Sunday, September 29, 2013
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Bible Challenge 09/29 - 10/05
Greetings All!
Here is a bit of background information for our reading this week. This week's reading moves through the
rest of the book of Ezekiel and begins the book of Daniel. The second section of Ezekiel, from chapters 25-32 is all revelations against foreign nations and the book finishes up with prophecies of hope and salvation in the third section from chapters 33-48. In particular the third section talks about the end of the Jewish exile and a new city and new Temple will be built.
The first two chapters of Daniel are the introduction to Daniel, his friends and their circumstances in exile. Daniel was one of the young men from Judah carried off to Babylon along with three of his friends. While there they were selected for leadership and given new names. We don't call Daniel by his foreign name (Belteshazzar), but we do call his friends by their exile names (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego).
Here is the schedule:
29, Sunday: Ezekiel 23-26
30, Monday: Ezekiel 27-30
01, Tuesday: Ezekiel 31-34
02, Wednesday: Ezekiel 35-38
03, Thursday: Ezekiel 39-42
04, Friday: Ezekiel 43-46
05, Saturday: Ezekiel 47 - Daniel 2
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the understanding and most importantly the living out of His holy word. Amen.
Here is a bit of background information for our reading this week. This week's reading moves through the
rest of the book of Ezekiel and begins the book of Daniel. The second section of Ezekiel, from chapters 25-32 is all revelations against foreign nations and the book finishes up with prophecies of hope and salvation in the third section from chapters 33-48. In particular the third section talks about the end of the Jewish exile and a new city and new Temple will be built.
The first two chapters of Daniel are the introduction to Daniel, his friends and their circumstances in exile. Daniel was one of the young men from Judah carried off to Babylon along with three of his friends. While there they were selected for leadership and given new names. We don't call Daniel by his foreign name (Belteshazzar), but we do call his friends by their exile names (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego).
Here is the schedule:
29, Sunday: Ezekiel 23-26
30, Monday: Ezekiel 27-30
01, Tuesday: Ezekiel 31-34
02, Wednesday: Ezekiel 35-38
03, Thursday: Ezekiel 39-42
04, Friday: Ezekiel 43-46
05, Saturday: Ezekiel 47 - Daniel 2
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the understanding and most importantly the living out of His holy word. Amen.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Friday Fives
1. Preaching Series - This Sunday we will continue our preaching series focusing on the life of the Apostle Paul. It’s very difficult to think of the New Testament without thinking about Paul, because so much of his influence and thought is found in the letters and epistles of the New Testament writings. His transformation from a man named Saul, who persecuted Christians, to a man named Paul, who became the great theologian of the early church, is perhaps one of the best-known stories in all of Scripture. Apart from Jesus, no single person influenced the history of the Christian community more than Paul did. This week we will look at how to find the silver lining in life. I encourage you to invite a friend and come be a part of the celebration!
2. Food 4 Kids - We are once again participating in the Food 4 Kids backpack program by sponsoring Shady Hill Elementary. Food 4 Kids was created in 2004 when it came to the attention of school teachers that many children were not being fed over the weekend. The "backpack program" as it's termed, was created to provide food for each child that qualifies at the school level for assistance. By volunteering to help fill these backpacks, you help ensure that children in Marion County do not go hungry over the weekend. Beginning soon, we will meet at InterFaith on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 A.M. and fill the backpacks. With four people, this averages about 20 minutes to complete. I hope you will considering volunteering this year, with whatever time you can spare. If you are interested in helping please contact Debby Baugher.
3. Pulpit Swap - I am excited to be able to tell you that this Sunday, September 29th, we will engage in our Fifth Sunday pulpit swap with Belleview UMC. I invite you to come hear the gentle spirit and inspired wisdom of Pastor Debbie as she continues with our series on Lessons from the Life of Paul.
I am confident that you will be blessed and transformed as you experience the Holy Spirit through her. Invite a friend and come be a part of movement of the Holy Spirit.
4. Nursery Help - We are looking for people to help us staff our nursery on Sunday mornings. The number of young people we have in the nursery is growing and needless to say, that is a good thing! If you are interested in helping Ms. Joy care for and teach our kids during worship, please let the church office know. You can email by clicking here, or call 629-5688. Thus far, we have had two people sign up and we are looking for at least eight. Remember the old adage, many hands make light work. I hope you will consider volunteering to help support this ministry.
Advent Conspiracy Update - I have been incredibly moved at how this congregation has responded to support this challenge. Each week I will post an update of how much has been raised towards our goal. If you would like more information about this challenge and the charities that will be supported with the proceeds, please visit our website by clicking here.
Have a great weekend and I will see you soon!
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Bible Challenge 09/22 - 09/28
Greetings All!
This week's reading moves through the final chapter of Jeremiah, through the entire book of Lamentations and gets us almost halfway through the book of Ezekiel.
The name "Ezekiel" means "God will strengthen." His story is interesting. He describes his calling by God to be a prophet, going into a lot of detail about God riding a chariot of four wheels guided by cherubs. For the next several years, he preached alongside Jeremiah about the coming destruction of Jerusalem which he lived to witness. He was in his mid-twenties when he was exiled along with about 3,000 upper class Jews to Babylon after the fall of Jerusalem. There he and his wife lived in their own home and other exiles came to see his prophetic insights. Later he began to have visions of a new Temple. All total, his career as a prophet lasted for around 25 years.
Our reading this week carries us almost all the way through the entire first segment of Ezekiel (chapters 1-24) in which Ezekiel pronounces a judgement against Israel.
Here is the schedule:
22, Sunday: Jeremiah 5 - Lamentations 3
23, Monday: Lamentations 4 - Ezekiel 2
24, Tuesday: Ezekiel 3-6
25, Wednesday: Ezekiel 7-10
26, Thursday: Ezekiel 11-14
27, Friday: Ezekiel 15-18
28, Saturday: Ezekiel 19-22
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the understanding and most importantly the living out of His holy word. Amen.
This week's reading moves through the final chapter of Jeremiah, through the entire book of Lamentations and gets us almost halfway through the book of Ezekiel.
The name "Ezekiel" means "God will strengthen." His story is interesting. He describes his calling by God to be a prophet, going into a lot of detail about God riding a chariot of four wheels guided by cherubs. For the next several years, he preached alongside Jeremiah about the coming destruction of Jerusalem which he lived to witness. He was in his mid-twenties when he was exiled along with about 3,000 upper class Jews to Babylon after the fall of Jerusalem. There he and his wife lived in their own home and other exiles came to see his prophetic insights. Later he began to have visions of a new Temple. All total, his career as a prophet lasted for around 25 years.
Our reading this week carries us almost all the way through the entire first segment of Ezekiel (chapters 1-24) in which Ezekiel pronounces a judgement against Israel.
Here is the schedule:
22, Sunday: Jeremiah 5 - Lamentations 3
23, Monday: Lamentations 4 - Ezekiel 2
24, Tuesday: Ezekiel 3-6
25, Wednesday: Ezekiel 7-10
26, Thursday: Ezekiel 11-14
27, Friday: Ezekiel 15-18
28, Saturday: Ezekiel 19-22
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the understanding and most importantly the living out of His holy word. Amen.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Friday Fives
1. Preaching Series - This Sunday we will continue our preaching series focusing on the life of the Apostle Paul. It’s very difficult to think of the New Testament without thinking about Paul, because so much of his influence and thought is found in the letters and epistles of the New Testament writings. His transformation from a man named Saul, who persecuted Christians, to a man named Paul, who became the great theologian of the early church, is perhaps one of the best-known stories in all of Scripture. Apart from Jesus, no single person influenced the history of the Christian community more than Paul did. This week we will look at the vital importance of Paul’s mentoring of Timothy as we look to the idea of passing the torch. I encourage you to invite a friend and come be a part of the celebration!
2. Food 4 Kids - We are once again participating in the Food 4 Kids backpack program by sponsoringShady Hill Elementary. Food 4 Kids was created in 2004 when it came to the attention of school teachers that many children were not being fed over the weekend. The "backpack program" as it's termed, was created to provide food for each child that qualifies at the school level for assistance. By volunteering to help fill these backpacks, you help ensure that children in Marion County do not go hungry over the weekend. Beginning soon, we will meet at InterFaith on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 A.M. and fill the backpacks. With four people, this averages about 20 minutes to complete. I hope you will considering volunteering this year, with whatever time you can spare. If you are interested in helping please contact Debby Baugher.
3. Support for InterFaith - September 25th, from 11am - 9pm, Blue Highway Pizzeria will host a charity day for InterFaith. Blue Highway Pizzeria, located at 2130 E Silver Springs Blvd is a great new restaurant that has opened up recently here in Ocala. I have been several times and have never left disappointed, but always full! On the 25th, Blue Highway will donate 10% of the proceeds to InterFaith's Food 4 Kids program. I encourage you to grab your family and friends and go enjoy some great food, while helping a great cause. I hope to see you there!
4. Nursery Help - We are looking for people to help us staff our nursery on Sunday mornings. The number of young people we have in the nursery is growing and needless to say, that is a good thing! If you are interested in helping Ms. Joy care for and teach our kids during worship, please let the church office know. You can email by clicking here, or call 629-5688. Thus far, we have had two people sign up and we are looking for at least eight. Remember the old adage, many hands make light work. I hope you will consider volunteering to help support this ministry.
Advent Conspiracy Update - I have been incredibly moved at how this congregation has responded to support this challenge. Each week I will post an update of how much has been raised towards our goal. If you would like more information about this challenge and the charities that will be supported with the proceeds, please visit our website by clicking here.
Have a great weekend and I will see you Sunday!
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Midweek Moment
This past Sunday in worship we talked about the idea of grace. We talked about how God’s grace is sufficient for all we face in this life. We looked about at how no one person is ever “too far gone” to receive God’s grace. We sought to understand that God’s grace is not wimpy, but aggressive as God’s grace searches for us, comes after us, and if we let it, washes over us and drenches our entire soul.
At certain times in our lives, we have all felt guilt. We have had felt guilt over words spoken, or not spoken; over how we have treated other people; or how we have not gone when God called us. There are hundreds of other situations I know we can add to this list, but you get the idea. Our lives have been and will continue to be exposed to guilt.
What I want you all to remember, is that guilt will never be the last word. Our God is a God of redemption. Every feeling of guilt you have in life, every instance where you seek a “do-over”, every time you find a desert between you and Almighty God, do not fret, because redemption is coming, God’s grace is coming.
God will come to you, God will redeem you, and God will redeem your situation. God does not want you to wander or to suffer. God will not abandon you in those dark and chaotic seasons of life. What God will do, is reach out to you, walk with you, and give to you his grace. Remember the story of Paul we talked about Sunday. A man that persecuted the early believers, but through God’s grace and redemption became one of the early church’s greatest advocates. This was not accomplished through Paul’s own will, determination, or strength. This was God grace working in and through Paul.
Dear friends, there is no past deed, no past action, no past thought, that will make God give up on you. That’s the wonderful thing about grace – there’s nobody too far gone, no one beyond God’s reach. God’s grace is better than that; God’s grace is stronger than that.
I encourage you to let God’s grace be sufficient for you as you trust in God’s grace, share God’s grace with others, and are transformed by God’s grace.
Have a great week and I will see you Sunday!
At certain times in our lives, we have all felt guilt. We have had felt guilt over words spoken, or not spoken; over how we have treated other people; or how we have not gone when God called us. There are hundreds of other situations I know we can add to this list, but you get the idea. Our lives have been and will continue to be exposed to guilt.
What I want you all to remember, is that guilt will never be the last word. Our God is a God of redemption. Every feeling of guilt you have in life, every instance where you seek a “do-over”, every time you find a desert between you and Almighty God, do not fret, because redemption is coming, God’s grace is coming.
God will come to you, God will redeem you, and God will redeem your situation. God does not want you to wander or to suffer. God will not abandon you in those dark and chaotic seasons of life. What God will do, is reach out to you, walk with you, and give to you his grace. Remember the story of Paul we talked about Sunday. A man that persecuted the early believers, but through God’s grace and redemption became one of the early church’s greatest advocates. This was not accomplished through Paul’s own will, determination, or strength. This was God grace working in and through Paul.
Dear friends, there is no past deed, no past action, no past thought, that will make God give up on you. That’s the wonderful thing about grace – there’s nobody too far gone, no one beyond God’s reach. God’s grace is better than that; God’s grace is stronger than that.
I encourage you to let God’s grace be sufficient for you as you trust in God’s grace, share God’s grace with others, and are transformed by God’s grace.
Have a great week and I will see you Sunday!
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Bible Challenge 09/15 - 09/21
Greetings All!
This week we continue with the prophet Jeremiah and move from the first section all the way through the fifth section. Chapters 26-29 are biographical material and deal with Jeremiah's interactions with other prophets. Chapters 30-33 contain God's promise of restoration including Jeremiah's "new covenant" which is interpreted differently in Judaism versus Christianity. Chapters 34-35 are mostly about interactions with Zedekiah and the fall of Jerusalem. Then finally, in the fifth section this week of chapters 46-51 we see the divine punishment to the nations surrounding Israel. I hope this helps with your reading.
Here is the schedule:
09/15, Sunday: Jeremiah 24-27
09/16, Monday: Jeremiah 28-31
09/17, Tuesday: Jeremiah 32-35
09/18, Wednesday: Jeremiah 36-39
09/19, Thursday: Jeremiah 40-43
09/20, Friday: Jeremiah 44-47
09/21, Saturday: Jeremiah 48-51
This week we continue with the prophet Jeremiah and move from the first section all the way through the fifth section. Chapters 26-29 are biographical material and deal with Jeremiah's interactions with other prophets. Chapters 30-33 contain God's promise of restoration including Jeremiah's "new covenant" which is interpreted differently in Judaism versus Christianity. Chapters 34-35 are mostly about interactions with Zedekiah and the fall of Jerusalem. Then finally, in the fifth section this week of chapters 46-51 we see the divine punishment to the nations surrounding Israel. I hope this helps with your reading.Here is the schedule:
09/15, Sunday: Jeremiah 24-27
09/16, Monday: Jeremiah 28-31
09/17, Tuesday: Jeremiah 32-35
09/18, Wednesday: Jeremiah 36-39
09/19, Thursday: Jeremiah 40-43
09/20, Friday: Jeremiah 44-47
09/21, Saturday: Jeremiah 48-51
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the
understanding and most importantly the living out of His holy word.
Amen.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Friday Fives
1. Preaching Series - This Sunday we will begin a new preaching series focusing on the life of the Apostle Paul. It’s very difficult to think of the New Testament without thinking about Paul, because so much of his influence and thought is found in the letters and epistles of the New Testament writings. His transformation from a man named Saul, who persecuted Christians, to a man named Paul, who became the great theologian of the early church, is perhaps one of the best-known stories in all of Scripture. Apart from Jesus, no single person influenced the history of the Christian community more than Paul did. This week we will look to how Paul’s teachings have formed the foundation upon which many of the disciplines of our faith are anchored and have proved to us that it is never too late to change. I encourage you to invite a friend and come and see how God has been working in our congregation!
2. Food 4 Kids - We are once again participating in the Food 4 Kids backpack program by sponsoring Shady Hill Elementary. Food 4 Kids was created in 2004 when it came to the attention of school teachers that many children were not being fed over the weekend. The "backpack program" as it's termed, was created to provide food for each child that qualifies at the school level for assistance. By volunteering to help fill these backpacks, you help ensure that children in Marion County do not go hungry over the weekend. Beginning in mid-September, we will meet at InterFaith on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 A.M. and fill the backpacks. With four people, this averages about 20 minutes to complete. I hope you will considering volunteering this year, with whatever time you can spare. If you are interested in helping please contact Debby Baugher.
3. Support for InterFaith - September 25th, from 11am - 9pm, Blue Highway Pizzeria will host a charity day for InterFaith. Blue Highway Pizzeria, located at 2130 E Silver Springs Blvd is a great new restaurant that has opened up recently here in Ocala. I have been several times and have never left disappointed, but always full! On the 25th, Blue Highway will donate 10% of the proceeds to InterFaith's Food 4 Kids program. I encourage you to grab your family and friends and go enjoy some great food, while helping a great cause. I hope to see you there!
4. Nursery Help - We are looking for people to help us staff our nursery on Sunday mornings. The numberof young people we have in the nursery is growing and needless to say, that is a good thing! If you are interested in helping Ms. Joy care for and teach our kids during worship, please let the church office know. You can email by clicking here, or call 629-5688. Thus far, we have had two people sign up and we are looking for at least eight. Remember the old adage, many hands make light work. I hope you will consider volunteering to help support this ministry.
5. October Newsletter - If you have an article that you would like included in the October Newsletter, please submit it to the office by next Sunday, September 22nd.
Advent Conspiracy Update - I have been incredibly moved at how this congregation has responded to support this challenge. Each week I will post an update of how much has been raised towards our goal. If you would like more information about this challenge and the charities that will be supported with the proceeds, please visit our website by clicking here.
Have a great week and I will see you Sunday!
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Midweek Moment
This past week we wrapped up our look at the Methodist Way by focusing on the aspect of Salty Service. I brought a block of salt to worship to help us visualize the impact this type of service can make in our lives and in the lives of others.
Bishop Schnase, the man largely responsible for helping us to refine our focus on Christian discipleship,keeps a blog on the Methodist Way. If you were to visit his blog you would not find the words, “Salty Service.” Rather, he refers to it as Risk-Taking Mission and Service and believes that “The personal practice of Risk-Taking Mission and Service involves offering ourselves in purposeful service to others in need, making a positive difference even at significant personal cost and inconvenience to our own lives. We offer ourselves, our gifts and abilities and passions, to God so God can use us to transform the world by relieving suffering. We serve.”
Salty service is about taking risks. It is about making a difference in the lives of others, not counting the personal cost for our own lives. It is about us serving others and being the salt seasoning that brings out the God flavors of this Earth. We are to be a portal by which other people can experience God’s love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. We are to be the conduit by which other people see God.
I know that may seem like a huge undertaking. But instead of looking at it as a task or undertaking, I invite you to look at it as a privilege. You have been asked by God, to be God’s representative. God trusts you implicitly to say the right words, have the right attitude, and be a truly wonderful ambassador for the Kingdom of God. You have been chosen, you have been selected, you have been created just for this task. Doesn’t that make you feel special? Not only have you been chosen, but you have been blessed and equipped with all the tools you will need to carry out this privilege. You have been given, by the power of the Holy Spirit, everything you will need to be a salty servant.
I do not want you to allow fear to keep you from sharing with others, everything God has given you. I do not want you gloss over the gifts you have been given and think they are unworthy or lack importance. Each of you are special, each of you are blessed. Each of you can be that salt seasoning that brings out the God flavors of this Earth.
On Sunday I offered everyone the chance to place a salty service card in an offering plate, if they had forgotten to do so earlier in the service. Currently we average 17 cards a week. This past week we collected 45!
I know you engage in Salty Service. I see it! I want us to continue to build upon our service culture and place those cards in the offering plate each week. Not just so some number can increase, but so all can see we are serious about being the salt of the Earth. I want this aspect of our congregational faith walk to be central and paramount in our lives. I want us to always look for ways bring out God’s presence in this life.
Each of you are God’s light, a light that should not be hidden, but that should shine for all the world to see God in you. So be that light in this world as we all work together build God’s Kingdom today.
Have a great week and I will see you Sunday!
Bishop Schnase, the man largely responsible for helping us to refine our focus on Christian discipleship,keeps a blog on the Methodist Way. If you were to visit his blog you would not find the words, “Salty Service.” Rather, he refers to it as Risk-Taking Mission and Service and believes that “The personal practice of Risk-Taking Mission and Service involves offering ourselves in purposeful service to others in need, making a positive difference even at significant personal cost and inconvenience to our own lives. We offer ourselves, our gifts and abilities and passions, to God so God can use us to transform the world by relieving suffering. We serve.”
Salty service is about taking risks. It is about making a difference in the lives of others, not counting the personal cost for our own lives. It is about us serving others and being the salt seasoning that brings out the God flavors of this Earth. We are to be a portal by which other people can experience God’s love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. We are to be the conduit by which other people see God.
I know that may seem like a huge undertaking. But instead of looking at it as a task or undertaking, I invite you to look at it as a privilege. You have been asked by God, to be God’s representative. God trusts you implicitly to say the right words, have the right attitude, and be a truly wonderful ambassador for the Kingdom of God. You have been chosen, you have been selected, you have been created just for this task. Doesn’t that make you feel special? Not only have you been chosen, but you have been blessed and equipped with all the tools you will need to carry out this privilege. You have been given, by the power of the Holy Spirit, everything you will need to be a salty servant.
I do not want you to allow fear to keep you from sharing with others, everything God has given you. I do not want you gloss over the gifts you have been given and think they are unworthy or lack importance. Each of you are special, each of you are blessed. Each of you can be that salt seasoning that brings out the God flavors of this Earth.
On Sunday I offered everyone the chance to place a salty service card in an offering plate, if they had forgotten to do so earlier in the service. Currently we average 17 cards a week. This past week we collected 45!
I know you engage in Salty Service. I see it! I want us to continue to build upon our service culture and place those cards in the offering plate each week. Not just so some number can increase, but so all can see we are serious about being the salt of the Earth. I want this aspect of our congregational faith walk to be central and paramount in our lives. I want us to always look for ways bring out God’s presence in this life.
Each of you are God’s light, a light that should not be hidden, but that should shine for all the world to see God in you. So be that light in this world as we all work together build God’s Kingdom today.
Have a great week and I will see you Sunday!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Bible Challenge 09/08 - 09/14
Greetings All!
This week's reading is all about the second prophetic book, Jeremiah - the man and the message.
Like Isaiah, Jeremiah was also a prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah and lived in Jerusalem. His name meant "Yahweh exalts" and sometimes he was called the "weeping prophet." He was the son of a priest from Anatot in the land of Benjamin and lived in the last years of the kingdom of Judah, witnessing its fall to Babylon including the destruction of Solomon's Temple. For twenty five years he had predicted God's coming judgment and tried some outrageous stunts to get people to listen to him and repent, but to no avail. We would consider that today to be a failure; and yet Jeremiah was not a failure because he was faithful to proclaim God's Word.
There are six main sections to this book. By the end of this week we'll have worked our way through most of the first section (chapters 1-25 dealing with the main part of Jeremiah's message). Next week we will get into more biographic material and Jeremiah's interactions with other prophets.
Here is the schedule:
08, Sunday: Isaiah 62-65
09, Monday: Isaiah 66 - Jeremiah 3
10, Tuesday: Jeremiah 4-7
11, Wednesday: Jeremiah 8-11
12, Thursday: Jeremiah 12-15
13, Friday: Jeremiah 16-19
14, Saturday: Jeremiah 20-23
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the understanding and most importantly the living out of His holy word. Amen.
This week's reading is all about the second prophetic book, Jeremiah - the man and the message.
Like Isaiah, Jeremiah was also a prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah and lived in Jerusalem. His name meant "Yahweh exalts" and sometimes he was called the "weeping prophet." He was the son of a priest from Anatot in the land of Benjamin and lived in the last years of the kingdom of Judah, witnessing its fall to Babylon including the destruction of Solomon's Temple. For twenty five years he had predicted God's coming judgment and tried some outrageous stunts to get people to listen to him and repent, but to no avail. We would consider that today to be a failure; and yet Jeremiah was not a failure because he was faithful to proclaim God's Word.
There are six main sections to this book. By the end of this week we'll have worked our way through most of the first section (chapters 1-25 dealing with the main part of Jeremiah's message). Next week we will get into more biographic material and Jeremiah's interactions with other prophets.
Here is the schedule:
08, Sunday: Isaiah 62-65
09, Monday: Isaiah 66 - Jeremiah 3
10, Tuesday: Jeremiah 4-7
11, Wednesday: Jeremiah 8-11
12, Thursday: Jeremiah 12-15
13, Friday: Jeremiah 16-19
14, Saturday: Jeremiah 20-23
May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing, the understanding and most importantly the living out of His holy word. Amen.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Friday Fives
1. Preaching Series - This Sunday we will conclude our series on the Methodist Way. Several years ago we spent time seeking to understand how these practices were calling us to live out our faith. This time around we are going to focus on how we have been living out these practices in our lives over the last several years. This Sunday our emphasis will be on the practice of Salty Service and how this informs all the other areas of our faith walk. I encourage you to invite a friend and come and see how God has been working in our congregation!
2. Food 4 Kids - We are once again participating in the Food 4 Kids backpack program by sponsoring Shady Hill Elementary. Food 4 Kids was created in 2004 when it came to the attention of school teachers that many children were not being fed over the weekend. The "backpack program" as it's termed, was created to provide food for each child that qualifies at the school level for assistance. By volunteering to help fill these backpacks, you help ensure that children in Marion County do not go hungry over the weekend. Beginning in mid-September, we will meet at InterFaith on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 A.M. and fill the backpacks. With four people, this averages about 20 minutes to complete. I hope you will considering volunteering this year, with whatever time you can spare. If you are interested in helping please contact Debby Baugher.
4. Nursery Help - We are looking for people to help us staff our nursery on Sunday mornings. The numberof young people we have in the nursery is growing and needless to say, that is a good thing! If you are interested in helping Ms. Joy care for and teach our kids during worship, please let the church office know. You can email by clicking here, or call 629-5688. Thus far, we have had two people sign up and we are looking for at least eight. Remember the old adage, many hands make light work. I hope you will consider volunteering to help support this ministry.
5. Night of Hope - Saturday, September 14th, from 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. at Citizens Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave., Marion County Children's Alliance, will host an evening of hope and healing for families that have lost someone to suicide. There will be live music, a time for sharing, and a light up ceremony in remembrance of our loved ones. If you have walked this path or know someone who has, please invite them to this event, and even offer to go with them. More information can be found on a flier in this week's bulletin.
Advent Conspiracy Update - I have been incredibly moved at how this congregation has responded to support this challenge. Each week I will post an update of how much has been raised towards our goal. If you would like more information about this challenge and the charities that will be supported with the proceeds, please visit our website by clicking here.
Have a great weekend and I will see you Sunday!
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Midweek Moment
I love to see God at work. I love to be left in awe of how the Holy Spirit moves within us. Sometimes you find yourself in a situation where the Holy Spirit is so powerful; it is not a matter of if something is going to happen, but when it will happen. Other times, it may sneak up on you and come out of nowhere. Regardless of how it happens, we should always be ready to answer when God calls.
Last night, Debbie went for a run. Usually this is a family affair with Debbie and I running and the boys
following us on their bikes. However, with my recent ear surgery I cannot bounce all of that around with running right now. Therefore, Debbie simply intended to go solo. As she began her stretching routine, Wesley figured out what was happening and asked if he could go with her. She told him to put on his bike helmet and she would love the company. He quickly objected and said that he did not want to ride his bike, he wanted to run. Both of us were very surprised but Debbie agreed to try it. Neither of us figured he could last the whole 30-45 minutes of one of Debbie’s running workouts. But we stretched him out, gave him a water bottle, put an iPod on his arm, plugged in his headphones, and they were off. Folks, this five year old ran the whole thing and LOVED it!
Not only did he love it, he did a great job. Debbie never had to stop or slow down to wait on him as he kept up with her the whole time. If Debbie and I stuck to our initial thoughts, we would have made him stay home. But given the opportunity, Wesley showed us he was capable of more than we thought he could handle.
If it has not happened already, the Holy Spirit is going to call you. If you have not heard that voice yet, God is going to seek you out. You have been blessed with gifts and graces for a purpose on this Earth and God wants to puts those gifts to work. Some of you may know your gifts, while others of you may be surprised at your gifts. I want to encourage you to not undersell yourselves. If God calls you to a task, God has equipped you for it. While it may be more than you can handle, it is never more than God can handle.
When God calls, trust in the Holy Spirit and go knowing you are not alone. Go, knowing that God is with you. Go, knowing that God has called you and will guide you through it. Go, with intention and faith. After all, it may one of the greatest adventures of your life!
Have a great week and I will see you Sunday!
Last night, Debbie went for a run. Usually this is a family affair with Debbie and I running and the boys following us on their bikes. However, with my recent ear surgery I cannot bounce all of that around with running right now. Therefore, Debbie simply intended to go solo. As she began her stretching routine, Wesley figured out what was happening and asked if he could go with her. She told him to put on his bike helmet and she would love the company. He quickly objected and said that he did not want to ride his bike, he wanted to run. Both of us were very surprised but Debbie agreed to try it. Neither of us figured he could last the whole 30-45 minutes of one of Debbie’s running workouts. But we stretched him out, gave him a water bottle, put an iPod on his arm, plugged in his headphones, and they were off. Folks, this five year old ran the whole thing and LOVED it!
Not only did he love it, he did a great job. Debbie never had to stop or slow down to wait on him as he kept up with her the whole time. If Debbie and I stuck to our initial thoughts, we would have made him stay home. But given the opportunity, Wesley showed us he was capable of more than we thought he could handle.
If it has not happened already, the Holy Spirit is going to call you. If you have not heard that voice yet, God is going to seek you out. You have been blessed with gifts and graces for a purpose on this Earth and God wants to puts those gifts to work. Some of you may know your gifts, while others of you may be surprised at your gifts. I want to encourage you to not undersell yourselves. If God calls you to a task, God has equipped you for it. While it may be more than you can handle, it is never more than God can handle.
When God calls, trust in the Holy Spirit and go knowing you are not alone. Go, knowing that God is with you. Go, knowing that God has called you and will guide you through it. Go, with intention and faith. After all, it may one of the greatest adventures of your life!
Have a great week and I will see you Sunday!
Sunday, September 1, 2013
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