On our walk. . . . .                 June 25, 2007

 

Pastor’s Message –

Romans 15: 17-21

 

Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus, in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done – by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. Rather as it is written:

               Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.

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Pual, in this reading is writing to the Romans.  He is emphasizing the work he did in Judea to bring the word of God to the people who were considered by the Jews as outcasts.  Why is he doing this?  Paul wrote to the Romans so they would know that the word of Christ was meant to be spread to ALL.  It didn’t matter who spreads it as long as the word of Jesus was spread for all to hear, understand, and obey.  In our community today there are people who don’t know Christ. They don’t belong to the family of Christ.  It is as Paul says in this reading we are to tell them about him so they will see and those who have not heard about him will understand.  That is our responsibility as the children of God. To let them hear, understand, see Jesus Christ.  We need to bring these people into the family of God and into our church so they may know god as we do. 

 

God Bless

 

 

 

Upcoming Events – June 25- July 1

 

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

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

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

   Prayer Mtg. @ Williams @ 5:45 PM

   Choir Practice @ Williams @ 6:30 PM

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

150th Anniversary, Antioch

 

Antioch United Methodist Church celebrated their 150th Anniversary on Saturday and Sunday June 23rd and 24th.  The church was built in 1857 and continues to be an active congregation today in 2007.  The name Antioch has been an integral part of the Methodist society since before 1806 when an Antioch Meeting House was located ‘down the road across from Papa Johnny’s farm.’

 

Activities for the weekend included an auction, children’s games and store, and special services.   The auction, children’s games and store on Saturday were a huge success due to the number of generous donations by local businesses and individual people.  Sunday was a day of fellowship shared by many past and present members, pastors and guests.  The day began with services at 11:00 AM with the District Superintendent Jim Tongue bringing the message titled “Remember the ‘Wonderful’ Works the Lord Has Done” which consisted of a history lesson of Antioch’s past, present and future.  The service was followed by an excellent lunch and time for fellowship, watching a slideshow, and mingling among various historical displays.   At 1:30PM a special service consisting of reflections from past and present preachers, Revs. Michael Day, Paul Beighley, Albert Green,  sharing of memories from members and special music provided by Rev. Earl Pinchbeck, Rev. Mike Day, Michelle Zava Bolter and Antioch’s choir.  An excellent time of spiritual fellowship was shared by all. 

 

The Antioch congregation wants to thank everyone who helped in any way make this occasion such a special memory for all who attended.  “We, the congregation of Antioch United Methodist Church, believers in one true God, come together in love and unity to nurture all people and enrich the lives of the community. We welcome your attendance with open heart, minds and doors.”

 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy spirit be with you all.  2 Corinthians 13:14

 

A special thanks goes out to Brenda Barnes.  Brenda had the unenviable task of chairing this wonderful occasion.  I know the amount of work that not only she did but all of the committee members did to make this weekend a true success.  God bless all of you for a job well done.

 

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 received 300 more copies so we will have many to sell. 

 

The Auction.  The auction held on Saturday was a true success as of this writing more than $4,000 has been raised.  A great big thanks to Earl Callis for the great job he did on setting this event up.  Thanks are also extended to all who manned the children booths, the memorabila table and assisted the auctioneer.  The sun shined on us in more ways that one on Saturday.

 

150th Anniversary Throws are here. They are available for sale at $45.00 each.  Please call Jane DiStefano if you would like to purchase a throw or have any questions.  434-676-2314

 

 

 

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

 

Social Principles

The Social Principles are a prayerful and thoughtful effort on the part of the General Conference to speak to the human issues in the contemporary world from a biological and theological foundation as historically demonstrated in United Methodist traditions. They are a call to faithfulness and are intended to be instructive and persuasive.  The Social Principles are a call to all members to a prayerful, studied, dialogue of faith and practice in the natural world, nurturing the community, the social community, the economic community, the political community, the world community.

 

                                                                            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  Rev Ed will be leaving for Duke this weekend. It is part of the training that goes with the job. He’ll be gone for the entire month, but will try to keep everyone informed through his time away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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:

 

The One Year Bible Companion

Questions and answers to help you make the most of your daily Bible reading is a Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Special Edition

 

 

Remember:

 

No matter the storm, when you are with God, there’s always a rainbow waiting. Leave gentle fingerprints on the soul of another for the angels to read.

 

Have a Blessed Week

 

Pictures of the Celebration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you like to see more please go to our web site http://www.antiochmethodistchurch.org/onefifty/photos.html David Arthur has many more pictures there of the celebration