On our walk. . . . . August 1, 2007

Pastor’s Message –

Deuteronomy 15: 7-11

“If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debt, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the Lord against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in everything you put your hand to. There always will be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.”

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Last Wednesday was July 25^th – just five more months until Christmas. I know many of you have already started to think about Christmas presents for your loved ones. I know Jane has! Think about the amount you have planned to spend for these gifts. Is there some percentage of that amount that you could match for a gift to those in our community who are in need? Could you give more than just a little – maybe even half of what you spend? I am not asking you to deprive your families. Talk it over with them. Get them involved. Make it a family decision. Remember that John Wesley said, “Earn all you can, give all you can and save all you can.”

Last week we heard about the poorest of our community. They are lost souls, separated from Christ – many through their own weaknesses – but separated just the same. If you can’t spare much from your budget to help those in need, perhaps you could give an hour of your time each week to help at the Shepherd’s Inn. Perhaps you could do a bible study, or just spend time talking with one of the residents. Helping them learn the right way to live. Letting them know that people do care about them and love them. Many of these people have not had a proper parent figure. They need guidance and someone to show them the face of Christ.

We can make a difference as we care for our brothers, our sisters, and our children in need. As disciples of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will enable us to help “make poverty history.” What do you think? Can we start in this direction? The choice is yours!

God Bless.

Upcoming Events – August 1 – August 8, 2007

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Prayer Meeting @ Williams @ 5:45 PM

Choir Practice @ Williams @ 6:30 PM

Saturday, August 4, 2007

Men’s Breakfast @ Antioch @ 8:00 AM

Weenie Roast @ Antioch @ 6:00 PM

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Council Meeting @ Antioch @ 7:00 PM

Antioch – Loving Hearts

The members of Antioch United Methodist Church Showed their true love of their fellow man and of our Lord, Jesus Christ. While I was away they heard of a situation where a father was to be separated from his daughter because of living conditions. The Dept. of Social Services had decided that their current living facilities did not meet the requirements as stated by the State. In order to keep this family together our church came together and is supplying the family with a trailer that does meet the state requirements. They had a clean up evening and between 12 to 15 of our members gathered on a Wednesday night to scrub down the trailer. The reports were that the trailer is sparkling and everybody had a good time working on this project. Your love of your community has really shone through on this endeavor as well as your love of God.

Cookbooks are still available. If you would like to purchase one, please contact Susan Moseley at 676-2081, Gayle Grant at 676-3531, or Trudy Wilkins at 676-4458. The committee has received 300 more copies so we will have many to sell.

150^th Anniversary Throws We still have several throws to sell. The cost is $45.00 each. Please call Jane DiStefano if you would like to order a throw or have any questions. 434-676-2314

Sunday School is available each Sunday morning. The importance of Sunday School is that, though you may think hearing the word will suffice for you, you really need to be in attendance at Sunday School to gather all the information that you can in an open discussion classroom. Jesus’ word cannot be totally understood just by listening to a sermon. You have to interact with it and with other Christians to learn what He was saying to us. This is a life long study and you should take part. There is a class for every age so please plan on joining us to learn more about our Lord, Jesus Christ. Sunday School at Williams begins at 10:45 AM and at Antioch at 10:00 AM.

Evening Bible Study. We will be starting our Evening Bible study on August 13, at 7:00PM. All those who wish to attend and take part in this journey are asked to bring a notebook and a bible with them. If you have a study bible bring that.

Rememberance

To the Families of Lona Parham and Florence Callis go our deepest regards. These two wonderful people and icons of Antioch made the final journey to be with the Lord during the month of July. They will not only be missed by their families but by their church family as well. Though they will be missed let’s all remember that they are with the Father and let us rejoice not only in their lives but the fact they are with the Lord.

The Methodist Way

Methodists are a connectional people. When one joins a local United Methodist Church one joins the entire denomination. Connectionalism in the United Methodist tradition is multi-leveled, global in scope, and local in thrust. Our connectionalism is not merely a linkage of one charge conference to another. It is rather a vital web of interactive relationships organinzed both practically and theologically. The way we do things, the practicality, is found in our “Book of Discipline” and our theology is found in “The United Methodist Hymnal” and “The United Methodist Book of Worship”.

“Being Methodist in the Bible Belt” F.Belton Joyner, Jr.

If you cannot reach Rev. Ed at the parsonage, you may call him on his cell phone: 252-532-0952. He can also be reached via e-mail at revedumc@yahoo.com If you would like to receive e-mail messages from the pastor send an e-mail to him at revedumc@yahoo.com and we will add you to our list.

LIFT OFF!

Vacation Bible School. A Vacation Bible School entitled “Lift Off” will take place in the Lunenburg Charge. It is scheduled for August 6 – 10 at Williams UMC. Have your children become “Sky Scouts.” Let them take off on each day at 9:00 AM and land at 1:00 PM knowing more about God’s love. There are registration forms at each church, or you can call Ida Bowen at 434-447-4375.

Please keep the following families in your prayers:

Marjorie Thompson	Eddie Slagle	Bertha Arthur
Frances Hawthorne	Sarah Agnes Callis	Jeffrey Hendricks
Earl "Chuckie” Barnes	Jack Heater	Micky Narron
Edna & Wilson Bagley	Gayle Grant	Thomas Taylor
“B” & Teewah Hayes	Christian Sutton	Paul & Argy Turner
Elizabeth Biggerstaff	Garland Parham	Bible School
Robert & Virginia Overby	Sheila Cage	Grace DiStefano
Family of Lona Parham	Sara Sutton	Jean Parham
Melvin L. Crutchfield	Allen Green	Tommy Cage
Ellen & John Gentry	Sue Barnes	Shepherd’s Inn
Yvette Morris & Family	Maria Kay	C. V. Thompson
Frank Callis and Family	David King	Allie Daniel
Rev. & Mrs. Robert Day	Jane Doty	Joe Coleman
Elizabeth Crowder	Jeff Bacon	Our Military
Audrey Glassock & family	Debbie House

Remember:

If you worry, you didn’t pray. If you prayed, don’t worry.

Have a Blessed Week

If you like to see more pictures of the 150^Th Anniversary please go to our web site antiochmethodistchurch.org/onefifty David Arthur has posted many more pictures there of the celebration

Pictures of the Clean up.