor said, “Jesus is missing.’

Johnny sat quietly.

Again the pastor said, “Jesus is missing. Do you know where He is?”

Still Johnny remained quiet.

By this time pastor is getting frustrated. He thinks maybe Johnny can’t hear him because pastor is sure Johnny knows Jesus is in his heart. So this time pastor gets down close to Johnny’s face and yells, “Jesus is missing. Do you know where He is?”

Johnny jumps up, runs out of the church and all the way home, up the stairs at home to

his bedroom, and slams the bedroom door shut barricading it with his body.

His brother Jimmy is playing on the floor and looks up curiously. He asks, “What’s the matter?”

Johnny pants, “Jesus is missing and they think we took Him.”

Johnny didn’t notice that Jesus was missing, and he certainly knew he didn’t take Him. Is

Jesus missing in your life, your home, your community, your state, your world? If so, don’t

blame Johnny or Jimmy. If Jesus is missing, look in the mirror. Look in your heart first. Once

you find Jesus, God will use you to help others to find Jesus.

Have a blessed week.

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If you are ready to worship and serve a loving God who welcomes everyone to his family, please come worship with us. We will give you a warm welcome, a hot/cold drink, and a homemade cookie. And, most important of all, we will give you an ample sample of God’s wonderful and unfailing love. We won’t ask you for money. We won’t ask you to change your life. We will share the good news of Jesus Christ and the wonderful life God offers to all of us.

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We will have Sunday morning services during the month August 2026 at 10 a.m. at the Fontana, Kansas United Methodist Church.

We will have Sunday morning services during the month September at 10 a.m. at the Parker UMC.

We will have Sunday morning services during the month of October at 10 a.m. at the Beagle UMC.

We serve communion on the first Sunday of each month.

All are welcome in God’s House.  Come and celebrate with us.

Bascom Ratliff  (913-710-5748)

Pastor: Parker/Beagle/Fontana

United Methodist Churches