Lunenburg United Methodist Charge
Antioch UMC Williams UMC
On our walk. . . . .
September 3, 2008
Ephesians 5:6- 14
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
I was just thinking of all the negative responses that you always here in churches so I thought we could turn some of them around. Here are a few examples:
Why would we do that? Why wouldn't we do that?
We tried that before. Let's try it again and this time, try it this way!
That won't work! How can we make it work?
That's an imposition on the family! How can we help the family so it won't be stressful?
You know too many people have a half empty glass instead of a half full glass. When Jesus was on the cross he didn't say, "I've already done enough" .... he said, "your will not mine be done." When we try a new program or event, why is it we always hear certain members of our churches coming up with these age old negativisms? If we as the body of Christ can’t look at the possibility of success why do we even have a church?!! I know these are some pretty harsh words, but if we are to be the body of Christ, then we need to live as the body of Christ; to do as the body of Christ; to love as the body of Christ..
Things are crazy for everyone, but if we all work and pray together and agree to stop and smell the roses instead of whining that they are dead and we missed them - then maybe all of our cups will be half full and our churches will be successful as we journey with Christ.
Have a blessed week Rev. Ed
This Weeks Event:
Saturday, Sept 6
Men’s Breakfast @ Antioch @ 8:00 AM
Monday, Sept 8
Bible Study @ Antioch @ 7:00 PM
Tuesday, Sept 9
Bible Study @ Audrey Smith’s @ 10:00 AM
Wednesday, Sept 10
Prayer Meeting @ Williams @ 5:45 PM
Choir Practice @ Williams @ 6:30 PM
Worship Events –Sept 7
This week’s reading will be: Sermon Text – 1 Peter 4:7 - 11
Hebrew Text – Isaiah 55:1-5
Communion
Willliams Vacation Bible School
31 children and just as many adult leaders enjoyed a week of Bible study and fun. A beach party was had and in order to bring the beach to Williams an inflatable water slide was brought in. Along with the studies and the slide crafts were the items of the day. A great time was had by all. Water was everywhere and sand was in many bathing suits. Thanks and blessings go to Barbara Reese and her team for a well planned week.
The Great Give Away
Saturday, August 23 rd dawned clear. Everybody gathered at 7:00 AM to bring out the goods that Antioch was going to give away. At 7:30 the first of approximately 300 people showed up and the items, ranging from infant to adult clothes, new and old, electronics (tv’s, radios, toaster ovens, computers, etc), furniture starting leaving the parking lot. By noon all but 2 of the 19 pickup truckloads was gone as well as the 50 bags of school supplies. What was left was sent to the Shepherd’s Inn for their use. It was an extremely fulfilling day as we reached out to the least of our community with love. Thanks go the outreach, mission, and family ministries committees and the volunteers who helped.
The Senior Luncheon
Wednesday, September 17 will be the inaugural Senior Luncheon. It will start at 12 noon and last about 11/2 hours. A lunch of chicken, potatos, green beans and cake will be served. Entertainment by John Gentry and Wayne Hendricks will follow the meal. This is a time for the seniors of our charge to get together and visit once again with their friends. We hope to make this a bi-monthly event. If you know of someone who would like to have lunch with an old friend and reminisce, please let Wayne Hendricks know as invitations will be going out next week
Youth Campout
Saturday, September 13 will be the Williams Youth Group Annual Campout. It will start at 5:00PM and will end Sunday morning. Campfire. marshmallows, hotdogs on sticks and friends will be there. If you have a youngster who would enjoy the company of others and learn about Jesus, bring them over to Williams. For more information contact Barbara Reese.
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 Evening Bible study will resume on Sept 8 at 7:00PM at Antioch. We will be reviewing I Kings 12-22. We will discuss the events depicted in the book. If you are looking for a study of God’s word join us not only for the study, but good fellowship.
Morning Bible Study Morning Bible study will resume on Sept 8 at 10:00AM at Audrey Smith’s house. We will be reviewing I Kings 12-22. We will discuss the events depicted in the book. If you are looking for a study of God’s word join us not only for the study, but good fellowship.
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 .
Please keep the following families in your prayers:
Marjorie Thompson
Christian Sutton
Peggy Thompson
Dee Welch
Sarah Agnes Callis
Sheila Cage
Jeff Hendricks
Rene & Anthony Huff
Earl "Chucky” Barnes
Sara Sutton
Nathan Hendricks
Tom Wisbey
Edna A. Bagley
Our Military
Maria Kay
Russell Slayton
Ellen & John Gentry
Betty Potts
Frances Hawthorne
Dr. Joseph Ilacqua
Becky Eades & boys
Edith Parham
Elizabeth Biggerstaff
Bertha Arthur
Unspoken
Tommy Cage
Bernard Bottoms
Dorothy Shields
Doug Heflin
Grace DiStefano
Elizabeth Reese
Wayne Grant
Kathy Anderson
E.T.Harrell & Family
Harmon King
Ashley Grant
CV & Agnes Thompson
Junior McHenry
Jarod Bolter
Cathy Lanier
Gerry Lutz
Tee Jones
Mark Mc Henry
Margaret J. Conner
Bonnie & Junior Conley
Jason Mc Reynolds
Margaret Smith
Mrs Beck
Virginia Overby
Jesse Edmonds
Layton Powell
Just a Note: When I was appointed to this charge one of the requests that was made of me was to keep the Antioch Men’s Breakfast going. Now as I enter my third year we have experienced a dramatic drop in the number of men who attend the breakfast. If you would like to join us for breakfast and fellowship please do! We meet the first Saturday of each month at 8:00 AM and we are willing to cook if there are enough men to join the five or six regulars who attend. Our next breakfast is scheduled for Sept 6; Hope to see you there!!
Prayer Gram.
Please, when putting somebody’s name on our prayer list, PRINT their names and addresses if you have them. This will help us get the prayer grams out sooner and it will also make it easier to read during services.
The Methodist Way – Will Return Next Week
Just a bit of humor:
Ø A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, "I know what the Bible means!" His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means?" The son replied, "I do know!" "Okay," said his father. "What does the Bible mean?" "That's easy, Daddy." the young boy replied excitedly, "It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.'
Ø Ask someone to join us in worship. Have a blessed week
