Doing or Being?

As I feverishly worked between Charge Conference forms, bulletin preparation, sermon preparation, Bible study preparation, Church and Civic Committees.... it dawned on me, "Be careful what you wish (pray) for 'cause you might just get it!" We have prayed for growth. We have prepared for growth. Now we have begun to see growth. I think what some of us missed was that with church growth comes a growth of commitment to the church.
Many of us are satisfied with our level of commitment to the church. This commitment includes coming to the church, singing appropriately, placing a few dollars in the offering plate, listening to the sermon and going home. Would it surprise you to know that church membership in the early church was much different? Church membership then was less about what happened in the church building (if they were even able to assemble in a large building set aside for worship) and more about what happened out side of the church building. Of course we don't forsake the assembling together of believers, but that is more about "filling the salt shakers" so we can go out and be the "salt of the earth." As we grow I pray that each of us would look at what it means to BE a church rather than simply DOING church. We may find there is a big difference. (For more on this check out the archive of sermons link on this page.)

Free Photo Registration

This is the Link for the photo registration

Free 8 X 10

We are giving away professionally taken 8 X 10 photos of your family! Lifetouch photo directories will be at the First United Methodist Church from September 10 - 12. Members of the church will have their picture taken for the new church family directory but you do not need to be a member of the church to have your picture taken. Please allow 1 hour for registration, photo session, and viewing.

You will have the opportunity to purchase more pictures if you would like or simply accept the free 8 X 10 as a gift to you. There will be no high pressure sales from the Lifetouch people.

The samples shown are the quality of pictures you should expect.
Plan your Christmas pictures, gifts, or family portrait now.

To register please click here. You will be directed to the registration page and can select a time that is good for you.

Final Tally on Pennies

Several months ago our Children's Ministry (specifically the 2nd - 5th Grade Sunday School Class and Vacation Bible School) began collecting pennies for the Nothing But Nets program. The plan was, through the month of July, to collect pennies (and any other money people would like to donate) toward the eradication of Malaria carrying mosquitoes in Africa through the United Methodist / UMCOR / United Nations / National Basketball Association program called Nothing But Nets. The final tally has been made and the children have raised $427.31. This is enough money to purchase nearly 43 nets, and in effect have the potential to save the lives of 43 families in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Thank you for all you have done to make this possible. Often we fail to see the great things that God can do:
- through our kids
- with a few pennies
- in the life of our church
- with our small donation
- with the little things we do...
Our God can and does do great things in great ways so often. We just need to open our eyes to see it and be thankful that God has allowed us to have even a little part in it. If you would like to give in the future you may do so online at The United Methodist website or contact the church office for more information. Peace and Grace, J

update on pennies

Well, we are a long way from having 200,000 pennies but we have bought quite a few nets. We had 25 nets ($250 or 25000 pennies) prior to Vacation Bible School. The first night of Vacation Bible School we collected another 2000 pennies ($20 or 2 nets) and then last night we collected another 6000 pennies ($60 or 6 nets.)
What a great start. It is so great to see the kids getting into the work of supplying nets for the children in Africa.
May God bless the work these great kids are doing for others.

for info on the mosquito nets check out these videos:
Serious - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guSbOPjG87A
Funny - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noUyiZTDCbk

enjoy