Lunenburg United Methodist Charge

 

Antioch UMC                                                           Williams UMC

 

On our walk. . . . .                 

March 26, 2008

1 Peter 1: 3-9   Praise to God for a Living Hope

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

 

Is there any hope? This is a question that many of us face at some point in our lives.  Is there any hope...for the married couple who seem to wind up at the same dead-end of unresolved conflict again and again?  Or what about the person who has fallen victim to alcohol, drugs, or gambling or any of a number of addictive behaviors?  The person who is in so deep that he or she fears they’ll never find a way out? Is there any hope for them?  Where is the hope for the mom-to-be who goes to her obstetrician for a routine checkup and hears the words, “I’m sorry.  We can’t find a heartbeat?”  Or for a single mom who works a full-time job by day, serves as both mother and father by night and wonders to herself-- “How long can I keep this up?”  The question is...Where is hope? What is it’s source?  What reason is there to hope?

We’re not talking about the wistful, nebulous optimism that in the end everything will turn out
alright---which is what--in this world--so often passes as hope.  We’re talking about Christian hope.  And Christian hope is a hope that does not rest on humankind...but on God and God alone.  This hope rests on the living God who is known by His loving deeds...The God who raised Christ from the dead and gave Him glory, so that our faith and hope can be in Him. Christ is the only One who offers us this hope which is incorruptable and undefiled and will never fade away!!!!

The resurrection is indeed history’s greatest miracle!!! By Christ’s resurrection, God has lit this inextinguishable hope in those of us who have experienced the new birth. Without the resurrection there would be no Christian Church because Christianity is a resurrection
religion!

The hope produced by the resurrection is a living and active reality; it produces the life of hope in which the eternal power of God is at work. And this life of hope finds it’s anchor in the One who is alive even now; it is not a product of human wishes, and it is not contingent upon the passing and perishing hopes of this time bound world. This living hope is based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ! And it is a unique and personal event. This is what we as Christians celebrate every Sunday....every day! The resurrection is the crowning triumph of life in this created universe!
Jesus Christ is our assurance and pledge that the future is meaningful, that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him”, that the last word is the life that the resurrection brings, and that those who are saved through the new birth can face the future with a spirit of triumph and confront trials without the deep darkness of despair. Because Jesus lives, we shall live also. Our future is not in the hands of fate or destiny, it is in the hands of God.

 

Have a blessed week      Rev. Ed

 

Upcoming Events – March 27, 2008 – April 5,2008

Rev Ed will be taking time off this week. Therefore there will be no scheduled activities.

 

 

Worship Events –March 30, 2008

 

 Service Theme: 2nd Sunday of Easter

 This week’s reading will be: Sermon Text    John 20: 19-31

                                               Hebrew Text    Psalm 16

Pianists: Leigh Ann Bacon

Special Events: Profession of Faith - Williams

                                             

Maundy Thursday

 

On Thursday, March 20, we celebrated Maundy Thursday with a service at William’s. There were about 20 people in attendance as we celebrated not only the Lord’s Supper but the act of servitude of foot washing.  It was a time of joy and penitence.

 

Good Friday

 

On Friday, March 21, Williams UMC was the scene of a Good Friday service.  We told the story of Christ’s Passion via candlelight and as each of the 14 parts of the Crucifixion was read a candle was extinguished till there was only the Christ candle lit.  When we read about his dieing the Christ candle was extinguished and the church was in total darkness just as the world was that day 2000 years ago.

 

Sunrise Services

 

Sunrise Service on Easter Sunday March 23 at 6:30AM at Antioch was a joyful occasion. We were inside due to the cool temperatures, but the light of Christ’s resurrection was in the church and all who were in attendance. Breakfast was served immediately after services. Our thanks to all who helped with preparing the food and services.

 

150th Anniversary Throws   Throws are still available. These beautiful throws will make a great present for a family member. Our supply is running low – about 3 or 4 left.  The cost is $45.00 each.  Please call Jane DiStefano if you would like to order a throw or have any questions.  434-676-2314

 

Cookbooks are still available.

 

 Antioch has ordered an additional 400 copies. They are here and we have an abundance of them for sale if you wish to get one or more. The cost is $10 each. . If you would like to purchase one, you may contact any member of Antioch Church, or call Earl or Barbara Callis at 676-3063

 

Report from the Mission Committee.

 

 The Antioch Mission Committee is looking for volunteers to take part in a Walkathon to take place on May 3rd.  Maybe you would like to form a team to do this walk. All pledges will be given to the Lunenberg Ministries to continue their work in our community. Attached is a pledge form and additional information in you are interested. Contact Brenda Barnes if more information is needed.

 

 

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 April 8 at 7:00PM at Antioch. We will be reviewing chapters 11-20 of the Book of Judges. We will discuss the events depicted in the book. 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 April 8 at 10:00AM at Audrey Smith’s house. We will be reviewing the first 10 chapters of the Book of Judges. We will discuss the events depicted in the book. 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 may call him on his cell phone:  252-532-0952.  He can also be reached via e-mail at revedumc@yahoo.com .   If you would like to receive e-mail messages from the pastor send an e-mail to him at revedumc@yahoo.com and we will add you to our list.

 

 

 

 

Please keep the following families in your prayers:

Marjorie Thompson

Christian Sutton

Bertha Arthur

Sarah Agnes Callis

Sheila Cage

Jeanette Smith

Family of Thomas Reeves

Sara Sutton

Jeff Hendricks

Earl "Chucky” Barnes

Our Military

Nathan Hendricks

Edna & Wilson Bagley

Mae Overby

Maria Kay

Dorothy Shields

Doug Winn

Frances Hawthorne

Ellen & John Gentry

Nancy Grant

Elizabeth Biggerstaff 

Becky Eades & boys

Gertrude Hite

Bernard Bottoms

Mildred Carter

Tommy Cage

Paul & Jing Turner

Family of Donald Shoop

Tom Tanner

Harry Smith

Lindsey Abernathy

Grace DiStefano

Margaret Gregory

Margaret Smith

Joe Coleman

Alicia Clary

Junior McHenry

Denise Harper

Layton Powell

Rev. Allen Branson

Alyene Neal

Judy Dawson

CV & Agnes Thompson

Rev. Earl Pinchbeck

Nan Clemmons

Mary Hayes

Cynthia Peebles

Lydia Payne

Kenneth McDaniel

Virginia King

David King

Justin McDaniel

Thomas Clegg

Haynie Hite

John & Lori McDaniel

Family of Todd Miller

Danny Horne

David Arthur

Dawn Bacon

Wayne Hendricks

Wendy Ripberger

Mary Crowder

Jessie Driggs

Amanda & Sarah McLain

Kitty Matthews

 

Haynie Hite

 

 

 

 

The Methodist Way 

 

          Primary among the means of grace is the Lord’s Supper. Sometimes Methodists call this sacrament Holy Communion; sometimes it is called Eucharist. A sacrament has these characteristics: Jesus Christ asked his followers to do it; there is some physical symbol; God has promised to give grace, to which the response is faith.

 

         Some Christian traditions claim that the Lord’s Supper is simply a human memorial (a remembering) of what God has done in the death of Jesus Christ. Other Christian traditions assert that the elements (bread and wine) are not just signs of the body and blood of Christ, bur actually become the body and blood of Christ. As often is the case, Methodists get an understanding from both of these views: there is a real presence of Jesus Christ in this sacrament, but it is a spiritual presence, not a bodily presence. Of Course, it is nonetheless real for being spiritual!

 

         There are many images of and dimensions to the Lord’s Supper. Is it a family meal? Yes, it is a gathering at the family Table (1Cor. 11:33). Is it a partaking of the body and blood of Jesus? Yes, our Lord made that proclamation himself (Matt. 26:26-28). Is it an anticipation of God’s full reign in the coming kingdom?  Yes, it is an advance taste of the days God has planned for us (Luke 14:15). Is it testimony to our Lord’s death for us? Yes, it is the presence again of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross (1 Cor. 11:26). Is it witness to God’s use of ordinary life to give extraordinary gifts? Yes, bread and wine are basic, daily food, but God touches them hear with special grace (1 Cor. 11:23-24). Is it a way to remember Jesus? Yes, Christ’s sacrifice was once and for all, but commemorating that sacrifice is par of the Table (Heb.7: 27; Luke 22:19). Is it a fellowship of believers? Yes, there is unity at the Lord’s Table (1 Cor10:16-17). Is it thanksgiving for what God has done in Christ? Yes, our Lord gave thanks and so do we (Mark 14: 22-23). Is it a joyful occasion? Yes, although the Lord’s Supper is about serious business, it is a joyful business (Acts 2:46-47)!  

 

      Being Methodist in the Bible Belt” F. Belton Joyner, Jr.

 

 

Remember: The best mathematical equation I have ever seen:

                         1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given

 

 

Have a Blessed Week

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Fifth Annual 

 

 Lunenburg County Ministries
 

 


Walk-A-Thon

 

 

 

When:    9:00 AM, May 3, 2008

        Where:  Victoria and Kenbridge, VA.

                 Start:   Central High School, Victoria, VA

                              End:   Farmer’s Foods, Kenbridge, Virginia  23944

Distance: ~7 Miles   

 

 

Walker/Church   ____________________________________________

 

Total Amount Pledged:  ___________________________________________

 

                        Sponsor                                  Amount Pledged

 

1.        ______________________________                          ___________________

 

2.     ______________________________                          ___________________

 

3.     ______________________________                          ___________________

 

4.     ______________________________                          ___________________

 

5.     ______________________________                          ___________________

 

6.     ______________________________                          ___________________

 

7.     ______________________________                          ___________________

 

8.     ______________________________                          ___________________

 

9.     ______________________________                          ___________________

 

10.   ______________________________                          ___________________