Today will be my first Sunday at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church. I have very mixed feelings as I step in the Sanctuary for the first time. I have one goal for today, not to throw-up on the nice Sanctuary carpet! I have feelings of great anticipation and excitement at the opportunity to work with […]
“Jesus called a child, whom he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:2-3 4:1 These are pretty strong words that don’t get a lot of attention in a hyper-competitive and success-driven culture. Yet it may be […]
For many years now I’ve wanted to send you a Christmas gift to celebrate your life, for all the times you’ve watched over me and for the all ways you’ve inspired me, but there always seemed to be something that got in the way, and as you already know I’m the […]
We live in a hyper-competitive world where celebrity and champions are singled out at the highest achievement of success. This means, of course, that 99% of the world’s population are not successful and struggling to reach the top. Is this really the way life was meant to be, struggle all your life, accumulate all you can, […]
Each parable Jesus uses is meant to illuminate some spiritual principle or value unique to the Kingdom of God that we don’t really understand very well by getting us to engage in a story that we do understand and perhaps have even lived. Parables usually begin by saying something like, “The Kingdom of God is […]
The Purpose of the Parables “Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” (v. 17). – Matthew 13:12–17 What is the purpose of parables? Jesus tells us in Matthew 15:12–15 that He speaks in parables […]
Every church I’ve ever known has been plagued by division, complaining and factions that tug and pull at the heart and soul of the Gospel often leaving it in tatters. People outside the church who are looking for something to believe in see what is happening and believe the Gospel of Jesus, a […]
Does Membership really matter? We live in an age of skepticism and individualism. So naturally we are skeptical of the Church and see little if any reason to sacrifice our individual freedoms by placing ourselves under the authority of a church, imperfect and flawed as it is. So is it really necessary? ABSOLUTELY. When you […]
Everyone needs to belong to someone, somewhere that gives each day a reason. Without belonging or connecting to others in deep meaning relationships, we become lonely, isolated and depressed. This depressions destroys our health, saps our energy and makes a mockery of our hopes and dreams. When God created Heaven and Earth, He looked at […]
W. C. Fields once said, “I never want to belong to any organization that would have someone like me for a member!” W. C. Fields is known for his bar room humor and his disarming charm as an irrepressible drunk. His humor was based on his ability to say out loud what most people were […]
I know, I know… I’ve heard it a million time, “there is no perfect church and if there was one, we would ruin it by joining it.” I am here to say I disagree. There is a perfect church, and I’ve found it. If that doesn’t get your attention and make you want to read […]
Satisfy- to fulfill the minimum expectations, needs, or demands It’s hard not to have an Easter hangover. I get caught up in our Lenten studies, engaged in the events of the Passion of Christ leading to a special sunrise on Easter morning. So it’s probably not surprising that I find myself on Monday morning scratching my head and wondering what […]
Have you ever thought of your life as a miracle? No? Why not? You should you know. Have you ever thought of your daily routine as a gift, a privileged, or as a journey worth sharing? No? Why not? Have you bought into Solomon’s curse “and there’s nothing new under the sun”? Over the past 100 […]
The Three Simple Rules Life can be complicated at times. We often feel scattered and overwhelmed. We come to church seeking peace and direction. We come hoping to gain perspective and fulfillment. Drawing parallels between Wesley’s time and the world today, the feelings of disenfranchisement, doubt and fear are much the same. But Wesley’s three […]
I wait. Year after year, generation after generation I’ve been here, waiting, watching and hoping. I’ve watched so many climb these steps as the bell rang through the streets. I’ve watched generations pass by on their way to and from school and wondered if they knew why I was here. I’ve watch as horses gave […]
The story of Jesus healing the paralytic in Mark 2:1-14 is more than just another example of Jesus’ power of healing and restoration, it is also the dedication and compassion of a group that brought this paralytic to Jesus. It is not enough to know the truth if you never do anything with it. It […]
Have you ever felt hungry, yet nothing sounded good to you. You have a craving that needs to be satisfied, but don’t know for what. Have you ever tried everything and yet nothing completely. We really can’t live on appetizers alone, at some point we need to bite down. “The point of having […]
Please welcome these new members to the covenant of fellowship found here at First United Methodist Church. [slideshare id=12587903&doc=welcomenewmembers04-01-12-120418073804-phpapp01] Related posts: Images of a Church Picnic Leadership Development Team Centennial Moment X Staff Parish Relations Team
A Gift from God an Affirmation of Faith A Promise Forever! “People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.” ~ C.S. Lewis Life is a series of Remembrances (1) What you’ve learned – know to be true (tests & trials) “I once was lost, but now I found, was blind but […]
I know that there are hundreds of different ways to describe the church as it exists today, some good, some not so good. This ambiguity leaves many confused and struggling to create a definition all their own, often with disastrous consequences. I though I would give several definitions a try. See which one describes you best and then take a stab […]
By G. JEFFREY MacDONALD, Published: August 7, 2010, Swampscott, Mass. THE American clergy is suffering from burnout, several new studies show. And part of the problem, as researchers have observed, is that pastors work too much. Many of them need vacations, it’s true. But there’s a more fundamental problem that no amount of rest and relaxation […]
The Cross enforces three truths: about ourselves, about God, and about Jesus Christ. 1. Our Sin must be extremely horrible. Nothing reveals the gravity of sin like the Cross. For ultimately what sent Christ there was neither the greed of Judas, nor the envy of the priests, nor the vacillating cowardice […]
Following Jesus is never as easy as some would have you think. If you are experiencing times of doubt, troubles, grief, anxiety, fear, and depression, you are in company with the Apostle Paul, Peter, John the Baptist, David, Moses, Abraham, Sarah, Joseph … well you get the pictures. Life is difficult and being a […]
Here are some of my favorite quotes about how precious and how wonderful the Church can and should be. I hope it stimulates some deeper thinking about your relationship to the Church and why you feel the way you do. Famous Church Quotes The True Church can never fail. For it is based upon […]
There seems to be a movement these days to separate spirituality from community. As if a personal, private encounter Christ is better than dealing with others at church. Nothing could be further from the truth. We were made to live in community, to practice the skills of forgiveness, grace and love and in the process […]
Church is born out of forgiveness, grace and love. Not just flowing from Jesus to you, but from you into others! The Church then is a conduit, an overlap of Heaven and Earth in which the prayer “Thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven” is fulfilled, at least temporarily. Is this conduit […]
God, What do you want to do through me this year with the life and gifts you’ve given me? Stewardship as a way of life has amazing implications for our relationships and our daily lives. It expands the horizons of our world and provides direction and focus to our busy lives. When we commit ourselves to […]
All people long for God. Period. Some may say the exact opposite, but our desires, actions and values suggest something completely different. We all long to connect with something greater than ourselves, we long for the heart of God. There is simply no better way to connect with God than to learn who God is […]
Whitewater Rafting trip on the Lower New River, West Virginia August 13, 2011 Steve Gedon, Alex Gedon, Ron Anderson, Kalie Anderson, Bob Welch, Julie McCauley, Joselyn (guide) Related posts: 2010 Family Christmas Letter 2004 Flood Pictures Christmas 2005 Images of a Church Picnic
Week of September 11, 2011 On September 11, 2001 we experienced evil on a scale never imagined. Thousands died, 10s of thousands more were left to grieve over the loss of a parent, child, spouse or friend. This Sunday we remember the 9/11 Tragedy and rededicate ourselves to confront evil in our world with truth, […]
To what extent are we a Christian community? According to William Willimon, Bishop of the Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church, We are Christian to the extent that we conform to and are confronted by the Word of God. In Romans 12, Paul advises his readers not to be conformed to the pattern of […]
2011 First United Methodist Church Picnic A special Thanks to all those who came, shared their time and good nature, and generally enjoyed each other’s company. Church is about so much more than a place on the map, it is what’s at the heart of God’s people when they gather because of Him. Related posts: […]
Week of May 1, 2011 One of the first ways you can celebrate your new relationship with God is to be baptized in water because this act of faith is important to Him. There are four key reasons to be baptized in water after you have become rightly relationship to God through His gift […]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arxfLK_sd68&feature=player_embedded] I hope you enjoy this video; I found it helpful and challenging. The purpose of the Missional church is to equip those who attend on Sunday morning to take the church to the community. Instead of having altar calls and invitations giving by professional clergy, the church experience is to engage, equipp and encourage […]
For Them – Every Child deserves a chance to experience, explore and embrace God’s love in and among God’s people. When children see real life men and women living as disciples, they are encouraged to learn about God’s dream for their lives too. They deserve to have a place where people give generously of the time, talents and […]
July 17, 2011 We drastically underestimate the power of sin. Sin, by its nature, hides itself. It crouches at your door; it always looks smaller than it is. Your sins are not done with you when you think you are done with them. But there is hope in the gospel. Why do we […]
Week of July 10, 2011 Sin is more than just an action to be avoided, it is a power that is released in our lives that continues to enslave and choke the life out of us. In this passage from Number, God’s people are addicted to the pleasures of Egypt even though they hate the […]
My Membership Covenant Today I am stepping across the line. I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering; I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in and my decision is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There’s no turning back now! I will live the rest of my life serving God’s will with God’s people […]
Staff Parish Relations Team Communicate between the church staff and the church body on personnel issues and ministry focus. Make recommendations to Church Council on regarding staffing needs Confer with, consult, and counsel the pastor and staff on matters pertaining to the effective use of gifts, skills, and time to fulfill the mission and ministry […]
Leadership Development Team The charge conference elects members for the committee on nominations and leadership development (formerly the nominating committee or committee on lay leadership). This committee or team serves throughout the year to guide the church council or alternative structure on matters regarding the leadership of the congregation (other than employed […]
First United Methodist Church Leadership Values Christ Centered: Leads a Spiritually Surrendered Life We serve others as a reflection of how Jesus served and gave his life for us. Our first priority is to be spiritually centered in order to mentor other on our team into a deeper relationship with Jesus. Our personal goal […]
Week of July 3, 2011 As Christians we have an obligation to pass on those values and beliefs to the next generation. As a church I hope we can pass along to our children these key values Christ Centered / Kingdom Focused / Mission Minded. Scripture Verse Deuteronomy 6:20-25 Sermon Slides worship 07.03.11 Christian Independence […]
As our soul grows in the love of God and journeys ever close into His Presence, our heart’s capacities also grow and expand to see the world as it could be: “Thou shalt enlarge my heart” (Ps. 119:32 KJV). Each year following Annual Conference I like to take time to sit in the Sanctuary […]
Week of June 26, 2011 We drastically underestimate the power of sin. Sin, by its nature, hides itself. It crouches at your door; it always looks smaller than it is. Your sins are not done with you when you think you are done with them. But there is hope in the gospel. Scripture Verse Genesis […]
I hear it all the time “people just aren’t interested in church like they use to.” Translation: “people aren’t interested in the product we’re offering the way we’re offering it.” True enough. There is an undeniable decline in church attendance across America, but we must balance this criticism with another reality, the global explosion of […]
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Deep-Roots.html?soid=1101570165871&aid=8kJa3ejtt4M. Related posts: Deep Roots: Spiritual Wisdom for Unquenchable Faith 5.22.11 Deep Roots: Spiritual Wisdom for Unquenchable Faith Deeper Roots for October 10, 2011 Funeral Announcement for Charles Hardman
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/News-from-First-United-Methodist-Church.html?soid=1101570165871&aid=lB5_8rAdhdM. Related posts: Deeper Roots for October 10, 2011 Deep Roots: Spiritual Wisdom for Unquenchable Faith 5.22.11 Deep Roots for June 20, 2011 Deep Roots: Spiritual Wisdom for Unquenchable Faith
THE POWER OF C-H-A-N-G-E Part 1 – Connect I’ve always heard that religion is about reformation. But Christianity is about transformation. Those two things are not the same. The former is about what a person can do to make self-improvements – Ladder People. The latter is about a person totally yielding to the Person of […]
Week of June 19, 201 We drastically underestimate the power of sin. Sin, by its nature, hides itself. It crouches at your door; it always looks smaller than it is. Your sins are not done with you when you think you are done with them. But there is hope in the gospel. Scripture Verse Genesis […]
The crisis of hope that afflicts the church today is a crisis of imagination. Catholic philosopher Peter Kreeft writes: Medieval imagery (which is almost totally biblical imagery) of light, jewels, stars, candles, trumpets, and angels no longer fits our ranch-style, supermarket world. Pathetic modern substitutes of fluffy clouds, sexless cherubs, harps and metal halos […]
Regardless of what anyone says, life is messy and we all have messes in our lives. Anyone that tells you otherwise is either in denial and/or a liar. Sometimes the mess is one of our own making through something we did or didn’t do, said or didn’t say. Other times we are thrust into the […]
Imagine the stories that we’ll hear. And all the questions that shall finally have answers. “What were you thinking when you drove the old Ford out on the ice?” “Did you hear that Betty and Dan got back together? But of course you did-you were probably involved in that, weren’t you?” “How come you never […]
Are you Ready to go deeper than the surface will reveal? Are you ready to go further than your eyes can currently See? It’s time for Deep Roots! http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Deep-Roots.html?soid=1101570165871&aid=bwleAX9CDzU Related posts: Deep Roots: Spiritual Wisdom for Unquenchable Faith Deep Roots for June 20, 2011 Deeper Roots for October 10, 2011 Funeral Announcement for Charles Hardman
Regardless of what anyone says, life is messy and we all have messes in our lives. Anyone that tells you otherwise is either in denial and/or a liar. Sometimes the mess is one of our own making through something we did or didn’t do, said or didn’t say. Other times we are thrust into the […]
I spoke to a man the other day who does market research (focus groups and interviews) with a wide range of people: what they like and don’t like; what they think and feel about various things. He said that overwhelmingly what people want more than anything else is belonging: to fit in and be accepted; […]
Leo Tolstoy once said: “Everyone thinks of changing the world, no one thinks of changing himself.” God wants to do greater things in our community and in our church, but He also wants greater things in our homes, and in our marriages, in our families, in our finances, and in our future. It has to […]
Regardless of what anyone says, life is messy and we all have messes in our lives. Anyone that tells you otherwise is either in denial and/or a liar. Sometimes the mess is one of our own making through something we did or didn’t do, said or didn’t say. Other times we are thrust into the […]
Beginning Friday morning at 8:00 am, members and friends of the First United Methodist Church Family will come together to fast and pray for all those who suffer and die from hunger and hunger related diseases. We do this as an act of submission, trusting God to work within us a passion to do all […]
THE POWER OF C-H-A-N-G-E Part 1 – Connect I’ve always heard that religion is about reformation. But Christianity is about transformation. Those two things are not the same. The former is about what a person can do to make self-improvements – Ladder People. The latter is about a person totally yielding to the Person of […]
THE POWER OF C-H-A-N-G-E Part 1 – Connect Part 2 – Help Others I’ve always heard that religion is about reformation. But Christianity is about transformation. Those two things are not the same. The former is about what a person can do to make self-improvements – Ladder People. The latter is about a person totally […]
Transformed by Baptism Sermon based on Acts 8:26-39 Audio Podcast and Sermon Notes available here Sermon Slides Worship 05.01.11 Baptism Baptism Liturgy Slides Remember Your Baptism Liturgy For many people Baptism was something that was done a long time ago and has since lost it’s meaning and significance for their lives. Our goal is to […]
From The Apology of Aristides the Philosopher to Emperor Hadrian, 125 A.D.: Further, if one or other of them have bondmen or bondwomen or children, through love towards them they persuade them to become Christians, and when they have done so, they call them brethren without distinction. They do not worship strange gods, and they go their […]
Sermon Slides for Sunday April 3, 2011 Audio Podcast can be found by Clicking Here Worship 04.03.11 Myths 4 Baptism Related posts: Transformed by Baptism Remember Your Baptism Doctrine of Hell Sermon Slides Remember Your Baptism
March 11, 2011 As you have heard by now, Japan has experienced a devastating tsunami that was the result of an 8.9 magnitude offshore quake. The tsunami came ashore with a tidal surge as high as 23 feet, destroying virtually everything in its path. The number of dead and missing will likely reach into the […]
We reach out to people and welcome them into the church We have a direct responsibility for people of the “world” around our church, the community in which we study, work, shop, play, and so forth. In this world are people with many hurts, doubts, and questions. There are some who are new in the […]
A Place of Healing for those in crisis, grieving or suffering from broken dreams or shattered relationships. [Read 1 Samuel 16:14 & 23] [14] Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. [23] Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take […]
Pastor’s letter for December 2009. Entire newsletter can be found at www.fumcwilliamstown.org What is your fondest memory of Christmas? Do you remember the excitement of childhood dreams that were so intense you couldn’t sleep the night before? Do you remember a Christmas Eve service with your family when the sanctuary is bathed in soft candlelight, […]
Commandment #5 — Honor Thy Spouses Past For the last several weeks I’ve been mulling over the relationship between the 10 commandments as given to Moses in Exodus 20 as a model for relationships. I see the experience between God and the Hebrews at Mt. Sinai as kind of a marriage covenant. If we then […]
Life is a story, not a task, not a script, not a competition, but a love story GOD God is the author of life’s story. The greatest commandment of all is to love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. The best, most enduring joy is found in Him. He is our greatest […]
Thinking about critical issues for churches today, I started making a list of questions churches should be able to answer. It seems to me that all churches, regardless of size, need to be able to offer compelling responses to these questions. Here they are: Meaning: How do we see life and our place in it? […]
Church is unlike any other organization on earth and yet we try to apply principles to the church that are inconsistent with it’s purpose. It’s like trying to play football on a baseball field with hockey sticks. You’re like to come away with a lot of bloody and very confused players, to say nothing of […]
65% of Churches Have a Big Screen, Up Just 3% from 2005 Mark Driscoll has said that every church will be cutting edge of some year. Some churches are the cutting edge of 2008. Others are the cutting edge of 1954. Yet others are the cutting edge of 1875. No matter what, your church is […]
Isn’t it amazing how different words take on different meanings to different people? I suppose that’s because our different backgrounds and experiences color our point of view and we just “see” different means. The problem arises when we assume our interpretation is the only one there is and that others should see the world as we do […]