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THIS IS WHAT THE CHURCH IS ALL ABOUT
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| THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY WILL SEE YOU, THE PEOPLE OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, BEING THE IDEAL INCARNATION OF THE BODY OF CHRIST, THE CHURCH. Between celebrating the life of a long-time truly devoted member of our church on Saturday at 11:00am in our Fellowship Hall, the baptism of an entire family during worship on Sunday morning, the exchange of vows that will immediately follow that baptismal ritual, praying over a new ministry of our United Methodist Women to enable their missions ministries, and gathering in our Fellowship Hall immediately after worship to celebrate God's work in baptism in marriage, we will be truly living out our calling to be the Christian community.
I feel confident in saying we've never had a weekend like this in the over 115 years of ministry our congregation has been active, and I know that I've never experienced this kind of weekend in my 43+ years as part of The United Methodist Church.
As you catch below a glimpse of what is coming, I hope and pray that we will see you all this weekend, because this is what life in the church is all about. For any self-proclaimed 'old-school' United Methodists, this is a weekend not to be missed (or else it might be time to retire your 'old-school' badge) as there is nothing more old-school than celebrating together these milestones of life through gathering to worship and praise God as we support and encourage one another in the way that leads to life eternal.
Grace and Peace, Lamar |
| | IN LOVING MEMORY OF CHARLIE STOUT
ALL are welcome to join us Saturday, June 1, 2019, in our Fellowship Hall for a time of giving thanks to God for the life of Charlie Stout. We will gather to share stories, break bread, and offer our love and support to Merle and the Stout family. |
| | WORSHIP THIS WEEK
We conclude our Easter Revelations series this week by embracing, in a non-coercive manner, the ultimate reality found in Revelation's final chapter, the reality that while Christ has not yet come again in glory, the day is surely coming.
It might be very tempting to look at this as a way to engage in fear-mongering 'turn-or-burn' demagoguery that accomplishes little more than telling people we worship a God of fear. To do this, however, causes us to turn our backs on another angle to this story - the joy of knowing that we still have time to live out the Christian life and witness in a manner that leads others to knowing the life-giving redemptive grace that is found only in Christ.
Unfortunately, it can be very easy for us to look at the world in which we live and be a bunch of 'nattering nabobs of negativity' who have the mindset the world is going to hades in a handbasket and there is no hope. To succumb to this manner of thinking is contrary to the gospel of Christ.
Come join us, and bring a friend!
Grace and Peace, Lamar |
| | THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE LESSON SELECTED VERSES FROM REVELATION 22
"See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone's work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.
"It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let everyone who hears say, "Come." And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.
The one who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.
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A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT THIS SUNDAY'S SERVICE FROM THIS WEEK'S BULLETIN
LET’S GET IT OUT OF THE WAY NOW - Yes, it is out of the norm to come to a regular Sunday worship service and wind up participating in a Ritual of Christian Marriage immediately preceded by celebrating the baptism of the couple getting married (along with the baptism of their son.) However, it is not out of step with our understanding of marriage or baptism, as these are acts of worship by not only the individuals involved but most especially the community of faith gathered around them during these important rituals.
Christian marriage is proclaimed as a sacred covenant reflecting the Baptismal Covenant. Both words and actions consistently reflect the belief that husband and wife are equal partners in Christian marriage and that they are entering into the marriage of their own volition. Those present are understood to be an active congregation rather than simply passive witnesses. They give their blessing to the couple and to the marriage, and they join in prayer and praise.
The decision to perform the ceremony is the right and responsibility of the pastor, in accordance with the laws of the state and The United Methodist Church. All plans are to be approved by the pastor. The pastor is charged with providing "due counsel with the parties involved" prior to marriage, mandated by The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church.
Johnny Muma and Sarah Miller have been active in the ministries of our congregation for quite some time - Johnny as our custodian and Sarah as part of our Methodist Children’s Learning Center staff as well as working in our nursery on Sunday mornings. Their son, LJ, has been at home in our congregation as part of our MCLC and our various children’s ministries.
We are deeply humbled that the Lord our God has brought Johnny, Sarah, and LJ into our community of faith, and are overjoyed to take part in God’s work through the rituals of this service.
You will see in the baptism liturgy vows we, the church, make to those being baptized. Johnny, Sarah, and LJ have come to know and follow Christ in large part because you fulfilled this sacred promise:
Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include these persons now before you in your care?
With God’s help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround these persons with a community of love and forgiveness, that they may grow in their trust of God, and be found faithful in their service to others.
We will pray for them, that they may be true disciples who walk in the way that leads to life. |
| | PENTECOST SUNDAY CONFIRMATION SUNDAY JUNE 9, 2019 @ 10:00AM |
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