Pastor's Blog

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

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!)

“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

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

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

5th Sunday Friendship Sundays in 2012!

One of the great things we do as the church of Jesus Christ is actually a very apostolic and scriptural practice: we worship, pray, and eat together! I’m so glad that on the 5th Sundays of this year we’re going to celebrate “Friendship Sundays!” If you did not know about today’s celebration, and the covered dish lunch that immediately follows worship, I sure hope you will stay and eat with us anyway. Whether you’re visiting with us today for the first time or you just “missed the news about today,” please stay and have lunch in the fellowship hall. You are expected and welcomed. There’s always plenty!

Our theme on Friendship Sundays is Friendship! Today we begin a message series titled, “Meet the Master’s Men,” and today’s disciple is James. In our exploring of James’ life, I hope we all find qualities within him that will inspire us to be better friends of Jesus and better friends with the people in our lives.

Friends are Good for Your Health!

Celebrating Friendship today is a very good, even healthy, thing! According to one Yale University study, having fewer friends leads to higher stress and a shorter life. In a study of 2,800 men and women over the age of 65, those with more friends had a lower risk of health problems, and they recovered faster when they did develop them. Another study of 10,000 seniors showed that having friends reduced the risk of death by about 50 percent over a five-year period. The study concludes: “Friends can help you reduce stress, improve the quality of your life, live longer, get a better job, expand your business, improve your marriage and derive more joy from your life.”

There you have it. The jury is back! It’s GOOD to have a friend and to be a friend! It’s also true that a church that has a warm, prevailing spirit of authentic friendship is a church that people want to be a part of. I’m so glad we’re being intentional in 2012 about celebrating Friendship! Everybody, we all, need friends!

Here are some true and touching insights about friendship:

Cicero: Our nature has no love for solitude, and always leans, as it were, on some support; and the sweetest support is found in the most intimate friendship.

Euripides: One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives.

Mark Twain: Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with.

Unknown: A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.

Anonymous: You may be one person to the world but you may be the world to one person.

God bless our time together today as friends!

Your Pastor and Friend, Mark

An Olive Branch in the Giving Department!

As we all know, the effects of the economic downturn four years or so ago have reached into every sector of our society. Churches, like businesses, government, and homes, have felt the financial crunch and pinch of tighter credit, loss of jobs, and tragically for many, loss of homes. Redwine UMC has been no exception, of course. But today there are some key indicators that show that Redwine UMC is stabilizing financially and beginning its movement back upward! I know this is something everyone in the church family is interested in and wants to see! Let me share two financial indicators with you.

Giving to General Budget and Apportionments

At the close of last year (2011) our Giving to General Budget (which supports all the mission and ministry we do as a local United Methodist Church) was $273,212 toward an overall annual Budget for 2011 of $289,351. Obviously, giving was below what we had projected and budgeted for mission and ministry in 2011. My word of challenge to you, the church, is to remember your giving to the Lord here at Redwine United Methodist Church. As we all faithfully fulfill our giving commitment to the Lord through the church, we a) live true to God’s call and command of us to give a tithe to Him, and b) we support the mission and ministry that takes place at and through Redwine UMC. So, a word to us all: let us be faithful, diligent, committed to fulfilling our giving mandate that God gives to every single person who would be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

With that said, let me also point to an exciting word of encouragement. In the flood story in Genesis, after weeks of waiting for the waters to recede, Noah and his family must have hit the roof in excitement when that dove came to a fluttering stop on the window sill holding an olive branch in its beak! I felt the same way when I read the giving figures for 2011 compared to 2010. Let me show you a little olive branch!

In 2010, our Giving to General Budget was $268,766. In 2011, our Giving was $273,480. I know that’s not much of an increase, but the fact is, it IS an increase! Also, since 2009, for the first time, probably in the life of the church, Redwine has not been able to pay 100% of its denominational apportionments. (Apportionments are an amount of money allocated to every United Methodist Church to give to fund conference, continental, and global mission and ministry. Apportionments make us a global family, connected in shared mission and ministry!)

In 2009, Redwine UMC paid only 33% of its apportionments. In 2010, we paid 44%. At last year’s end, we paid 60%! Our goal for 2012 is 100%. I hope you celebrate this olive branch with me!

I want to thank you, the church of Jesus Christ, for being tough in tough times and for being resilient and optimistic today. An olive branch is in our window sill! The future of our Kingdom Building is out there before us and it’s promising! God bless us all in our new ventures of ministry in 2012 as well as our tried and true ongoing ministries in this place!

Your Pastor and Friend, Mark

Quarterly Friendship Sundays in 2012!

Just the other day in the office I said to Celeste, “We haven’t been doing many covered dish lunches. Why not? Have I been dropping the ball on this?” It was with a rather playful spirit, I admit, but a serious question nonetheless! After talking it over with some staff members, we feel the church family needs to celebrate fellowship and food and friendship on a more “Methodical” basis! Hey, we HAVE to be true to who we are, right?

So, in the months in 2012 that have five Sundays (there’s one every quarter) we will have what we’re calling, “Friendship Sunday.” On Friendship Sunday we will have our regular Sunday School hour, but just one Worship Service at 11AM so our 9AM Worshippers will not have to make an additional trip back to the church for lunch!

I sure hope you enjoy this plan for sharing time together, good food together, and of course, lots of conversation and laughter, too. So, get out those recipe and cook books! It’s covered dish time at Redwine!

The first 5th Sunday is THIS month: two weeks from today, January 29. The church will provide the drinks. The church family brings meats, vegetables, breads, desserts, etc. for sharing! Come Sunday, January 29th ready to share Friendship and Food and Faith right after the 11AM Worship Hour! Personally, I can’t wait. Would anyone notice if I’m first in line?

Christmas Eve’s Generous Offering to Action Ministries

If you came to church on Christmas Eve, you know the sanctuary was packed and that we had a blessed and joyous time of worship celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You also know that our evening offering was designated for Action Ministries. You gave $450 on Christmas Eve! I cannot express how touched my heart is that the church family and friends gave so generously for Action Ministries.

You may not know that Action Ministries began almost fifty years ago partnering largely with the Methodist Church to serve the hunger, housing, and education needs of people in North Georgia. Today, there are AM offices located in Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Gainesville, and Rome. Thousands of volunteers from congregations, businesses and community organizations help support the programs that make it possible for those in need to rebuild their lives and thrive.

I praise the Lord for your generosity. I just have a feeling 2012 is truly going to be a great Year to Remember in the life of Redwine United Methodist Church. God bless us as we follow the steps and serving spirit of Jesus.

Your Pastor and Friend, Mark

Today We Install and Pray for Our Church Officers and Ministry Teams for 2012

What a privilege it is to serve the Lord through his Church! Today, we’re going to take time in Worship to recognize those persons who have made a commitment to serve the Lord in ministry at Redwine UMC in 2012. Each person has stepped forward to be a part of the moving force of mission and ministry at Redwine this year. Today we recognize them. Let us all thank them, pray for them, and pledge to offer ourselves in support of their ministry leadership, their inspirations, their aspirations, and all of their efforts to faithfully go where the Holy Spirit leads them this year.

We thank and appreciate every person on every ministry team. Here is a list of ministry leaders and officers for 2012:

Administrative Council Chair …….. Steve Barber

Council Secretary ……………….. Celeste Sayre

Lay Leader ……………………….. Bruce Townsend

SPRC Chair ………………………. Joyce Anne Skinnner

Finance Chair ……………………. Will Patrick

UMW Chair …………………….. Barbara Dysart

UMM Chair ………………………. Will Patrick

Education Chair ………………….. Danny Reed

Worship Team Chair …………….. Erin Woodsmall

Youth Representative ……………. Tori Glover

Missions Chair …………………… Debbie Flanagan

Scouting Representative …………. Anita Glover

Congregational Care Co-Chairs …. Connie Douglas, Amber Ericson

Of course, we also want to recognize and thank our dedicated, creative, and hard-working staff. We want to ask the Lord’s blessing and anointing on them as they lead us in their respective ministries. Here are our staff members we lift up today in prayer:

Pastor ……………………………… Mark Outlaw

Youth Minister ……………………. Alex Gailey

Children’s Minister (and PMO Dir.)... Denise Frier

Music Minister …………………….. Erin Woodsmall

Financial Secretary ………………… Rena’ Townsend

Nursery Director…………………….. Janine Cline

Worship Musicians………………….. Janet and Russ Rainwater,

Chuck Dubose

Custodian …………………………… Tony Spain

We have a lot to be thankful for at Redwine UMC! As we all work together for the Lord in 2012, I know God has big plans of ministry, outreach, and Kingdom Building in store for us! So, blow Holy Spirit, blow on our ministry leaders, our ministry teams, and our staff and we WILL live and love and serve with fresh vision and zeal and success in 2012!

Your Pastor and Friend, Mark

Christmas Delivers Joy to the World and to You and Me

In Dr. Seuss’ Christmas story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the small-hearted Grinch steals food and toys from all the Who's in Whoville in order to steal their Christmas joy. But on Christmas morning, “the tall and the small sang without any presents at all!”

Oh, we know that Christmas surely is a whole lot more than ribbons and bows and packages and lighted trees. Christmas is about the God of the Universe coming in person to earth as a baby, born in humble and poor circumstances, laid in a manger in Bethlehem. We know that shepherds came to honor and adore Him. Wise Men came from afar bearing gifts to worship and adore Him. We don’t know how many others came to that stable in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago because they, too, got some sign, some revelation, from God that the Messiah, the Savior of the world, was born to them that night. And surely we know that for all who receive Him today as King, and Lord, and Savior, there is mercy, forgiveness, new life, peace, comfort, hope, and great joy in the heart forevermore!

Our message this morning is about Joy and comes from Psalm 126. The wondrous message is that for all who call on Him and trust in Him, God will come and restore, heal and forgive, and fill the heart with nothing less than “songs of joy!”
In his book, Naked Spirituality, Brian D. McLaren, leads us where we need to get to in life as Christians in terms of experiencing joy:

“But the scandalous truth is …that when we connect with God, it is as if we are plugging our souls into a pure current of high-voltage joy …that God is a joyful being and to enter or awaken to God's presence is to enjoy a bracing jolt of invigorating delight followed by increasing levels of unending pleasure…when we tap into the joy of the Lord, when we step into the pure joy that burns like a billion galaxies in the heart of God, we'll soon find ourselves shouting, dancing, singing, leaping, clapping, swaying, laughing and otherwise jubilating and celebrating.”

Brian McLaren is tapped into something exhilarating and powerful, wouldn’t you say? It’s the joy of the Lord! The bible overflows with it and encourages us to overflow with it, too. Joy drips from the nativity and Christmas story. Open yourself today to the Joy of the Lord. Like McLaren says, who knows, maybe you’ll find yourself dancing, singing, laughing, and jubilating! Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King!

Your Pastor and Friend, Mark