Lunenburg United Methodist Charge

Antioch UMC Williams UMC

On our walk. . . . .

January 6, 2009

Mark 1:4-11

And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

Approximately three-hundred years before John the Baptist came on the scene God had promised through the prophet Isaiah that a person would come and announce the coming of the Messiah Isaiah said he would be: “A voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.” And John is this man! John was a man of the wilderness. He was a simple prophet who pointed to someone beyond himself!

In order to prepare the way for Christ’s coming, God had the people go back to their beginnings with God...He had them return to the wilderness - Just as Israel had long ago been separated from Egypt, from slavery in Egypt by a pilgrimage through the waters of the Red Sea. John the Baptist is calling them to once again experience separation -- this time it is separation from their slavery to sin. This is a second exodus for Israel. One prepares them for a new covenant with God.

We might ask: “Why did God have them return to the wilderness?” I think it is symbolic in the sense that they were called to return to a place where their dependence was solely on God and in order to truly repent they, like all of us, had to exchange their pride for humility!

John was “preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” And this baptism was the symbol of repentance. The mood, the spirit, the act of repentance is the main thing! Repentance is more than ‘penitence’ or ‘godly sorrow for sin.’ Repentance is not merely remorse, admitting mistakes, not just saying to ourselves, “I have been a fool!” Repentance is more. It is even more than being ‘sorry’ for our sins. Repentance is a moral and spiritual revolution! And because of this genuine repentance is one of the hardest things in the world to do and yet it is essential if we are going to be restored to a right relationship with God. Repentance calls for the complete breakdown of pride, of selfishness, of the hunger for the prestige which can come from wealth and fame, and of the self-will.

Nothing short of repentance can lead us out disaster. Our wills must be set in a new direction. We must turn away from the fatal scramble for power, prestige, and advantage.

In the forefront of John’s call for repentance was his knowledge of the coming of the only One who can and will forgive anyone who truly repents of their sins. John’s entire message was about pointing beyond himself to Jesus Christ the Messiah! And this should be our entire message as well!

When we speak to others are we trying to get them to be impressed by us or by Jesus Christ? When we serve others are we just looking for recognition for ourselves or do we want them to know that it is not I doing this, but Christ Who lives in me? How badly do we want others to come to know the liberating and transforming power of Jesus Christ?

When we point beyond ourselves to Jesus Christ we are not only freed from the heavy--self-conscious--burden to impress but our entire lives are turned outward as we are transformed into joyful and expectant disciples of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! Do we ever remind people of Jesus Christ? Are we pointing beyond ourselves?

Have a blessed week Rev. Ed

This Weeks Event:

Saturday, January 10

Men’s Breakfast @ Williams @ 8:00AM

Youth Group @ Williams @ 3:00PM

Monday, January 12

Bible Study @ Antioch @ 7:00 PM

Tuesday, January 13

Bible Study @ Audrey Smith’s @ 10:00 AM

Lay Leadership Committee (Nominating) @Antioch @ 7:00PM

Wednesday, January 14

Prayer Meeting @ Williams @ 5:45 PM

Choir Practice @ Williams @ 6:30 PM

Worship Events –Jan. 11

Worship theme: Baptism of the Lord

Hebrew Text: Genesis 1:1-5

Sermon Text: Acts 19:1-7

Reaffirmation of Baptism/Communion

Jan. 18

Worship theme: Prepare to Follow

Hebrew Text: Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

Sermon Text: John 1: 43-51

Communion

Training Offered

Jan 18 2-5:30 Training for all church officers will be offered at VUMAC. This training will cover all aspects of the church. If you would like to attend please see Rev. Ed for details. The training will be in conjunction with the Petersburg District.

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 January 12 at 7:00PM at Antioch. We will be reviewing Psalms. We will discuss individual Psalms. 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 January 13 at 10:00AM at Audrey Smith’s house. We will be reviewing Psalms. We will discuss individual Psalms If you are looking for a study of God’s word join us not only for the study, but good fellowship.

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 .

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:
I have received offers of fire extinguishers, fire training, and having a cruet of water handy when I offer Communion. This is in response to my setting my robe on fire during services at Antioch Sunday. I thank everybody for their suggestions and support.
 
Rev Ed 
 
 
 
 Christmas Joyous
 
The Christmas Season this year in the Lunenburg Charge was a great success. We were able to take time for fellowship with our Seniors at their luncheon, decorate our trees with breakfast, dinner, and during our worship service, go caroling with the youth, making gifts for the seniors, nursing home, soldiers in Iraq.  The highlight was the special service on the 21st when our youth presented the story of the birth and the congregation was the choir.  Even Santa showed up!  We ended the season with a special Christmas Eve candlelight service. Thank you to all who helped to make this Christmas season a memorable one.  To see pictures of some of the activities go to antiochmethodistchurch.org our website.

Our Soldiers in Iraq
The following local soldiers are serving our country in Iraq.  If you would like to they would appreciate a note from home.
Soldiers' names:  SSG Fowler, Thomas J; 
   SGT Dutzman, Laura L; 
   SGT Thompson   Christopher R
 
 Address:  180th EN CO

   54th EN BN
    APO AE  09322
 


Prayer List 

Please keep the following families in your prayers:

Marjorie Thompson	Christian Sutton	Dorothy Sheilds
Myrtle Brookwell Family	Sheila Cage	Jeff Hendricks
Earl "Chucky” Barnes	Sara Sutton	Nathan Hendricks
Edna A. Bagley	Our Military	Maria Kay
Ellen & John Gentry	Cameron Fowler	David Jones
Becky Eades & boys	Edith Parham	Dee Welch
Frances Hawthorne	Tommy Cage	Bernard Bottoms
Harry & Margaret Smith	Grace DiStefano	Gayle Grant
Family Of Ed Lewis	Christopher Thompson	Betty Reese
CV & Agnes Thompson	Doug Winn	Betty Roegge
Elizabeth Crowder	Dorothy Driskill	Bertha Arthur
Margaret J. Conner	Kathy Mc Reynolds	Allen Alcock
Dorothy Ann Irby	Jason Mc Reynolds	Layton Powell
Elizabeth Biggerstaff	Otha Wilkins	Alicia Clary
Peggy & Charlie Baldwin	Elsie Pennington	Tom Fowler