Lunenburg United Methodist Charge
Antioch UMC Williams UMC
On our walk. . . . .
October 8, 2008
Acts 13:1-3
In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the Tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
1 Corinthians 16: 5-9
After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you for I will be going through Macedonia. Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.
Can you imagine the church in Jerusalem being called "a nice church?" NO…THEY WERE EFFECTIVELY CHANGING THEIR WORLD. THEY WERE CAUSING CONFLICT WITH AUTHORITIES. THEY WERE CAUSING PROBLEMS IN FAMILIES. THEY WERE TURNING THEIR WORLD UPSIDE DOWN!!! This is the role of the church in the world…to challenge, to call people to follow Jesus and change communities. God is calling us to MISSION!!!
I have heard from people…even those who don’t attend church…that we are a "nice" church. How can we move from being a "nice" church…to a church that makes a difference?
A LOCAL CHURCH THAT IS NOT MISSION MINDED IS BY DEFINITION NOT A CHURCH!
It’s a religious club that makes little or no impact on the world. When you read the book of Acts we see a church of action and one that was concerned with the spread of the word of God and Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is one of the keys that made them effective…this is why they made so many lives miserable…This is why the world was changed!!!!
NOTICE TWO THINGS ABOUT THIS CHURCH IN THIS READING IN ACTS….
1. They had people working under the leadership of the Holy Spirit…they had prophets and teachers 2. They were praying and fasting….seeking God’s will for them. Here they are seeking God’s will for them…God’s command… THIS LAUNCHED THE CHURCH INTO THE WORLD
IN THE SECOND READING PAUL IS WRITING THE CORINTHIANS ABOUT HIS THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY. He’s tired…he’s been on two other missionary journeys with no break….he’s been preaching, starting churches, facing opposition, sometimes even having to flee from those wanting to kill him. He’s hoping to take that break and come to Corinth to rest for a while….HOWEVER, he says, "a great door for effective work has opened to me.” What happens is Paul stays here for another 3 years! Not only did God use Paul to start a great church in Ephesus, but while he was there many more churches were started all around…Ephesus became a major Christian Center
NOW THE POINT I WANT TO MAKE IS THIS: WHEN PAUL SAW AN OPPORTUNITY HE TOOK IT! Ephesus was a big city, a major financial and commercial center and a rich city….BUT IT WAS HOME TO THE TEMPLE OF DIANA. This was a place of immorality and legalized prostitution. It was a city full of superstitious people. BUT WHEN PAUL SAW THE CITY AND SAW ALL THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THERE HE SAW OPPORTUNITY TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL! Do we have a door of opportunity….YOU BET WE DO!!!! In the history of this area we have an opportunity to touch so many people with the Gospel of Jesus. God is giving us a chance to seize the moment to catch the vision of what can be….are we ready to do it?
Have a blessed week Rev. Ed
This Weeks Event:
Monday, Oct. 13
Bible Study @ Antioch @ 7:00 PM
Tuesday, Oct. 14
Bible Study @ Audrey Smith’s @ 10:00 AM
Lay Leadership Committee (Nominating) @Antioch @ 7:00PM
Wednesday, Oct. 15
Prayer Meeting @ Williams @ 5:45 PM
Choir Practice @ Williams @ 6:30 PM
Worship Events –Sept 21
Worship theme: Risk Taking Mission and Service
Hebrew Text: Micah 6: 6-8
Sermon Text: Matt 25: 31-46
The flowers on the altar are given by Henry Lee and Marianne Cundiff
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UMW Stew - A Success
On Saturday, October 4th the United Methodist Women sponsored a stew. 278 quarts were made and sold. It was a great time of fellowship as many of us gathered to take turns stirring while stew master Earl Callis put the ingredients together to make a great stew. The UMW thanks all who came out to help and hopes that all who purchased stew enjoy it.
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 continue on Oct 12 at 7:00PM at Antioch. We will be reviewing Book of Ezra. 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 continue on Oct 13 at 10:00AM at Audrey Smith’s house. We will be reviewing I Chronicles 1-10. 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.
Lay Leadership (Nominating) Committee will meet Oct. 14th @ Antioch @ 7:00 PM
Antioch Administrative Council to meet on Oct 28th @ 7:00PM
The Church Council will meet on Tuesday Oct. 28 @ 7:00PM. There will be a discussion of several items concerning the church as we prepare for charge conference. If you have a subject you would like to discuss please let Rev Ed know so he can place it on the agenda for that night. The Council is the governing body of the church and as such will make decisions for the church. If you want to be part of the voice of your church please come and hear what your church is planning and approving. It is hoped that all committees and boards will be represented at this meeting. This is where your voice can be heard.
If you cannot reach Rev. Ed at the parsonage, you can call him on his cell phone: 252-532-0952. He can also be reached via e-mail at revedumc@yahoo.com . Also, Rev. Ed will on vacation on Oct 18, 19, 20. He will be close enough that if he is needed he can be reached by calling his cell phone.
Prayer List
Please keep the following families in your prayers:
Marjorie Thompson
Christian Sutton
Rebecca Kelley
Sarah Agnes Callis
Sheila Cage
Jeff Hendricks
Earl "Chucky” Barnes
Sara Sutton
Nathan Hendricks
Edna A. Bagley
Our Military
Maria Kay
Ellen & John Gentry
Charles Floyd
David Jones
Becky Eades & boys
Edith Parham
Dee Welch
Frances Hawthorne
Tommy Cage
Bernard Bottoms
JoAnne Doty
Grace DiStefano
Amanda Dalton
Rachel Whitt
Tom Tanner
Betty Reese
CV & Agnes Thompson
Doug Winn
Betty Roegge
Elizabeth Crowder
Martha Dalton
Beth Doty
Margaret J. Conner
Buddy Christian
Audrey Glassock
Maggie Clark
Virginia Overby
Jesse Edmonds
Elizabeth Biggerstaff
Adelle Carter
Alicia Clary
Alyene Neal
Tom Fowler
Virginia King
Layton Powell
Brenda Napier
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.
Thought You Would Like To Know
God has seen you struggling (with something), God says it's over. A blessing is coming your way. If you believe in God share your love!J
Have a blessed week
