On our walk. . . . . June 18, 2007

Pastor’s Message –

Acts 10:34-38

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what happened through out Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached ---- how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him

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Peter, in this reading, is at the house of Cornelius, a Roman Centurion. Cornelius called Peter to visit him because he saw a vision of a man in shining clothes who told him to send for Peter. When Peter arrived he began to tell the good news of Jesus Christ to the entire family of Cornelius and shortly the Holy Spirit came to all of them. Peter had been called to evangelize. Have you been called to do the same? In today’s world there are too many people who are happy with the way things are and don’t feel the need to reach out. They don’t want to bring others to know the love of Jesus Christ and they don’t want those people in their church. Peter was called to visit this family, a family of Romans. Jesus calls us to become evangelists to all. Let’s take up the theme of this year’s conference, “Let’s Get Growing All for Christ” and bring those of our community who don’t know Christ to him. Seek out the poorest, the down trodden and the hopeless and invite them to come to church; let them hear the word of God and maybe, just maybe, they will come to know him. God doesn’t show favoritism.

God Bless

Upcoming Events – June 18- June 24

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

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

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Prayer Mtg. @ Williams @ 5:45 PM

Choir Practice @ Williams @ 6:30 PM

Saturday, June 23, 2007

150^th Anniversary Celebration @ Antioch

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Worship @ 11:00 AM

Lunch and Special Activities @ 12:00 on the grounds.

150^th Anniversary, Antioch

The time has arrived for this joyous occasion. Please join us as we celebrate the 150^th Anniversary of Antioch Church. The weekend will be a time of remembering, of reunion, of celebrating the history of the facility and looking to the future as we start another chapter in our church’s history. There will be plenty for everybody to do. Come and visit with your past ministers and relive the past one more time. Enjoy the food and fellowship that will permeate the church on both days. Listen to music praising not only our church but our God.

Cookbooks are still available. If you would like to purchase one, please contact Susan Moseley at 676-2081, Gayle Grant at 676-3531, or Trudy Wilkins at 676-4458. The committee has ordered 300 more copies so we will have many more available to sell and as soon as they arrive we’ll let you know.

The Auction scheduled for Saturday, June 23^rd is looking for items to be auctioned off. If you have anything you would like to donate please contact Earl Callis at 676-3063. We need a list of as many of these items as soon as possible so they can be listed in our advertising.

150^th Anniversary Throws are here. They will be available for sale at $45.00 each through out the weekend or until they are all sold. Please call Jane DiStefano if you would like to order a throw or have any questions. 434-676-2314

Bagley Print. Remember that we will still be selling raffle tickets for the Bagley print until the end of the Auction on Saturday. If you have already sold tickets, please remember to turn your money in by Saturday morning (and your ticket stubs)

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. The response has been overwhelming. I will be preparing for the start of our week night Bible study and will contact those who have shown an interest in learning more about God and His word and what it means in today’s world. Please watch for more information as we draw closer to August.

The Methodist Way

Each church shall have a council whose members shall include but not be limited to a chairperson, lay leader, representatives of the PPR, the Finance Committee, trustees, UMM, UMW, United Methodist Youth, the pastor.

Book of Discipline 2004

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

Annual Conference. This year’s conference was exciting and full of learning opportunities. The theme for this year was Let’s Get Growing All for Christ. The drive was not only to start the process to begin 250 new churches in the next 20 years, but for all Methodists to become evangelists and step outside of their walls and grow their churches. We heard from Rev. Michael Slaughter of Ginghamsburg UMC in Ohio. He has watched his church grow from 100 in worship to over 4,000 in worship each weekend. He told us about how, in an area that was economically depressed, the church was able to not only survive but grow to these staggering numbers. Dr. Lovett Weems presented an eye opening discussion on the growth potential in Virginia. Dr. Weems data shows that Virginia in all areas will grow between 25 to 35 percent in the next 20 years. Both men challenged us to go back to our churches and lead them forward to the full potential for growth that they have.

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.

LIFT OFF!

Vacation Bible School. A Vacation Bible School entitled “Lift Off” will take place in the Lunenburg Charge. It is scheduled for August 6 – 10 at Williams UMC. Have your children become “Sky Scouts.” Let them take off on each day at 9:00 AM and land at 1:00 PM knowing more about God’s love. There are registration forms at each church, or you can call Ida Bowen at 434-447-4375.

Please keep the following families in your prayers:

Marjorie Thompson	Allen Given	Bertha Arthur
Frances Hawthorne	Lona Parham	Jeffrey Hendricks
Earl "Chuckie” Barnes	Sarah Agnes Callis	Dorothy Shields
Edna & Wilson Bagley	Audrey Smith	Elsie Pennington
Margareta Smith Family	Gayle Grant	Maria Kay
Carl Acones	Ashley Grant	Paul & Argy Turner
Betty Acones	Keith Morris	David Glassock
Lynn Lyles	Justin McDaniel	Joe Coleman
Melvin L. Crutchfield	Marylan Dayton	Kenneth McDaniel
“B” & Teewah Hayes	Christian Sutton	Dee Dee Zava
Edith Tanner	Garland Parham	Grace DiStefano
Elizabeth Biggerstaff	Sheila Cage	Adam Hooper
Connie Dunnavont	Sara Sutton	Jean Parham
Hailey Hayes	Ron Halbrook	Tommy Cage
Family of William Doty	Allie Daniel	Gertrude Hite
Toni, Craig & Tyler Baird	Barbara Callis

In the Library:

More Stories for the Heart- over 100 stories to warm you heart- by Billy Graham, Max Lucado, James Dobson, Chuck Swindoll, Ruth Graham, Erma Bombeck, Paul Harvey and more…complied by Alice Gray

Remember:

Don’t’ put a question mark where God put a period.

Have a Blessed Week