February Sermons
What We Believe - The Articles of Religion of The UMC
Feb 5 - "The Fall"
- Gen 2: 15-17, 3:1-21 Article vII
Feb 12 - "Are People Basically Good?"
- Rom 1:16-32 Article VIII
Feb 19 - "Justified by Faith"
- Rom 5:1-12 Article IX
Feb 26 - "Living the Golden Rule"
- Matt 7:12-23 Article X/XI
Upcoming Events
There will be a Beth Moore Women’s Bible Study entitled Here and Now...There and Then which is the study of Revelation. This will be an 11 Week study which will start February 6th at 6:30pm with orientation. The workbooks are $10. I encourage you to invite your friends and make time for the study of scripture in your new and lasting friendships, which are made, as we reach out to study God's word.
ALL UMYF-Youth Students are invited to The Study of Romans with Pastor Greg. This group meets on Wednesday evenings in the Library from 7-8:00pm. We invite grades 6th-12th and their friends in “doing life together”.
The God of the universe is crazy about you! His love is the most powerful thing in the world and He wants to give it to you, so you can live for Him. If you have made a commitment to follow Christ, then you are encouraged to attend this 12 week study to be reminded and challenged in your walk. Study group will meet on Tuesdays from 7-8:30pm. Book/Workbook Combo $18.
Disciple III-This 16 week transformative bible study will focus on the 13 letters of the Apostle Paul, contained in the New Testament. Class offered Mondays from 7-9pm. Workbook purchase necessary.
*As always, scholarships are available for small group fees. Inability to purchase materials should never hinder your willingness to learn God’s Word. Please contact Pastor Brad if you need assistance.
FOR OUR VETERANS OF THE CHURCH -There will be a 'Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Celebration' on Saturday, March 31, 2012 from 9:00am-4:30pm at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is being hosted by the USO of North Carolina. Tickets are free and friends and family are invited. Several events are planned for the day and the crowd is expected to reach 50,000. If you have any questions or would like to go, please contact Dianne Huffman. Let's give a belated 'WELCOME HOME' to our Vietnam Veterans.
Regular Events:
Sunday Services
Worship - 8:30 & 11:00 AM Sunday School - 9:45 AM
Nursery is provided during both worship services and Sunday School hour.
Youth 6th - 12th grade / Sunday's 6:00 - 8:00 PM
United Methodist Women meet 2nd Wednesday of each month from 7:00-8:30 PM
United Methodist Men meet 3rd Sunday of each month for Devotionals and Breakfast at 7:30 AM
Choir - Tuesdays at 6:30 PM
Praise Team - Wednesdays at 6:30 PM
Charles Beck Memorial Prayer Group - Wednesdays at 6:30 AM
Pastor's Note
What We Believe –
The United Methodist Articles of Religion
Jefferson Bethke's "Why I hate religion, but love Jesus” has gone viral on the video website Youtube (youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY). To date, it has attracted over 16,000,000 views on the internet. I want to thank Cody Bolick for mentioning the video so that I could watch. I think that it is interesting that in a time of our discussion about what we believe, our own Methodist Articles of Religion, religion has a negative connotation in our society, and even among Christians.
According to dictionary, reference.com, religion can be defined as:
1. A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. A specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion.
3. The body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices.
4. The practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
In the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, there are five uses of the word religion, all of them in the New Testament. None of the uses of the word religion in the New Testament carry a negative connotation. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 3.16, regarding the Christian faith: “Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great: He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.” For Paul, the mystery of religion is summarized in the life and resurrection of Jesus. James uses the word religion twice, and both times connects the word religion with particular action. In James 1.26 he connects religion with control of the tongue: “If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless.” In the next verse, he uses the word religion to describe a uniquely Christian way of life, caring for widows and orphans: James 1.27: ‘Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”
I certainly see all true religion (which I would define as right belief, right action, with a right heart) as grounded in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. I also believe strongly that without a relationship with Jesus, we will never be able to experience the abundant life God has for us. I hope you will continue to think about what you believe. If you haven’t done so already, take a look at the You Tube video, “Why I hate religion, but love Jesus.” This may require help from one of your tech-savvy friends or family. Maybe you can watch it together and talk about what you believe.
It is a pleasure to serve you,
Pastor Brad
