Pastor's Blog

Missions Sunday

Mon, 14 May 2012 18:14:00 GMT

Today is Missions Sunday!

Yes, Missions Sunday is finally here! I’ve been looking forward to Missions Sunday. I hope you have, too. Today, we’re going to celebrate and highlight some of the great missions and ministries that take place every day in our church. But our purpose for today is not just to celebrate and highlight missions and ministries. Our purpose for today is also to get more people excited about being involved in missions and ministry and bring more people into our missions and ministry teams! Today is a great opportunity for you to hear about ministries, see what “strikes a chord” in your spirit, and sign up today to join a missions or ministry team! My prayer is that every single person in the Redwine Church family would commit to a meaningful ministry in which to serve.

Here are some of the missions and ministries that we’ll be hearing from in our worship hours this morning:

Relay for Life
Backpack Love
Family Promise
Henderson Settlement
Orphanage Emmanuel
South Hall Food Pantry
Wake Up Wednesdays
Thrift Store
United Methodist Apportionments

A big and exciting component of today’s Missions Sunday is a Missions Fair in the Fellowship Hall that is ready for you after each worship service today. So, at 10AM and 12 noon, don’t go home! Go to the Fellowship Hall and walk through the Missions Fair. You’ll find tables set up by Mission or Ministry and a person at each table to talk about the ministry, answer questions, and sign you up when you decide to be a part!

Isn’t this exciting? Service and ministry is the purpose and function of the Church of Jesus Christ and Missions Sunday is designed to help you become involved in a meaningful ministry, if you aren’t already. Beside the Great Commission, my favorite church mission statement in the Bible is Ephesians 4:12: “To prepare God’s people for works of service so the body of Christ will be built up.”

Today, if you’re not participating in a mission or ministry, I hope you will “get on board!” It’s God plan and will for the Church. It’s God’s plan and will for you, too. See you at the Missions Fair!

Your Pastor and Friend, Mark

Mother's Day

Mon, 07 May 2012 21:17:00 GMT

Happy Mother’s Day

I greet you on this Mother’s Day! For most of us, our mothers are a fond memory and if you are or were blessed with a good and Godly mother, I remember and praise the Lord with you.

However, for some, mothers may not hold such a strong tie in the heart. For you, I share your pain and heaviness and pray that the Lord’s blessing and smile will lift you up today.

Through the years and seven churches I have served in ministry, I have had a few members say they stay away from church on Mother’s Day (or Father’s Day, Christmas, or Easter) because the day is too painful for them emotionally. It brings back memories of their loved one(s) and they just don’t want to sit in a pew and have to endure that publicly. I truly understand that. My sister has recently shared with me that she, too, has these same feelings.

Given the emotional nature of Mother’s Day, we’re not simply going to celebrate and praise mothers (though they surely deserve it!) No, greater even than that, we’re going to celebrate love today. We’re going to delve into Jesus’ words to us about love and lift them up and bring them right into our hearts. It is my hope and prayer that in our time together this morning, love itself will find its way into your heart in a warm way and that love itself brings blessing and encouragement and hope to you in a fresh and new way today.

Now, having said that, let me leave you with something “somebody” said about mothers.

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby. Somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, “Normal,” is history.
Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct. Somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.
Somebody said being a mother is boring. Somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.
Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother. Somebody never helped a fourth grader with her math.
Somebody said you can't love the fifth child as much as you love the first. Somebody doesn't have five children.
Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery. Somebody never watched her “baby” get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten or on a plane headed for military boot camp.
Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her. Somebody isn't a mother.

Thank you, Mom, for everything. I miss you. I can see you in heaven close to the gate waiting for me with your arms open. One day I’ll be there. Before you know it, I’ll be there.

God bless you all today. Your Pastor and Friend, Mark

Confirmation Sunday

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:45:00 GMT

Why I Love Confirmation Sunday

This year's curriculum was titled, Credo: Know Your Story, Confirm Your Faith, Live Your Commitment. The Confirmation Experience is a continuation of a young person's faith journey which began at baptism (if he or she were baptized as an infant) and the beginning of his or her covenant relationship with the Church of Jesus Christ. It consists of instruction, discussion, study, homework, and prayer all designed to help each young person learn about faith and have a sense of how to live as a disciple of Christ in a covenant relationship with the church.

Today, Confirmation Sunday, our worship will center around celebrating our young people's Confirmation journey and hearing their own personally developed life and faith Credo! Say hello to this year’s Confirmands!

Allie Grace	Matthew McManus
Phenix Frier	E.B. Glover
Hunter Johnson	Georgia Warnock
Kenna Beaman	Tucker Rothschild

Here are just some of the reasons why I love Confirmation Sunday:

First, It Recognizes and Initiates Young People as “persons of age,” that is, as responsible church members who are aware:

1) of who they are in the sight of God, 2) of who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for them on the cross, 3) of the presence of God through His Holy Spirit, and 4) that the Church is the bride and body of Jesus Christ established on earth to be God’s earthly Kingdom Outpost where people love each other, grow in discipleship, and serve others in mission both locally and globally. There is no higher calling than to be initiated into the fellowship of the Church of Jesus Christ. I’ve always believed that. It’s thrilling and exciting to witness!

Second, The Church Family is an Active Participant in the Confirmation experience. Today the church will read and recite important liturgy that serves to embrace our young people and pledges love, prayers, and support to them all the days of their lives. Confirmation gives us, the Church, a chance to truly be the Church: to receive and initiate young disciples into its functioning ministry life. Confirmation is the Church of Jesus Christ carrying out Jesus’ great Commission of making disciples.

Third, The Holy Spirit is Active and Moving in our presence when we recognize, celebrate, and initiate our youngest disciples of Jesus Christ. This morning, let’s all open our hearts to feel the fresh blowing of God’s Holy Spirit as He moves among us in this celebration.

God bless you, Redwine Church family, as we take an active part in our Confirmands’ experience. God bless you, Confirmands. We love you and want you to know we are always here for you. Now, go and lead us in blessing and serving others. For surely we all know that you are our future.

Your Pastor and Friend, Mark

Friendship Sunday

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 21:02:00 GMT

Welcome to Friendship Sunday!

Okay. I’ll be the first one to say it. I love Friendship Sunday! I love it for several reasons. First, we come together in this place under the grand and marvelous theme of Friendship! Of course, we gather together as friends every Sunday in church, but, today, on Friendship Sunday, we take a special and intentional opportunity to lift high the theme of Friendship. We’re going to celebrate friendship. We’re going to sing about friendship. We’re going to pray for our friendships. I hope that you will not leave this place today without having at least a few good hugs of friendship!

Second, I love Friendship Sunday because it gives us an opportunity to turn to God’s word and learn about the nature, essence, and qualities of good friendship. This morning, we’re going to learn from The Teacher, Ecclesiastes, King Solomon himself, in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. I hope that today the Lord will give us all a better understanding and appreciation of good friendship.

Third, I love Friendship Sunday because that means it’s covered dish Sunday! There’s a middle-eastern saying, “People will never be friends unless they share a meal together.” The early disciples regularly had what has been called “agape’ meals,” or “Love Feasts.” Our Love Feast today brings the Holy Spirit among us and sweetens our time together. He helps us fill our hearts with conversations and laughter among friends and our stomachs will an incredible assortment of delicious delectables! I hope you will come and enjoy the meal that is waiting for us right now over in the Fellowship Hall! It doesn’t matter if you didn’t bring anything. There is always plenty!

It’s not only great having a few friends. We can even say good friendship is essential to having a whole, balanced, and satisfying life. Like many of you, I have always loved the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life,” starring Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten to the end of that movie and not either cried or suppressed a waterfall of tears! In the story, George learns one of life’s greatest lessons. At the end of the story, with the law after him for misplacing an $8,000 deposit (way to go Uncle Billy), George is standing in his living room beside the family Christmas tree holding his daughter Zuzu. Friends bearing cash come to his rescue to keep him from going to jail. On the table filled with dollars bills, coins, even jewelry people donated for the cause, George finds a copy of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer with this inscription from Clarence Odbody, his guardian angel: “Dear George: Remember no man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for the wings! Love, Clarence.” Immediately, a bell on the Christmas tree jingles and his daughter Zuzu says, “Look, Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.” Tears filling his eyes, George says to Zuzu, “That’s right! That’s right!”

Let’s open our hearts this morning and share God’s Great Spirit of Friendship with each other! I’ll see you at the Love Feast!

Your Pastor and Friend, Mark

Upcoming Events

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:02:00 GMT

Some Things Coming Up

I remember hearing the Rev. Dr. John Ed Mathison, retired Senior Pastor of Fraser Memorial United Methodist Church in Montgomery, Alabama say many years ago, “If the pastor knows everything that’s going on in the life of a church, there’s not enough going on!” Now, I know John Ed did not say that to excuse himself from knowing about or being involved in the mission and ministry life of his church! No, for surely he and many other faithful disciples of Christ built an amazing Christian outpost there in Montgomery.

What John Ed was doing was pointing to what a church could be and ought to be: one where every member was engaged in meaningful ministry, where new mission and ministry initiatives were birthed openly and often. Mathison’s guide for pursuing a ministry was just this: “If there’s someone spiritually led to lead in the proposed ministry, we will do it. If there isn’t, that’s our sign from the Holy Spirit that we shouldn’t do it right now.”

It’s an ethos where church is an incubator of and for ministry. That inspires me. I have the same view. Here at Redwine UMC, I want to nurture a climate of “church as incubator” for ministry. We’ve already seen some new ministries rise up in 2012 alone and I hope and pray that we’ll have more this year. Many more.

I want to mention a few ministries that are coming up that I hope will encourage you and inspire you in faith and love and service, even fellowship!

First, this Saturday at 10AM, there will be a gathering in the Fellowship Hall of people who will be putting together Missions Presentation Boards for our upcoming Missions Sunday, which will be Sunday, May 20. Be watching for information about Missions Sunday in upcoming bulletins and the May newsletter. God bless you Ministry leaders!

Second, next Sunday is FRIENDSHIP SUNDAY! It’s a 5th Sunday, so bring a covered dish or two and some friends and neighbors to enjoy worship, friendship, fellowship, and, oh yes, great food! Remember, there’s only one 11AM Worship Service on Friendship Sunday. I’m so glad we’re being intentional on 5th Sundays to bring both worship congregations together under one roof!

Lastly, also this Saturday, the (Holy) Ghost Riders ride again! This is our second ride and, like the first one, it starts at 7:30AM in the church parking lot. We’ll go to Kurt’s for a quick breakfast, then hit the road to Fields of the Wood Bible Park in Murphy, NC.

I am so excited about the movement of ministry here at Redwine UMC. Please talk to me, Debbie Flanagan our Missions Chair, or any staff member if the Holy Spirit lays a mission or ministry on your heart. I would love nothing better than for one day someone to come up to me and tell me about an aspect of ministry at Redwine that I didn’t know about! That’s a happy thought for me! God bless you!

Your Pastor and Friend, Mark

United Methodist Children's Home

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:55:00 GMT

Welcome Christa Gaudinier and Sondra Rogers from the Gainesville District Office of the United Methodist Children’s Home

As a United Methodist, I have always had a soft spot in my heart for The United Methodist Children’s Home (UMCH). I trust you have, too. Being a United Methodist ministry means the UMCH is our shared ministry in North Georgia. Since 1871, the UMCH has been providing the following services to children, teens, and families: Foster Care, Adoption, Independent Living, Transitional Living, Family Housing, Family Counseling, Parenting Classes and Financial Aid. You may not remember that the UMCH has five locations: Decatur (Home Office), Augusta, Gainesville, Dalton, and Rome. The UMCH is NOT funded by the North Georgia Conference budget. It depends on funding from outside sources, including our Conference’s annual Children’s Home Workday Offering every September.

This morning, we have in my absence an opportunity to learn more about this important ministry. I thank Christa Gaudinier and Sondra Rogers of the UMCH’s Gainesville Office for coming today to share with us what’s new and what’s old in the ministry life of the Home.

Welcome Christa! Christa is the Foster Care Recruiter. A few months ago, I had an opportunity to sit at a lunch table with Christa. She shared with a group of pastors the details of our foster care ministry and how we can support and be involved in that ministry. Christa is excited about supporting and resourcing the Foster Parents ministry. She says that Psalm 147:3 has given her great comfort and direction for her life’s work: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” She also states, “In this line of work, you have to know that beyond what any human can do, there is a much bigger God working toward the redemption of His people.” Amen to that! Welcome to Redwine, Christa!

Welcome Sondra! Sondra is the Supervisor in the Gainesville Office of the UMCH. Sondra is a product of North Georgia. She attended Hall County public schools and graduated from North Hall High School. She received her BBA degree in Management from North Georgia College & State University and her MSW degree from the University of Georgia. Sondra has an extensive and impressive working background in social services. She has three children, a daughter and two sons, and enjoys family activities, listening to music, going to the beach/mountains, and dancing. Sondra says, “I look forward each day to the challenges and excitement of the position, and I can’t wait to see what difference we can make in the community today.”

Welcome Christa and Sondra and thank you, from all of us, for the ministry you lead us in every single day of the year. May God continue to bless you and give you strength to do what He has called you to do for His children and families.

Your Pastor and Friend, Mark

Christ, the Center of Life

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:42:00 GMT

Christ, the Center of Life, Comes Riding on a Donkey

Today is Palm Sunday, the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. On this day, Jesus faced some very important things: his final week on earth, his last goodbyes with the disciples, the cross of Calvary. On this day long ago, at least for a few hours, Jesus was the center of life for the people of Jerusalem. The people worked themselves into a frenzy about Him because they were ripe, ready, overdo for a conquering Messiah. Finally, the One, God’s One, was before them who was going to lead them into battle and oust the hated Romans from their homeland. This was worth celebrating! Of course, their conception of God’s Messiah was wrong and their cheers turned to jeers later that week. Some of those same voices that celebrated Jesus on Sunday were shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” on Friday morning.

Palm Sunday invites us to celebrate Jesus Christ as the center of all life, generally, and to make Him the center of our personal lives, specifically. This morning, our scripture is the traditional Palm Sunday Psalter reading, Psalm 118. Here is a very interesting Bible fact:

The shortest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 117.

The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119.

The chapter in the center of the Bible is Psalm 118.

Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalm 118.

Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalm 118.

Add 594 + 594 and the answer is 1188.

The center verse of the Bible is Psalm 118:8.

It’s so fitting and spiritually amazing that the verse that is at the very center of the Bible is a verse that talks about centering our lives! We should trust God and not humankind. If anyone asks you what God’s will is for their life, a good scriptural place to send them is Psalm 118:8.

Happy Palm Sunday to you and your family. Take worship today as an opportunity to center or re-center your life around Jesus Christ, the One Who rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and who later gave Himself on the Cross to set you free from your sins. THAT is worth shouting, “Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Your Pastor and Friend, Mark

Simon Peter

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:27:00 GMT

Welcome Simon Peter

This morning we meet Jesus’ disciple, Simon Peter. The truth is there are things, good and bad, in Simon Peter’s personality and character that also live in us. Listen to this story.

Master teacher and preacher, Dr. Fred Craddock, tells about something that happened many years ago while he was driving cross country. He had stopped at a small diner somewhere in the South to refresh himself with an early breakfast and some coffee. He had been driving through the night and now it was getting close to dawn. And he was sleepy.

As he waited for his breakfast order to come, Craddock spied a black man who had just come in and had sat down on a stool up by the lunch counter. The diner’s manager then began to treat the black man with a contempt that was clearly borne of deep seated racism. The manager was rude, insulting, demeaning toward his black guest. As he sat in his booth a little ways away from the counter, Craddock wrestled with whether to say something to chide this manager for his shameful, racist conduct.

Meanwhile the black man quickly slurped down some coffee and fled into the darkness. Craddock remained silent. “I didn’t say anything,” he confessed. “I quietly paid my bill, left the diner, and headed back to my car. But as I walked through the parking lot, somewhere in the distance, I heard a rooster crow.”

One Sunday Fred Craddock was a guest preacher at a church and he preached a sermon with that story in it. After the service, a man came up to him in the narthex, shook Craddock’s hand vigorously, and said, “Thank you, pastor, for that powerful sermon. That really hit home! Oh, but by the way, what was that business with the rooster?”

Well, you and I know about that business with the rooster! Peter is the disciple who denied Jesus three times in the courtyard of the high priest early on crucifixion Friday. Jesus foretold his denial, even the rooster that crowed after the third time.

But Peter was also powerfully redeemed and restored by Jesus. Jesus said He would build His Church on Peter’s faith. To this day, the Catholic Church regards Simon Peter, the fisherman from Bethsaida, as the first Pope. It is widely held that Simon Peter served the people in the Church of Rome for many years before being put to death by the Roman Emperor Nero.

It’s true that Simon Peter did not always say the right thing, or do the right thing. Neither do we. But what Simon Peter did do, we also need to do: take up the cross of Jesus Christ, the cross of servanthood every day. When we do that we find God. When we do that we find Jesus. When we do that we find life. Happy Palm Sunday!

Your Pastor and Friend, Mark

Easter and Holy Week Schedule

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:29:00 GMT

Use a Refrigerator Magnet to Hold Your Easter/Holy Week Schedule!

Don’t you wish you were the first person to think of refrigerator magnets? Today, in almost every store you go into, you can buy a souvenir refrigerator magnet. I’ve seen some refrigerators that have so many magnets on them with notes, pictures, and reminders underneath that it’s actually hard to see where the handle is! We have had our favorites that were bought as reminders of trips: the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, Stonehenge, Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon. I always liked the “What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas” one. Lynn must have thrown that one away.

Below is a Schedule of Holy Week activities that surely is a worthy item to place under your favorite refrigerator magnet. Just cut it out of this bulletin and pop it under that magnet. Then, I hope you and your family will take advantage of all the special opportunities that are coming up in the life of your church. I’m looking forward to celebrating with you the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Your Pastor and Friend, Mark

Easter/Holy Week Church Family Schedule

Saturday, March 24 - SPRING FLING!

2:00-4:00 PM - Easter Egg Hunt, Food, Games, Music from the West Hall High School Jazz Band, and More! Fun for the Entire Church Family!

Sunday, April 1 - PALM SUNDAY

11:00 - AM One Worship Service Only (Have a Safe Spring Break!) NO Children or Youth evening services

Wednesday, April 4 - NO Activities due to Spring Break

Thursday, April 5 - DRAMA: “Lord, Is It I?”

7:00PM Reception Afterwards in the Fellowship Hall

Friday, April 6 - MOVIE: The Passion of the Christ

7:00PM Fellowship Hall, Everyone Invited (Rated R). Drinks and Popcorn Provided.

Sunday, April 8 - EASTER SUNDAY

7:00AM Easter Sunrise Service in Outside Arbor

7:45AM Breakfast in Fellowship Hall

10:30AM One Worship Service Only featuring an Easter Message and Special Music Selections by Our Chancel Choir

NO Children’s Church

NO Children or Youth evening services

Power in a Name

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 16:39:00 GMT

There is Power in a Name

Before our son, Mark, Jr., was born, Lynn and I spent a lot of time talking about what name to give him. Like many parents-to-be, we bought books of names for children. We made lists. Crossed out names. Added new ones. If Mark had been a girl, we had decided he (she) would be Natalie Hope. If he were a boy, he would be Luke Stephen.

After Lynn delivered our son, I’ll never forget sitting in the hospital room in Gwinnett Medical Center with Lynn and our new baby boy. He was lying on his mother’s chest as she lay in the bed. Then, a nurse came in with a clipboard and some paperwork. She said, “Okay then, what’s the little guy’s name going to be?” I deferred to Lynn to let her say, “His name is Luke Stephen.” I could already hear her saying the words. But, Lynn paused. She looked at her son. She looked at me. Tears welled in her eyes. I could see her heart soften. Finally, she looked at the nurse and said, “He’s going to be a junior. His name is Mark Stephen.”

Oh mercy. All that time working on a name, just the right name for our son and in the moment of truth, the time of decision, it was Mark Stephen. Doesn’t it seem rather miraculous how our children just grow into their names? Today, it’s hard to imagine calling Mark, Luke. It’s even harder to imagine calling Mark, Natalie.

There is power in a name. Today, we’re thinking about the name Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples. What Iscariot signifies is unclear. Usually it would signify where a person was from. However, no territory named “Iscaria” has ever existed. I read that someone typed in the words Judas Iscariot in a word document once and the spell check came up. It suggested they replace Judas Iscariot with Judas Escargot, which, of course, would be Judas the Snail. No, cannot be it.

Isn’t it interesting that the stigma of the name Judas lingers on? How many children are there who are named Judas? Not many, to be sure. Lady Gaga sings about Judas. She sings, “I’m in love with Judas.” Does she have that big of a heart for forgiveness or is she just trying to sell records. I don’t know. I’d like to think maybe it’s both.

One thing is for sure. When we think of the name Judas, we think of the disciple who was close to Jesus who betrayed him with a kiss. If he hated Jesus and just wanted Jesus to be killed, done away with for good, then it was the most terrible act, the most terrible kiss, in history. This morning, we’re going to think about The Kiss of Judas and learn some important spiritual lessons from this fallen, broken man who was a disciple of Jesus: Judas Iscariot.

Your Pastor and Friend, Mark

Little People

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 16:40:00 GMT

One Oscar Winner and Two Disciples

I didn’t watch all of the Oscars last Sunday night. Lindsey and Greg were home visiting and we cooked out. We ate and visited and just enjoyed being together. But when we did turn the TV on, I surfed over to the Oscars and it was just in time for the awards for Best Picture and Best Actors.

I was amazed at the winner for Best Picture and Best Actor, not because they didn’t deserve it. I’m sure it must have been a good movie and a fine acting job. No, what floored me was I had never heard of the movie or the actor! I realize that says something about how little I’m following movies these days. But still. Meryl Streep winning Best Actress in a leading role for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in the movie The Iron Lady I can understand. We all know who Meryl Streep is. We all know her talent. Counting last night, she has 17 Oscar nominations and now three victories.

But Jean Dujardin? I could see he was handsome. And that he apparently likes dogs. A lot. I just never heard of him before. I had never heard of the movie in which he starred and which also won the Oscar for Best Picture: The Artist. So in good and trusty information hunting fashion, I turned to the internet to see who this Jean Dujardin is. I saw that on the movie site, visitors to that site (there were 35, 000 visitors to date) gave the movie an 8.4 out of a possible 10.0. I found out that Jean Dujardin was born on June 19, 1972 in Rueil-Malmaison, Hauts-de-Seine, France. He hasn’t been in a lot of movies. The Artist is by far his highest achievement in acting to date.

It’s interesting that a relative unknown, from a country different from our own, could make such a splash on Oscar night, indeed, step into the consciousness, however briefly, of our country.

This brings me to the two disciples we’re going to learn from this morning: Thaddaeus and James, son of Alphaeus. These two disciples were not so visible. They were relative unknowns, “little people.” Thaddaeus only emerges once out of the background in the gospels and there is not one word spoken of James, the son of Alphaeaus. Most of the time, the little people never get recognized, but sometimes the little people make more of an impact in life than the best-known people. This surely is the case with James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus. Of the lessons we’ll learn from them this morning, let’s remember this: 1,000 years from now no one will remember or speak the name Jean Dujardin. But people will still be telling the story of Thaddaeus and James, son of Alpaheus. There is no underestimating the power of a life lived to the glory and honor of Jesus Christ! Amen?

Your Pastor and Friend, Mark

Confirmation

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:35:00 GMT

Praying for Our Confirmands in March and April

Confirmation is a powerful and unforgettable experience. I went through Confirmation way, way back in the '60s. I remember attending the classes which my father, as pastor, led. I still remember Confirmation Sunday. The class had six or seven kids in it and we all wore white robes and sat on the front pew. I remember the feeling of wonder at being the center of attention: Jesus' and the church's.

To children and youth today, that was a very long time ago, yet I still clearly remember it. It remains in my consciousness and continues to be an important part of who I am as a person and a Christian.

Confirmation packs that kind of power! Let's all be praying for our Confirmands in March and April that the Lord will bless and anoint their learnings and deepen their commitment as dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ. Our mission statement as a church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Confirmation is one important way we do that.

Our Confirmation process begins with a Parent-Student Orientation meeting on Sunday, March 4 at 10AM in the sanctuary. Then, Confirmation Classes will be held in the Youth House from 3:00-4:30PM on Sunday, March 11 through Sunday, April 22 with no class on Easter Sunday, April 8. Then, on Sunday, May 6, we will have Confirmation Sunday. During the 11AM Worship Service, the church will embrace our Confirmands, recognize and celebrate their commitments to the Lord and the Church, and receive them into the life of the Redwine United Methodist Church family.

Confirmation is offered to 5th and 6th graders, but I want any youth from 6th-12th grades who have never attended a Confirmation Class to come.

I'd like to present to you our 2012 Confirmands. These are the young people we'll be praying for by name. (Again, any older youth who haven't attended Confirmation, please let Alex and me know. We hope you'll come!)

Our 2012 Confirmation Class

5th Graders

Kenna Beaman

Kayleigh Hunt

Emory Glover

Hunter Johnson

Phenix Frier

Jayden Robertson

Tucker Rothschild

6th Graders

Georgia Warnock

Allie Grace

Jamie Robertson

Matthew McManus

One exciting thing to me is we have a new Confirmation curriculum this year in the United Methodist Church. It's called “CREDO.” The idea is that through the literature, our youth will study Christian theology, United Methodist history, tradition, worship, the local church, and personal faith formation and commitment, to name just a few. Then, they will each develop their own personal faith statement: a living faith CREDO! Join me in loving and praying for our Confirmands every day in March and April!

Mark

Special Events

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:59:00 GMT

“Thank You” to Our Resident Retired Reverends!

While Lynn and I are taking a break away this weekend, I want to thank our two retired United Methodist clergy for stepping in for me and leading our worship this morning. One thing about Nancy Morgan and Gladys Williford is that though they may be retired from episcopal appointments, they surely have not retired from serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in His Church! Gladys and Nancy, we all thank you for your tireless service, your leadership, and your shining Christian example among us. Thank you and God bless you for sharing your gifts with us!

Calling All Ladies! Beth Moore Bible Study Starts Tonight!

Beginning tonight, an eleven week ladies’ Beth Moore Bible Study will be offered from 5:00-6:30PM in the back room of the fellowship hall. The title is “Seeking the Heart of God Through a Study of David.” Lisa Frier has volunteered to be the Study facilitator. Ladies, don’t miss this opportunity to sit at the feet of Beth Moore (50 minutes of each Session will be watching Beth teach on video tape) and to listen, share, and grow through warm and engaging group discussion. If you don’t have a Member Book yet, go online today at www.lifeway.com and order one for $14.99, and come out tonight!

The Sunday night time slot is especially beneficial for mothers who are already bringing their children and/or youth to the church for their Sunday night programming. Then, at 6:30PM, any mothers who have children or youth at the church can join them in the fellowship hall for a light supper. (Note the change in start time for Sunday night supper from 6PM to 6:30PM.) Of course, any and all ladies of the church are invited to attend this inspiring and uplifting Study

Crown Biblical Financial Study Orientation Tuesday Night at 6:45PM

Led by Lamon Warnock and Joyce Anne Skinner, this Course starts with orientation this Tuesday, then the course will run from March 6-May 8. The cost is $45 for single persons and $55 for couples. Come and learn how to lower your debt, increase your savings, increase your planned giving, strengthen your marriage, and devote more time to prayer and bible study. Contact Lamon or Joyce Anne TODAY to register or with any questions you might have.

Wow, we have a lot of new mission, ministry, and discipleship opportunities springing up in our church! God’s great Holy Spirit is moving and leading us onward and upward. I hope you’ll take full advantage of the spiritual updraft that’s in your church today!

Your Pastor and Friend, Mark

Scout Sunday; One Harvest Ministries

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 16:42:00 GMT

Welcome Scouts, Phil Gilstrap of One Harvest Ministries

Scout Sunday is always a special day in the life of our church. It’s a day we set aside to welcome and recognize our scouting ministries and hear from them about the activities they have enjoyed throughout the year. Many thanks to Walter Simmons, Cub Master, Doug Straughan, Scout Master, and all the leaders, scouts, and families of Troup and Pack 203 who are with us this morning in worship. Troup and Pack 203 are valued arms of ministry here at Redwine UMC and we’re glad you’re here!

We also welcome Phil Gilstrap today. Phil is a representative of One Harvest and will be presenting to us One Harvest’s food packages and ministry to us. Through the help of our Missions Chair, Debbie Flanagan, Redwine UMC is already a Partner Site with One Harvest Ministry. By raising the visibility within our church about One Harvest, I hope many of our families will see its great value and take advantage of it. Thank you, Debbie, for leading us in this ministry!

One Harvest can not only benefit the members of our church but it can be a great ministry tool to reach out into our community. Wouldn’t it be great if many families who live right around us come onto our property to take advantage of the great benefits One Harvest has to offer?

Here are some FAQs to go along with Phil’s presentation this morning:

How does the food come packaged?
It’s pre-packaged in a sealed ONEHARVEST Box.
What choices do I have?
Family Box, Gourmet Express Meal Box, or special combination boxes of chicken, beef, seafood, and pork, fresh and frozen produce. *How do I order? Through a local non-profit partner or online.
Can I order more than one box at a time?
Yes!
Where can I pick up my box?
At a local non-profit partner organization.
When are orders distributed?
Once a month, Saturday mornings.

What a great Sunday we have in store today! Welcome Scouts and welcome Phil Gilstrap! May the Holy Spirit bless us all in a special way as we worship here today!

Your Pastor and Friend, Mark

Redwine Ministries

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 16:43:00 GMT

Find a Ministry That’s Just Right for You!

As we’ve turned the corner of a New Year, we have imagined and initiated a wave of new ministries in 2012. I hope you will look at each one and pray about which one (or more) the Holy Spirit is drawing you toward and jump into that ministry and find satisfaction and fulfillment in it.

Of course, I also celebrate all the small groups that are ongoing in the life of the church and the ministry that takes place in every age level group from children to youth to adults to older adults. I praise the Lord for you, the dedicated people of the Redwine Church family, who make ministry for every age and gender a bold and adventurous reality in this place. It excites me today to think of the ministries that are still out there, yet to come, that we haven’t even dreamed of yet! I know that as we grow in Spirit and Unity, the Lord will guide us and lead us into ever changing and newer ministries that will benefit His people in this community and the far reaches of the world.

Here are some of the new ministries that you will be hearing a lot about in the next few weeks:

Soup Kitchen and Thrift Store: 1st Saturdays, 2-4PM
Hot meals served to any in our community who need one.
Wake Up Wednesdays: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00AM
Hot coffee and a warm smile served on a drive-through basis under our portico for parents, students, teachers, people going to work, anyone!
Beth Moore Bible Study: Starting Sunday, Feb. 19, 5:00-6:30PM
An 11 week Ladies Bible Study titled, “A Heart Like His: Seeking the Heart of God Through a Study of David”. Ladies, order your book today at www.lifeway.com, $14.99, and come on February 19!
Crown Biblical Financial Study: March 6-May 8
Take charge of your spiritual and financial life! Contact Lamon Warnock or Joyce Anne Skinner if interested.
One Harvest Ministry
Our church is already a participating member! One Harvest teaches the principles of saving money and stewardship by providing high quality food choices. Phil Gilstrap from One Harvest is joining us next Sunday in church!
Family Promise of Hall County
Hosting a homeless family in our church facility in the evening and nighttime for a week 3-4 times a year. The family is transported to a day care facility after breakfast and returns to the church at suppertime. What a great opportunity to love and be a blessing to these special people!

And these are just the ministries we know of! Keep your heart, mind, and spirit open to the Wind of new ministries. Please let me know of your ministry inspirations and revelations from the lord! It’s a new year. It’s an exciting year. It’s a year in which we all can find meaning and purpose and fulfillment by serving others.

Your Pastor and Friend, Mark