1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

The Visitor: Gramling United Methodist News October 2014
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14941 Asheville Highway, PO Box 58, Gramling, SC 29348 [email protected]
h Sun.: Classes, 10 am.; Worship, 11 am. h Wed.: Supper, 6 pm.; Children’s Choir/Prayer, 6:30 pm.; Chancel Choir, 7 pm.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the
mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living
sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your
spiritual worship. Romans 12:1
Recently you may have noticed in the bulletin
a section entitled Spiritual Preparation for Worship.
Under the title I am inviting the community of faith to
pray in our scriptures for the upcoming worship.
These scriptures come from the Ecumenical
Lectionary Readings. They are readings organized
in a three year cycle, Year A, B, and C. We are
nearing the end of year A in which most of our
Gospel Readings have come from Matthew. The
Season of Advent marks the beginning of a new
Church year and we will begin following through the
Gospel of Mark.
There are many different ways to pray in the
scriptures, one just has to find a way that is most
comfortable for them. I’ve heard pastors say they
cannot just sit and pray. This is often true for me.
One of the ways I enjoy praying in the scriptures is
while I am walking. I print out the scripture, read a
verse or two and ask questions about that scripture
and pray as I walk. It’s kind of like you’re on an
adventure with God - reading and praying in God’s
Word as you take in God’s creation all around you. I
have done this as I washed dishes or some other
mundane chore that you really don’t have to think
while you do it!
Sometimes I like to write the scripture - a few
lines at a time - and write out a focus prayer for
where God’s Word is leading me. For instance: “The
Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.”
Ask
forgiveness for all the times I say I want something.
Be grateful for everything I have. “He maketh me to
lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside
still waters.” Help me to let you, God, make me lie
down and lead me so that I might know your comfort
and peace.
Other times I like to pray in Lectio Divina. In
this style I read the total scripture slowly. Then I
return to one particular word, phrase or verse that
seems to be speaking to me and meditate upon it. I
might repeat it over and over as I enter into silence.
Being silent and listening for God is difficult.
Sometimes God has a lot to say and sometimes I
hear nothing. But I always feel better because I’ve
given space for God to enter and speak.
If we as a congregation have taken time
during our week to live and pray in the same
scriptures, I believe God will pour out even more
blessings each week as we worship God together. If
you have a way of praying in the scriptures that
works for you, please share it with others!
– Pastor Rebecca
Community Senior Day is Tuesday, October 21st 9am-2pm.
It’s almost here! This day of ministry brings
seniors together with agencies who provide wellness checks, financial assistance, etc. Lunch and desserts are
free and there is some great music while they wait. If you are interested in helping, contact Catherine and Will
Gramling.
Wednesday Night Live!
Supper at 6:00 is free, with
plenty of time for the grown-ups to fellowship as well!
6:30 – Kids up to 3rd grade learn a song or two with
Mindy, and 4th and up practice handbells with Ann.
At 6:30 there is also prayer time in the Sanctuary.
The adult’s choir practice starts at 7 p.m.
UMYF Calendar - October
Sunday, Oct 5th– Leave right after church for lunch.
We will visit and serve communion to shut-ins.
Sunday, Oct 12th– Haunted house: TBA time/place.
Wednesday, Oct 15th– Meet in gym 6 p.m. to make
up bags for Senior Day
Sunday, Oct 19th– Help set up gym for Senior Day.
Sunday, Oct 26th– Meet at church 6-7:30
Wednesday, Oct 29th– Church Fall Festival,
5:30 p.m.
Thank you
Donelle and Paula
Fall Festival
Wednesday, October 29th
5:30 p.m.
Join us for an evening of fun and worship to
celebrate fall. We will begin with a Trunk or Treat
and games at 5:30. Dinner and a cake walk will
begin at 6:30 in the church gym. Wear a costume if
you like, and invite your friends to join us!
We need volunteers for our Trunk or Treat at
5:30! If your family, Sunday School Class, Bible
study, or church committee would be willing to
participate, please let Kathryn Mitchell know at 2373352.
If you would be willing to donate a cake or
dessert for our cake walk, please see Cynthia
Woodfin.
Prayer- Praises and Concerns: Call Faye Woodfin
(472-8143) or Anne Carroll (472-9434)
Are any in your community suffering? They should pray.
Are any celebrating? They should sing praises to God.
Are any sick? They should call the elders of your church
and ask them to pray. James 5:13-14a
Members of Gramling
Marcus Johnson
Lucy Crowley
Carroll Campbell
Nancy Pike
Sally Hershberger
Angela Lanford
Kenny Bell
Farroll Campbell
Larry Prieb
Rebecca Culp
Nona Morgan
Homebound
Carroll & Betty Jean Campbell
Merle Bradey
Barbara Runion
Jean Johnson
Rebel Brackett
October
Birthdays!
Friends and Relatives
Phyllis Fullbright
Hase Broom – Cindy Riddle’s father
Dot Plumley - Cindy Gramling’s mother
Robert Greene- Wanda Ballenger’s brother-in-law
Carl Lane - Dave Lane’s father
Kathy Day - (Katie Woodfin)
Opal Sauve - (Mark Garrell)
Michael Garrell – Mark Garrell’s brother
Grant Allison - Rebel Brackett’s great grandson
Todd Johson - Frances Shults’ son
Julie Settle - Pat Keadle’s daughter
Kinsley Anne Settle- Pat Keadle’s great granddaughter
Karen Heitman- (Sandra Wingo)
Buddy Miller
Mary Stork
Carolyn Woodfin
Jay Keadle
Peyton Hammersley
1 Stacey Condrey
4 Betty Jean Campbell
6 Melanie Pressley
7 Marion Gramling, Jr.
8 David Connell
9 Jon Harrison
9 Sam Connell
Assisted Living, Nursing Home
Jane Fisher - Skylyn Place
J.L. Fowler - Rosecrest
Doris Etheredge - Lake Emory/Camp Care
Joyce Evington - Wesley Ct. Assisted Living
Reba Dobbins - White Oak of Tryon
10 Charlene Lane
10 Ed Hershberger
10 Pat Keadle
10 Wyatt Ponder
12 David Sisk
12 Hannah Nussman
14 Carlton Gansereit
Military and
Civil Defense Personnel
Drew Etheredge
Tyrone Edwards
Ed Hershberger
Mary Katherine Connell
Church:
Gramling UMC
Pastor Rebecca
Bishop Holston
World:
Gramling Church Leaders
District Supt. Paul Harmon
Immigrants
Israel
U.S. leaders / SC leaders
Iraq
_________________________________________________________
Christian Sympathy: Please pray for the
friends and family who lost loved ones:
Carolyn Vranich – Colette Duncan’s aunt
Glenn Blackwell – Wanda Ballenger’s uncle
Raymond Duncan – Peggy Pruitt’s brother-in-law
Naomi Stuart
17 Don Kirkland
21 Ben Lopez
22 Peggy Campbell
22 Sheila Atkins
24 Elizabeth Pressley
25 Jacqueline Duncan
26 Ben Wilson
26 Weldon Ford
28 Hank Nix
29 Nancy Hamilton
30 Danny Burrell
Gramling United Methodist Church
PO Box 58
Gramling, SC 29348
Address Service Requested
Pastor Rebecca Wilkins
( want electronic copy only? e-mail [email protected] )