6/5/2009
Years ago when serving at Gainesville First UMC, my friend, Doug Manning, told the story of a phone call that came into his business. The phone rang. The caller had a simple question. "How's my driving?" He had read the sign on one of the company's truck with an 1-800 number and the words, "How's my driving?" It was meant to give feedback on the driver but at times our messages are misunderstood. How's your website? Are your worship times prominently featured? Can you find the main phone ...
6/5/2009
My imagination was stirred this past Sunday, through the medium of music and dance. Stacy Marie Walker, Worship Leader at the 9:35 a.m. Contemporary Worship at Oak Grove UMC and others conveyed through dance, music, color and fabric the movement of the Holy Spirit. The sounds and movement gave voice to the text for that day. It reminded me that the Holy Spirit compels us to move and act in beautiful and bold ways in response to God’s great gift. Then the Feast of Pentecost ...
6/4/2009
Tomorrow I am leading a memorial service for the state convention of a women's philanthropical educational organization that I am a part of. One of the things I have done to get ready for this service is prepare a power point that has a picture and brief bio about each one who has died in the past year. As I first began working on this, I saw it more as a chore than anything - but as I began to receive the submissions from across the state, I realized that it would be more than just a usual ...
6/3/2009
Your Conference Board of Pensions & Health Benefits invites all HealthFlex members to take advantage of 2 opportunities during annual conference to positively impact your health. 1. Visit our computer kiosk station to take your Health Risk Quotient (HQ). Get help logging on, spend a few minutes privately reviewing your health risks. 2. Visit Becky Mader of ProCheck from 7 to 10 AM on Tuesday-Thursday for a FREE health screening. (Non HealthFlex members eligible for $115) You will be evaluated ...
5/24/2009
The theme of the 2009 NBA Play-Offs is "Where Will Amazing Happen?" Well, it happened in Cleveland, Ohio on Friday night, May 22. It was the second game in the Eastern Division Playoffs. Hedo Turkoglu scored to give the Orlando Magic a two-point lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers with one second left on the clock. Game over. At least that is what I thought. Cleveland called a time out. Why? It’s over! After the time out the Cavaliers put the ball in play with one second left in the game. The ...
5/22/2009
In a conversation yesterday I was told that weddings and funerals are not conducted in a certain megachurch in the Atlanta area. If this is true- and I do not know that it is- how can they call themselves "Church"? Although the many wedding ceremonies that I have been involved in took many Friday nights (for rehearsal) and Saturdays, I cannot imiagine a pastor and congregation not being a part of such a significant moment. Likewise, for a congregation not to have a service to celebrate the life...
5/18/2009
“We will probably decide to close the church during your time there.” With these “encouraging” words from my district superintendent I went to my first appointment. There were 14 people in attendance on my first Sunday- and that included my wife, our eight month old son, and me. The parsonage was an old house with two big high-ceilinged rooms on each side of a wide hallway. There was a small kitchen, bathroom, and porch on the back of the house. No central heating or air conditioning and no ...
5/18/2009
www.10thousanddoors.org More information about ReThink Church at UM Communications. No matter where we find ourselves in ministry, God always seems to be opening new ways for us to serve in the name of Christ. Take a look at these websites to see and hear exciting stories about the way the open doors of the UMC are making a difference in the world... The Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Eatonton recently painted their front doors red. Red is a traditional color for church doors as it...
5/13/2009
Refugee Sunday I Kings 17:8-15 by Tom Van Laningham & Meghan Brown Saavedra (Note: This sermon is a collaborative effort between Tom, co-sponsorship developer and Meghan, Columbia seminary intern, and it is designed as a dialogue. V1 is voice one and V2 is voice two. However, it can also be retooled as a solo event. You are welcome to use it, or any parts of it, in the context of your own congregation.) V1 This story is the first of several Elijah appearances. The most famous is the big ...
5/12/2009
The Rome Carrolton District clergy recently visited Long’s Chapel UMC just off the grounds of Lake Junaluska. Long’s Chapel has been one of our fastest growing UM Churches over the last 7 years, growing to a worship attendance of 1000. They recently added a Saturday Night Service entitled SNL or Saturday Night Life. Here is a link to an excellent use of video. http://www.vimeo.com/2196889 Send me examples of other videos so we can learn from each other. You might want to also check out Cumming...
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