Tabernacle United February 2014 Living without God is a lot like dribbling a football! 4495 Kenleigh Forest Road Tobaccoville, NC 27050 Worship – 9:45 a.m. Sunday School – 10:45 a.m. Pastor – Rev. Jenna Grogan Telephone-336-983-2423 E-Mail: [email protected] Church Website – http://www.tabernacleumctobaccovillenc.com Happy Valentine’s Day! 24 Football Terminology: Jenna’s Thoughts I know I drive my husband crazy but that’s really not my intent. You see after all the Christmas decorations are put away (which takes me forever) I pull down the box that holds my valentine decorations (it’s only one box) and I leave it down until the next holiday arrives. So usually there is at least one open plastic box with its contents spilling out onto the floor next to my tread mill down in our basement. That’s what drives Steve crazy. But I do it anyway. So when I opened the valentine box last week and riffled through its contents to see what I wanted to use, I found last year’s card from Stephen tucked in among the hearts and flowers and other red, and pink, and white paraphernalia. I stood in the basement and opened the card and once again read these sweet words: “Our Love is a love that no other can take from us. It was made with God’s Love.” On the left hand side of the card were the words: “A Marriage Creed.” And underneath it was written an acrostic for the words, “I love you.” In a never-ending effort to attract the unchurched, some churches have considered translating their unfamiliar terminology into familiar football phrases: BLOCKING: talking endlessly to the pastor at the church door and keeping everyone else from exiting. DRAFT CHOICE: the decision to sit close to the heat/air vent. END ZONE: the pews. EXTRA POINT: what you receive when you tell the pastor his/her sermon was too short. ILLEGAL MOTION: leaving before the benediction. INTERFERENCE: talking during the piano/organ prelude. TWO-MINUTE WARNING: the pastor’s wife/husband looking at their watch in full view of the pastor. QUARTERBACK SNEAK: Sunday School teachers entering the building 5 to 10 minutes after the service has begun. ********************************************************* Tabernacle United Methodist Church Staff Volunteers Established 1884 Inspire Warmth…I Listen to each other…L Open your heart…O Value your union…V Express your trust…E Yield to good sense…Y Overlook mistakes…O Newsletter Editor - Gail Caudle - phone - 336-985-5216 e-mail - gacaudle@windstream or [email protected] Sunday Bulletin - Lloyd McCormick - phone - 336-924-2958 e-mail - pat [email protected] Church Website - Larry Shamel - phone - 336-983-5313 e-mail - [email protected] Understand the differences…U 2 23 See whom you’re with. Are there others around you? Can you do even one small thing to make their day a bit better? Mother Teresa once said, “We feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” A quick smile, a friendly comment or a sympathetic look can change someone’s life. Pull out your prayer list. We’re always complaining that we have no time to get everything done—especially when our plans are interrupted. But interruptions are pockets of time for prayer, if we choose to use them that way. Work on memorizing a praise psalm. Try Psalm 18, 111 or 135, any of which make good ways of waiting on God while you wait for…whatever! Do you know that another meaning for “to wait on” is to act as a servant? When we are “waiters” we are expected to be attentive, to be alert to whatever it is that God might ask of us. If we are truly waiting for God, we are waiting (wanting!) to serve Him in every way possible. “For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:18). *********************************************************** ~ What Valentine Can I Give Him? ~ What can I give to Jesus On this special Valentine’s Day? How can I tell Him I’ll love Him, And follow Him, come what may? How can I show I need Him? Should I send a red heart with lace? How can I thank Him enough For His sacrifice, love and grace? What Valentine can I give Him, My adoration to impart? I’ll give to Him what He wants most; I’ll yield to Him my heart. In John’s Gospel Jesus calls us to “Love one another, as I have loved you.” Now I have no doubt that the love my husband and I have for one another originated through God’s love for us. And I also know that despite the fact that I sometimes drive him crazy and that he sometimes causes my blood pressure to rise we wouldn’t trade one another for anything or anyone else in the world. In just a few days all those who are romantic at heart will again celebrate their love for one another on Valentine’s Day, a day set apart for such expressions. Roses will be purchased, dinner reservations will be made, chocolates will be consumed, teddy bears will be cuddled, and cards will be read and cherished. But let’s not forget the One who has taught us what the true meaning of love really is. And let’s also not forget those whose loved ones are now with Jesus, as well as those who never married, and those who now live alone because divorce shattered their “Happily ever after.” Sheila Walsh in her book “All that really matters” wrote, “Do you want to love yourself? Then love God. Do you want to love your neighbor? Then love God. Do you want to find your life? Then love God.” But we can only do that when we willingly forgive one another and treasure one another. For then no matter what happens throughout the years we will always be filled with joy in knowing that love—God’s love and the love we share in Him is never lost. In fact it will forever remain eternal. 1st John 4:16 ~ Joanna Fuchs 22 3 Our Family Prayer Concerns Tabernacle’s Special Request: Kathryn Williard, Ethan Graf, Janie Myers, Betty Long, Jesse Needham Tabernacle’s Special Friend & Family Request: Johnny Whitley, Emily Bartlett, Margaret Nookester, Jeremy Moorefield, Pam McMurray, Vonnie Truitt, Terry Shore, La Craft, Judy Adams, Beatrice Bates, Mary Payne, Eddie Black, Sandra Adams, Kathy Speas, Shirley Choplin, Ann Cowen, Julie Hayes, Stephaney Whitaker, Matthew Hayden, Joseph Godfrey, Sylvia Baguess, Ethan White, Linda Norman, Linda Cox, Alfred Davis, Tim Hall, Charles Atkins, Shelby Clayton, Ashton Aires, The Blackwaters, Tracy Riazzi, Lee Hall, Lillian Speas, Norma Jean Willard, Dot and Gordon Yates, Mark DePew Mt. Pleasant’s Special Request: Thurman Dodson, Noah Cox, Brian Jeffords, Earnestine and Coy Conrad, Jeff Hauser Jr., Ellen Asbury, Chris Ogburn Homebound, Retirement/Nursing Home: Betty Lou Edwards, Rose Sprinkle, Stella Boles, Betty Adams, Tommy Sapp, Don Grogan, Lonnie Walker, Audrey Holder, Florence and Robert Long, Peggy Edwards, Milton Long, Shirley Sprinkle, Billie Cox, Paul Willard, Hazel Long, Jean Robertson, Buster Long, Mildred Veach, Dottie Whitman, Everette Butner, Rachael Pfaff, Dianne Robertson, Roberta Merritt Our U.S. Military: James Cockerham, Cody Hauser, Randy Fry, Kristy and Steve Hurst, Katie Sutherland, Keifer Uphaus Deepest Sympathy to the Family and Friends of: Jane Dodson, Dillon Hunter, Juanita Aldridge, Ray Whitman, Joseph Brown, Juanita Tate, Inez Beck, Willa Mae Lambeth, Robert Young, Pauline Gowing, Long family, Robin Bray, Doris Boyce, Jayne Sturdivant 4 ~ Turn Waiting Time Into Blessing Time ~ Four faith-filled things you can do when you're stuck in traffic, waiting at the doctor's office or just about anywhere! By Elizabeth Peale Allen How do you define waiting? Do you think of it as simply as an inconvenience to be endured—or a period of anticipation and perhaps even blessing? The Psalms are full of references to waiting for God to save, to act, to do something. “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14). “We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield” (Psalm 33:20). “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes” (Psalm 37:7). From a Biblical perspective, waiting is not just something we have to do until we get what we want. Waiting is part of the process of becoming what God wants us to be. Part of the lesson is that we learn the difference between our demands and God’s desires. And we learn what God means when He says, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” (Isaiah 55:8). For when we enter into the Lord’s timetable (or at least are forced out of our own), it quickly becomes clear that what we think we need doesn’t always match up with what God knows is best for us. Waiting can lead us down the path of healthy humility to a place where we can “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness” (Psalm 29:2). Often when we find ourselves waiting, whether in traffic or for good (or bad) news, we try to distract ourselves. Why? Because waiting is uncomfortable; it’s proof positive that we’re not in complete control of our lives. Instead of checking email or calling a friend, use this time to find the good things God has waiting for us as we wait. Here’s how: Be where you are. Step back and observe your feelings—notice them, but don’t dwell on them. Where are you? What does it look like? Smell like? Try to be fully present and accept that you are where you are for a reason. 21 ~ Praising God for Closed Doors ~ by the Daily Encourager We need to learn to praise the Lord as much for a closed door as we do for an open door. The reason God closes doors is because He has not prepared anything over there for us. If he didn't close the wrong door, we would never find the right door. God directs our path through the closing and opening of doors. Once a door closes, it forces you to change your course. When another door closes, it forces you to change your course again. Then, finally, you find the open door and you walk right into your blessing. The Lord directs our paths through the opening and closing of doors, but instead of praising him for the closed door (which keeps us out of trouble); we get upset because we "judge by the appearances." You have an ever-present help in the time of trouble that is always standing guard. Because He walks ahead of you, He can spot trouble down the road and set up a roadblock or detour accordingly. But through our lack of wisdom, we try to tear down the roadblocks or push aside the detour sign. Then, the minute we get into trouble, we start crying, "Lord, how could You have done this to me?" We have got to realize that the closed door can be a blessing. Didn't He say that no good thing would He withhold from them that love Him? If you get terminated from your job, praise God for the new opportunities that will manifest themselves: it might be another job, it might be school. If that man or woman won't return your call, it might not be them, it might be the Lord setting up a roadblock (just let it go). One time, a person had a bank they had been in business with for many years tell them "No!" to a $10,000 loan. The Lord put in their spirit to call another bank. That bank gave them $40,000 at a lower interest rate than the first bank was offering. We can sometimes trap ourselves in doubt and discouragement through judging by appearances. Be grateful for the many times our Father has closed doors to us just to open them in the most unexpected places. The Lord won't always say in spoken words: "Go to the left, now to the right" ...sometimes He will just close the doors that are wrong for you. “ Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him - and He will direct your paths.” ~ Proverbs 3:5-6 20 Our Service Opportunities for February February 2 - Building Fund Sunday February 9 - United Methodist Men’s breakfast - 7:30 a.m. in the church fellowship hall. Cooks will be Kreisler Speas and Melvin Long. All of the men of the church are invited to attend. February 9 - Youth meeting immediately following church services. February 9 - Cluster Service at Antioch UMC - (Faith assisting) Light meal at 6:15pm - Service at 7:00 pm. February 14 - Happy Valentine’s Day! February 23 - “Make A Joyful Noise” during morning worship. February 23 - Cluster Service at Tabernacle UMC - ( Mt. Pleasant assisting) - Light meal at 6:15pm - Service at 7:00 pm. “We are a Safe Sanctuary Church” “ I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among daughters.” ~ Song of Solomon 2:1-2 5 Our Presence and Gifts Average weekly attendance for January Worship Service….. 35 Average weekly attendance for January Sunday School …… 32 Average weekly offering for January ……..………....$ 874.54 (offering needed per week to meet our 2014 budget - $985.48) “Make A Joyful Noise” youth for January ……….. $ 44.93 ********************************************************* Mission Opportunities for February King Outreach Ministry - item for the month is crackers. Church-School Connection - item for the month is hygiene products. Mission Project for February - “Tree of Life.” Paper hearts are available for purchase for $1.00 per heart/per name. Please see Gail if you would like to purchase a heart in honor or memory of someone as we bring our “tree to life.” All proceeds will go toward the upcoming Relay for Life (American Cancer Society) on May 9th. *** Please make checks payable to American Cancer Society. CPR Mission Project - C - care for the problem P - pray about the problem R - resolve the problem This is an on-going mission that we will be focusing on in connection with Old Richmond Elementary School. Shirley Ring is our contact person and will provide us with the needs of a child (if any) for the month. Missional Network Opportunities / Backpack Program - we are currently reaching out to 30 children at Rural Hall Elementary School and will continue to do so each month. This month is Tabernacle/Mt. Pleasant’s turn to pack the backpacks. Our coordinators are Judy Long and Glenda Whicker. This will take place at The Living Well in Rural Hall on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Any and all help is needed. This is for all members of the church! 6 ~ God’s Word for Today ~ By Chuck Davis Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. ~ Proverbs 27:17 Often people who don’t regularly go to church will use the excuse “you don’t have to go to church to believe in God” and that is true. But the truth is also a two edged sword. Let’s look at it this way. You don’t have to be married to have children. You don’t have to go to school and get an education to get a job. You don’t have to watch what you eat to have a body. You don’t have to love and respect your spouse if you are married. You don’t have to cook your food before you eat it. You don’t have to pay for your food before you leave the grocery, or a restaurant. But each of those situations has a better side. Yes there are actually those who do live as each of these statements suggest. And yes God loves even those who make fools of themselves or are burdens on society. He loves them just as He did each of us when we were lost sinners. But He has desires and even expectations of us and the first is to believe and the second is for us to follow Him and His ways. Without a church family and friends we can end up not only lost and wandering on our own but worse, we may not be growing and maturing and helping others who may be wandering or stagnant. We might miss what His purpose is for us by pushing ours before His. Somehow someway you need to be IN church not just doing it or watching it. And God will provide a way even for those who are hard put to go. The challenge is seeking Him and the church that not only fulfills our ideas of a church but can use us to fulfill His idea of church. 19 this. While it was not really my fault, I certainly was not out there on the street telling everyone how sorry I was. It seems a bit ironic that even with times when we are to blame, we don’t really want to take ownership. But courtesy and decency require that we do this. Maybe not so much when something happens as an "act of God," as the insurance companies call a tree falling. But the real reason to take ownership when we mess up is so that people know we don't really want to act or be that way. It is an opportunity to "do" things a second time, and try to get them right. That seems to be worth thinking about.......I hope you and I can give our best efforts to live right and be right......at least on the second time around! God be close to you. Bill Medlin ************************************************************ ~ A New Beautiful Day ~ Another day is here, a new beginning Not touched, just brand ne We thank God for His blessings His presence, food, strength, good health too. Be still and listen as he speaks today He promised to be always near May you feel His loving presence As you draw close to Him in prayer. When we lift our hearts to pray Jesus is there to answer our prayers We can cast all our burdens on Him Give to Jesus today … all your cares. We can rest in God’s unfailing love No need to worry, feel safe in His arms Just completely trust and on Jesus you call Surrender to Him, your life … your all!! Bernice Ward 18 New Story Church Homeless Shelter - the homeless shelter runs every night from 7:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. They are asking for volunteers (7-8) to help check people in and prepare and serve dinner between 710 pm. When preparing food for the shelter, please note there is no stove or kitchen to warm food. The shelter only has microwaves and crock-pots available. Suggestions for meals include: soups, sandwiches, spaghetti, chili, something warm and that could easily be transported in warm tins, etc. They are packed every night with men, women and families on an average of 20 - 25 people. So plan on feeding 25. They also need volunteers to stay overnight 3-4 people (you do get some sleep, not much but you know you are making a difference) from 7:00 p.m. till 6:30 a.m. They currently could use some help with some supplies: Lysol, hand sanitizer, large trash bags (39-42 gallon and as thick as possible), coffee, sugar, 8-oz cups, spoons, toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates, dish cloths, bottled water, packs of Emergen-C vitamins and nutria grain bars. Some of our folks within the Missional Network have volunteered to prepare a meal, go and serve the meal plus some will be staying over night on February 6th. We are hoping to get others involved and be able to go and volunteer on a regular basis. If you are interested please contact Larry Bridges at [email protected] or by phone, so he can get your name on the list. If you feel you are unable to go but would like to help in preparing food, please feel free to do so by contacting Larry Bridges. This is a powerful life changing experience and we all should be willing to take a part one way or another to help those in need. The New Story Church is located at 1401 Trade Mart Blvd, W-S. and this Sunday, February 2nd will mark their first anniversary of being in their new building. *Boxes have been placed in both buildings for your convenience for each of our mission projects. ** All boxes have been labeled appropriately. *** Please place all items in the appropriate box. ****Please DO NOT remove the boxes from the buildings. 7 Sun. Mon. Tue. Wed. Thur. Fri. Sat. 1 2 3 4 Building Fund --------Super Bowl Sunday 9 10 11 17 18 President’s Day 23 MAJN ---------Cluster Service Tab. 6 7 8 14 15 Prayer Network Meeting @ Back6:30pm packing @ 6:30 pm UMM Breakfast ---------Youth meeting --------Cluster Service Antioch 16 5 24 12 13 Prayer Network Meeting @ Back6:30pm packing @ 6:30 pm Happy Chicken Valentine stew Day @ 5:00 pm 19 21 22 28 29 20 Prayer Network Meeting @ Back6:30pm packing @ 6:30 pm 25 26 27 Prayer Network Meeting @ Back6:30pm packing @ 6:30 pm **Cluster light meal served at 6:15 pm each night *** Cluster service begins at 7:00 pm each night 8 I will not forget Friday, January 3. I had come home from walking our two dogs and, as I sat down to eat breakfast, there was a powerful thud and the lights went out. Sarah said, "What happened?" I said, "Something fell!" I moved to a front window and starting looking around. Holy smokes, it didn't take but a minute to see the problem. One of our massive pin oaks had come downright over the driveway. My first reaction was to determine who to call. Using some common sense, I quickly phoned Duke Energy, the Winston-Salem Police, and a tree company. Everyone responded rapidly, and the next thing I knew traffic was blocked, the street was closed, and chainsaws were going wild. I was grateful because everyone knew what he/she was doing. The oak was massive. A car was traveling down the street and the driver heard the crack of the timber, but before she had time to react she was covered with tree----one limb on the top of the car and two limbs under the car. I was told she was lucky not to have been killed. She was fortunate, but was so focused on a flight she had to catch, that she left her car, gave the keys to a neighbor, and went on her way. Damage to her was non-existent, and only minimal to the car. I was rattled. We had live power lines on the ground, a driveway that was inaccessible, and no hot water or anything else. I could not go anywhere, I could not shower, and I could not work online. I was trapped! My dad's memorial service was set for the next afternoon but I had no way to work on it. Finally, about 4:15 in the afternoon our power was restored. What a happy time it was. Permission to DO something was granted again. I figured that we had become the neighbor everybody loves to hate because our tree had taken out power, cable TV, and telephone service to the whole neighborhood. As I left the house late that afternoon I did it as quietly as possible. I did not want anyone to see me drive away. I was the center of the problem and I was trying to tiptoe off. I believe that type of response is pretty normal for us humans. We are not crazy about taking ownership for things like 17 ** Yadkin Valley District churches have the opportunity to receive funds from both the District Missional Engagement Committee and the District Congregational Development Committee. Mission Engagement grants are intended for partnership initiatives which engage local church members in missional opportunities within the local community or beyond. These funds are not intended for an in-house church ministry unless there is collaboration with multiple churches. Congregational Development grants are intended to help churches engage in ministries and/or participate in programs/processes which will enable the church to attain new vitality, health and growth. To obtain a grant application, please contact Amy Johnson ([email protected]) at the District Office. Registration deadline for both grant applications is March 1. Birthday Greetings to… March February 10 - John Elkins 12 - Tiffany Larner 21 - Jessica Coone 26 - Travis Haynes 3 - Rick Robertson 11 - Austin Willard 13 - Lloyd McCormick 15 - Vernon Truesdale 23 - Lily Bartlett Congratulations to ... ** Lay Servant Training is now available if you are interested. The cost is $20.00 and will be held at Trinity UMC in King and at First UMC Family Life Center in Mocksville on Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings for the Basic and Advanced training courses. The training consist of 5 sessions. The deadline for registration is February 19th. Please contact the pastor or lay leader for further information. You do need approval by the pastor before attending. *********************************************************** Looking Ahead… March 5 - Ash Wednesday service - Tabernacle UMC Randy and June Cockerham as they celebrate their wedding anniversary on February 3rd. Ed and Pat Graf as they celebrate their wedding anniversary on February 8th. Lloyd and Pat McCormick as they celebrate their wedding anniversary on February 24th ******************************************************** March 9 - Cluster Service - Doubs Chapel (Pleasant Hill assisting) March 13-16 - Men’s Emmaus Spring Walk March 20-23 - Women’s Emmaus Spring Walk March 23 - Cluster Service - Kingswood (St. James & New Hope assisting) March 27 - Ken Carter will be speaking at The Mt. Shepherd Retreat Center in Asheboro, NC. The seminar is open to all clergy and laity. Registration is required and the cost is $50.00. 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. March 29 - Tabernacle UMYF Baked Potato & Salad - 5:00 pm 16 A Thought to Ponder Sabbath is not dependent upon our readiness to stop. We do not stop when we are finished. We do not stop when we complete our phone calls, finish our project, get through this stack of messages, finish checking our e-mails or get out this report. We stop because it is time to stop. Sabbath requires surrender. If we only stop when we are finished with all our work, we will never stop -- because our work is never completely done. ~ Wayne Muller 9 From the men’s corner: … The Methodist Men met on January 12th for our monthly breakfast in the fellowship hall of the church. There were 11 present from Tabernacle; 3 present from Elm Grove, 4 present from Mt. Pleasant, 1 from Mizpah Moravian Church and 1 from Sharon Baptist. We hope those absent from our breakfast will join us soon. We were blessed with 20 men present representing at least 5 churches at our breakfast. The cooks were Bill Caudle and Melvin Long, with all the other men helping out in the kitchen. They did a great job in preparing the tenderloin, bacon, eggs, gravy. All those present enjoyed a good meal and great fellowship. We appreciate Greek purchasing the food, and setting up the tables. Our thanks to Wilburn for the pear preserves and jellies that the UMM place on the table to be eaten with our meal. We appreciate all those that help wash dishes, clean off the tables, sweep the floor and get the fellowship hall ready for the next event. We at Tabernacle enjoy the fellowship between all the men that attend our breakfast from all the different churches and the fellowship at Elm Grove with their UMM. Greek, Lonnie, Kreisler, Melvin and myself visited with Elm Grove UMM on January 19th and enjoyed a great meal and some good fellowship. Lloyd McCormick President, Tabernacle United Methodist Men ********************************************************** From the women’s corner… … We did not have a meeting in January as we decided to take a couple of months off during the winter because of the cold and bitterness that comes with “ole man winter.” That doesn’t mean that our ladies are slowing down by no means. We will be hosting a cluster service with the help of Mt. Pleasant’s ladies here at Tabernacle on February 23rd. Look forward to seeing everyone there and “stay warm.” Gail Caudle President, Tabernacle United Methodist Women 10 March 6th - “Journey to the Cross” Bethlehem UMC -- 9:30 am - 1:30 pm Cost $10.00 Begin your Lenten Journey with friends, new and old, for an interactive day of worship preparation through Kristal bells, signing and song. Enjoy a continental breakfast and a hot catered lunch with homemade deserts. You could also win a fabulous door prize! Deadline to register is February 24th. Make checks payable to the Yadkin Valley District Treasurer and mail to 1031 Reynolda Rd. W-S, NC 27104. Questions contact Donna Cooke 336-727-1222. March 7th & 8th - District Confirmation Retreat The Brantley Retreat Center Campus of the Children’s Home Registration begins at 6:00 pm on Friday and ends promptly at 2:30 pm on Saturday $50.00 registration per person Includes lodging, 3 meals, snacks, programming and T-shirt The Brantley is a modest hotel - bring personal items. Deadline for registration is February 24th. Questions and registration forms contact: Donna Cooke 336-727-1222 or [email protected] ** The February FAITHHEALTHNC training for lay community connectors at the new Davie Medical Center is at capacity of 40. WFUBMC expects to develop another series in the Lexington area in March. Details will be forthcoming when the dates are established. Remember to bring the covenant document before your church council for approval. We have it in digital form at the district office upon request, [email protected]. This is an opportunity for us to care for others who do not have a church affiliation or may not even know Christ, as we do for those in our own congregations. WFUBMC provides the training, manuals and even pens for all participants. ** Think of the use of your building during the week. How many groups meet there and for what purposes? Churches who take their weekday visitors seriously end up seeing them again in different venues and experiences – worship, mission, and fellowship. There are 11 practical and low cost (some no cost!!) steps that can parlay your congregation to engaging with others in their community. Find the steps at www.epicentergroup.org. 15 March 1st - Centering Prayer Workshop 10:00 am - 4:00 pm -- Cost $30.00 Calvary Lutheran Church - Concord, NC Are you looking for a way to deepen your relationship with God? In our Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop, you will learn about a prayer method in which you sit in silence with God, opening your mind, heart, and whole being to the Ultimate Mystery. Centering Prayer furthers the development of contemplative prayer by quieting our faculties to cooperate with the gift of God's presence. The Workshop offers a contemporary presentation of the discipline of Centering Prayer as silent communion with God beyond concepts, words and images. Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Him. The source of Centering Prayer, as in all methods leading to contemplative prayer, is the Indwelling Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The focus of Centering Prayer is the deepening of our relationship with the living Christ. The effects of Centering Prayer are ecclesial, as the prayer tends to build communities of faith and bond the members together in mutual friendship and love. At the Workshop, you will receive instruction on the prayer, as well as two opportunities to practice it. Lunch will be provided. Included in the Workshop fee are the Six Continuing Sessions. The sessions are offered once a week. Along with your own daily practice, the Six Continuing Sessions provide you the opportunity to come together with others to practice Centering Prayer and to watch a half hour video by Fr. Thomas Keating. There will also be time for questions and discussion. The Presenters: The Rev. Katie Crowe is the Senior Pastor for Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church in Durham, NC. She graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary and served 8 years as the Minister for Service and Missions at First Presbyterian Church in Uptown Charlotte. Katie helped found the Charlotte Chapter of Contemplative Outreach and served as its coordinator. Ann Starrette is the Director of Spiritual Formation at Davidson United Methodist Church. She is the founder of The Lydia Group, LLC Retreat Ministry. Ann also presents workshops on The Welcoming Prayer and Lectio Divina. For more information or how to register contact Gail Caudle 14 From the youth’s corner… … The youth had a meeting on January 12th to discuss their plans for the upcoming year. There was a few in attendance, and we missed those that were not able to attend. We will be having a Baked Potato and Salad dinner in March to raise money for Relay for Life. More details to come at a later time. We will be meeting on February 9th. Hope to see everyone there. Stay warm. God bless... Kashemi Long Chair, Age-level Coordinator ****************************************************** SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS (Church, District, Conference & Community Events) Prayer Meetings - Wednesday’s at 6:30 p.m. Prayer meeting is open to everyone! Choir Practice - 7:00 p.m. Every other Wednesday night Monthly Recycling for the Village of Tobaccoville February 3rd & 4th February 6th - New Hope UMC - 6:00 p.m. New Hope is sponsoring an Outreach Community Meal. They plan to sponsor this meal the first Thursday of every month. Roney Jenkins of New Hope is the coordinator and wants to get the word out to our Cluster group so they can get the word out to the hungry in their community and let them know that they are welcome to come and have dinner with them. Any member of the cluster churches are invited to join them and bring someone in need of a meal and experience the love of God. If you need further details, contact Roney at 336-671-1797 February 6th - Brookstown UMC 11:45am - 1:00 pm Lunch available for $6.50 “Leading Causes of Life” by Dr. Gary Gunderson 11 February 7th & 8th - Sedge Garden UMC Antioch UMC (Faith assisting) Light meal at 6:15 pm - Service at 7:00 pm Rev. Andy Lambert will be the guest speaker The DIVAS Women’s Ministry of Sedge Garden United Methodist Church invite you to gather February 7-8 to view the livestream of IF:Gathering (www.ifgathering.com). The times are Friday, February 7, 5:00-9:00 pm. and Saturday 8, 9:00am-8:30 p.m. Register by February 4 @ sedgegardenumc.org. The Stained Glass Playhouse Performance dates and times: Friday & Saturday - February 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 at 8:00 p.m. Sunday - February 9, 16, 23 at 3:00 p.m. Admission: $15.00 for adults; $10.00 for students and seniors 60+ For reservations call 499-1010 Additional information call 661-4949 For immediate release: In Honor of Black History Month the Stained Glass Playhouse Presents, “North Star” By Gloria Bond Clunie Directed by Harold Clayton, Jr. Produced by special arrangements with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois “Set in North Carolina in the 1960’s, ‘North Star’ is the story of “Relia”, an African-American girl, searching for he place to shine in both society and her personal life. The joyous innocence of “Relia’s” summer is transformed by the rising tensions of the growing civil rights movements. Relia’s parents are hotly divided between letting her participate in the demonstrations and shielding her from the harsh realities of the civil rights struggle and their community’s battle for freedom. Relia’s memories of magical moments stargazing with her father help guide her as she risks her life to be a part of the “Dream” and the “Big Freedom.” February 8th & 9th “Getting More Members for Your Church”, aka Boot Camp, with Paul Nixon will be held at The Children’s Home campus February 8th and 9th. The pastor attends with a team of 5 or more and you are encouraged to participate in the follow up coaching!!! Register on the conference web-site ASAP. 12 February 9th - Cluster Service February 12th & 13th Faith UMC Effective Leadership & Strategic Implementation Seminar (aka Leading the Church When You Just Want to Follow) Brian Zehr of Intentional Impact, who has been coaching leadership at the conference level, will be in the Yadkin Valley District at no cost to clergy who choose to attend on Wednesday, February 12th and Thursday February 13th from 9:00-3:00 at Faith UMC in Rural Hall. Lunch is included both days. Register with Amy Johnson, [email protected], by February 10 to attend. This opportunity is provided by your District Congregational Development/Vitality team and grant funding at the conference level. If you attend both days, you will have specific tools to ponder and then implement in your church, as well as new found vigor for yourself. My motto is B. Zehr or be square. February 15th - Tabernacle UMC Chicken Stew - $5.00 5:00 pm Everyone is invited to come join us for some “warmth!” February 15th - 17th - Girl’s Chrysalis Flight Please be in prayer for these young caterpillars as they take on a new journey in the life to seek to know Jesus in a different light. May they be drawn closer to him and feel his presence, grace and love as they take on this new adventure and life changing experience. February 23rd - Cluster Service Tabernacle UMC (Mt. Pleasant assisting) Light meal at 6:15 pm - Service at 7:00 pm March 1st - Glory Street Quartet 17th Annual Concert Sedge Garden UMC - 7:00 p.m. --- Special guest - Squire Parsons He is written 400+ songs about the Christian faith. He is well known for authoring the song “Sweet Beulah Land”, “Look for me at Jesus’ feet” and many more. The concert is free, but we ask that you bring a nonperishable food item for Crisis Control. A love offering with be collected for KIDS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER. 13
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