Lunenburg United Methodist Charge

 

Antioch UMC                                                           Williams UMC

 

On our walk. . . . .                 

October 31, 2008

Pastor’s Message –

1 John 3:1-3

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

Sometimes I find myself wondering about what we’re doing spinning around on this crazy big world of ours. Sometimes life seems random and meaningless, while at other times it is obvious to me that I was put here for a reason, created for some amazing purpose that I don’t fully understand.  Do you ever wonder what life is all about? Do you ever wonder what you’re here for?  Do you ever wish you could read God’s mind and understand what he’s up to?  We begin our journey of discovery.  A journey we must go on if we are ever going to understand what God has made us for.

 

We need to go into this weekend keeping something very important in mind: you may not see what God has created you for and you may have no idea what his purpose for your life is, but remember he is the God of the impossible. What we never imagine God could use our lives for is the starting point for developing a holy imagination.  As we enter this weekend I want to ask you to trust that God has a purpose for you life, even if you don’t understand what that is.  That he designed you for something that goes beyond your ability to imagine.

 

God created you to make an impact.  At the end of your life, what do you want to be remembered for?  Do you want to be remembered for being intelligent, creative, innovative, popular, beautiful, or successful?  Or do you want to be remembered for something that really matters.  God created your life to leave a lasting imprint on this world.  In other words, if your life were a tree, God wants the branches of your life to produce some serious fruit.

 

Our own efforts, without God, at having an impact on the world are only going to mess people up.  We cannot have a significant impact if we are not staying close to Jesus.  As we grow in our love for him and as we mature as disciples we will become more available to his purposes and he will use us in ways that we cannot even begin to imagine.

 

Before you can grow as a disciple you must have a relationship with Jesus, and you must take that relationship seriously and make it your number one priority in life.  No relationship can grow apart from a serious commitment. It is our commitment to Jesus that determines the impact our lives will have on others for God.


Can you think of anything better than knowing that your life was spent on something you were passionately committed to?

 

                 God bless

 

Upcoming Events – October 25– October 31

 

Saturday, November 1

   Williams Yard Sale and Stew  

   Antioch Men’s Breakfast @Antioch @ 8:00AM

Sunday November 2

  Charge Conference Workshop @ Williams @ 1:00PM

Monday, November 3

   Bible Study@ Antioch@7:00PM

Tuesday, November 4  

    No Bible Study@ Audrey Smith’s @ 10:00 AM

Wednesday, November 5

   Prayer Meeting @ Williams @ 5:45 PM

   William’s Celebration Choir practice @ Williams @ 6:30 PM

   Antioch Nominating Committee Meeting @ Antioch @ 7:30PM

   

 

Worship Events—October 26

  Service Theme: All Saint Day

 This week’s reading will be: Sermon Text     Matthew 5:1-12

                                               Hebrew Text      Psalm 34:1-10, 22

Pianists:   Yvette Morris

                Nancy Turner

 

                 

Trip to View the Dead Sea Scrolls

 

We are offering a trip to Raleigh to view the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Museum of Natural Resources. If you would like to take part in this entertaining and informative event please sign up on Sunday.  The cost for the museum is $15 and, depending on the number going, the cost of the bus could be as little as $18 per person. The bus holds 46 and we currently have 22 signed up.   We will need to have payment in full by Sunday, Nov. 8th.

 

Ladies Tea at Williams

Williams Ladies Tea that took place on Saturday, Oct 25 was a great success.  The Ladies gathered and prepared 38 loaves of pumpkin, and apple bread. Then they delivered all the bread to those who were homebound or in need of companionship.

 

Williams Yard Sale and Stew

Williams will be holding a yard and stew sale on November 1.  It will be held at the home of Tom and Willie Ann Tanner.  If you would like to pre-order please contact Nancy Turner, Ida Bowen or Barbara Reese

 

Antioch on Tour Route

Saturday, Oct 25 Antioch was a stop on the Lunenburg Historical tour.  Some 40 visitors arrived at the church about 2:00PM and toured the facility. One of the messages we received said. “Antioch is such a very special place, in architecture and in feeling. Thanks so much for the guided tour and for caring as many do for the church.”

 

 

THANKSGIVING FOOD FOR NEEDY:

Please remember that we are collecting non-perishable items for Thanksgiving food baskets for the needy.  You can leave your donations in the box in the office at Antioch or in the Narthex at Williams.  Anything you can spare will be very helpful.  More and more people are in need during these difficult times.  Thanks in advance for your help.

 

RAFFLE:  Williams will be raffling a Thanksgiving Basket on Sunday November 22nd.  The basket will be filled with enough food to make a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner, plus several other items.  If you would like to purchase a ticket please see a member of Williams UMC or Jane DiStefano.  If you would like to make a donation to the basket, please see any member at Williams or give to Jane DiStefano.

 

Cookbooks are still available.  The Christmas Season will soon be upon us.  A great gift would be the Antioch Cookbook.  If you would like to order one, please contact Earl Callis or anyone at Antioch.  They can get a copy to you for $10 each.

 

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 November 3 at 7:00PM. We will be reviewing the Book of Esther

 

Morning Bible Study. Morning Bible study will NOT take place this week as Rev Ed has a meeting to attend in Halifax. We will continue on November 11 at 10:00 AM at Audrey Smith’s house. We will be reviewing the Book of Esther. If you would like to join in the discussion please join us.

                             

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.

 

 

Remember: Vote! If you do then you can complain. If you don’t you can’t complain!

 

Have a Blessed Week