Be Thou My Vision

“I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him…” (Ephesians 1:17)

“Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,

Naught be all else to me, save that thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
Thou and thou only, first in my heart,
Great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.

Great God of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.”

[--Ancient Irish lyrics translated by Mary E. Byrne, 1905, cited from The United Methodist Hymnal #451]

May this prayer be yours as you seek to discover and follow the wisdom, will, ways, and timing of God in your life! Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

Top Ten Facts on Fathering

“Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart.” (Colossians 3:21)

If you’re reading this on June 17, 2012, it is Father’s Day in America. Here’s just a few quick facts about fathers:

1. There are 67.8 million fathers in America.


2. There are 74.7 million children under the age of 18


3. 62.2% of children live with their biological mother and father


4. 24.8 million children (33%) live apart from their biological father


5. 20.3 million children (27%) live in a home with no father


6. 2.7 million children live with their father only


7. The presence and involvement of a father is positively associated with child well-being, educational attainment, behavioral development, self-esteem and avoidance of high-risk behaviors.


8. Children growing up without a father present are more likely to suffer physical, emotional or educational neglect, engage in juvenile delinquency including violent crime, abuse drugs and alcohol, be a teenage mom, and live in poverty.


9. Fathers are the primary determinant on a child’s ongoing faith practice.


10. 70% of Americans agree that the physical absence of fathers from the home is the most significant family or social problem facing America.

[--SOURCES: (#1-6) United States Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2010 Annual Social and Economic Supplement; (#7-8) Father Facts, 5th Edition, National Fatherhood Initiative, 2007; (#9) Fathers: Key to their Children’s Faith, S. Michael Craven, June 13, 2006; (#10) National Center for Fathering, National Fathering Survey, 2009]

As you can see, it’s more important now than ever that we seek to be good, Godly fathers to our children and those who are like children to us, and to help foster good fathering practices in others. Since God is our Father, we can always look to Him to help us be what we need to be for others. Remember that He loves you and I do, too!

For more information on Godly fathering, visit the National Center for Fathering website

Annual Conference is Here!

“Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

This week as you read this article, over 2800 delegates representing the 1000 churches and 360,000+ United Methodists in North Georgia will have gathered at the Classic Center in Athens, Georgia for the “North Georgia Annual Conference” with the theme “Seeing the World through the Waters of Baptism.” Jim Perry, Cindy Campbell, Peter Kaimathiri and I are attending as our clergy representatives from East Cobb U.M.C., and Lee Bierce, Lisa Haman, and Dean Kelley are serving as our laity delegates.  In addition, Frieda Brown, Betty Hrisak, and Jackie Short will be serving as delegates on behalf of our Atlanta-Marietta District, and Rev. Gary Whatley will be attending as a clergy delegate as he receives his new church appointment at the close of Conference.

Each year's Annual Conference makes important decisions that affect every United Methodist church in our geographic area: approval and ordination of new clergy and retirement of older ones; appointments of pastors to local churches are finalized (we celebrate that our Bishop - Michael Watson - has reassigned myself, Jim Perry, Cindy Campbell, and Peter Kaimathiri to East Cobb UMC as your pastors for this next year); adoption of the conference budget; support for and reports from conference missions and ministries; exciting worship and bible study opportunities to enrich our spiritual lives; present our “Bishop’s Offering” (to support the work of “World Methodist Evangelism” to spread the good news of Jesus throughout the world); and more!

Upon our return, we’ll be available to report on important decisions that were made, and how these might affect us as a congregation. In the meantime, you can find more information about Annual Conference (as well as “real time” updates) on our North Georgia Conference website (click on the 2012 Annual Conference box at bottom left). Also, thanks for your prayers, both for ourselves as your representatives, and for the Conference itself. Always remember, God loves you and I do too!

The Glory Is In the Struggle

“Do not grow weary in doing what it right, for we will reap at the harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

When we think about trials, troubles, challenges, and struggles today, we usually think of them only in negative terms -- as things to be avoided or “fixed” as soon as possible.  However, I once ran across the following devotional that spoke of our need to learn the value of such struggles of and in life…

“A friend was complaining that even though she and her husband constantly work at their relationship and seek help from a counselor, they are still plagued with problems.  ‘It feels like we’ll be working at this forever,’ she sighed.  I suggested that maybe we glorify God as much in the struggle as in the solution.  ‘Your children are learning that you don’t give up on a relationship,’ I said.  ‘You keep working at it.’

A similar thought occurred to me when I was hit by yet another battle with depression.  Though I take medication and receive counseling, my old enemy still occasionally returns.  I realized that continuing to fight is evidence of faith and trust.  The glory is in the struggle.  By trusting God through the struggle instead of despairing that I am not yet ‘cured,’ I can view each episode as an opportunity to glorify God.

We love neat resolutions and happy endings.  But it is often in clinging to God when we don’t see answers that we witness most convincingly.  A watching world will be inspired by a faith that won’t quit!”

            [BMarianne Jones in Upper Room, devotional guide, October 25, 2000]

Whatever relationship or situation you apply the above to, it=s great biblical and practical advice!  I hope to see you at church this Sunday as we provide you with tools to successfully struggle through life!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

"World Methodist Evangelism" Offering

“[Jesus] said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation’” (Mark 16:15)

Many of you are aware that each year our Bishop of North Georgia United Methodism (Michael Watson) designates an annual “Bishop’s Mission Offering” to be collected by North Georgia United Methodist churches in the weeks leading up to Annual Conference, and then shared by each church’s delegates at a worship service during Conference.

This year, Bishop Watson has named “World Methodist Evangelism” as the 2012 Annual Conference Bishop’s Mission Offering. Headquartered in our own backyard (in Atlanta), for the last forty years World Methodist Evangelism has labored to see the Methodist Christian movement alive, vibrant, growing and yearning to spread the good news of Christ Jesus throughout the whole world through word, deed, and sign that the world may know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This is a holy calling and it’s still our calling today!

Together with our sisters and brothers in the Methodist tradition all around the world, this offering will help us to multiply the witnesses of Christ Jesus through connecting congregations, connecting with evangelists, international Christian youth conferences on evangelism, faith-sharing initiatives and resources, training leaders through regional evangelism seminars in every part of the world. To find out more information about World Methodist Evangelism, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE HERE.

Some of you may already know that the stained-glass window to the left of the cross on the front wall of our own Sanctuary shows the logo for World Methodist Evangelism, and was given many years ago in support of this same cause! So, it’s certainly appropriate that I invite you to join me in participating in this special opportunity with an over-and-above-your-regular offering financial gift. To contribute, please make your check payable to East Cobb UMC and designate either it or cash to our “Bishop’s Mission Offering.”

We’ll be collecting funds through June 3rd, and will present our church’s combined check during the offering time at the Annual Conference afternoon worship service on Wednesday, June 13th. Please join me as we seek to proclaim the good news of Jesus throughout the whole world through this special offering.

Remember that God loves you and I do, too!



A Graduate's Prayer

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Here is a Graduation Prayer that I invite all of our 2017 graduates to pray…

“Dear Lord,

As I look toward the future

Bright hope conducts this prayer,

For I know the plans You have for me

Were wrought with divine care.

Holy Spirit, lead me.

Let me run at Your command,

Yet be still and know that You are God

When trouble is close at hand.

Your Word will be a lamp for me,

A guide to light my way,

A solid place to set my feet,

A compass when I stray.

May I live my life to praise You,

Not for fortune, nor for fame,

May everything I say and do

Bring glory to Your name.

May my eyes stay fixed upon You

As I seek the way that's pure,

Tasting Your love and goodness

Sleeping and rising secure.

Planted by Your living streams

I'll delight in all Your ways,

Hidden by Your sheltering wings
With new mercies for each day.

Even in a dangerous land

When storms threaten to destroy,
At the cross I'll stand upon the Rock
My Strength, my Hope, my Joy.

Dear Lord, show me Your favor,

At all times keep me blessed,
May Your face ever shine upon me,
With peace and perfect rest. Amen.”

                       [--Mary Fairchild]

I ask that the rest of you join me in celebrating the accomplishments of all those graduating this year, whether from High School, College, Graduate school, or somewhere else. Congratulations, graduates!  Remember, God loves you and so do I!

Godly Mothers of the Past

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.” (2 Timothy 1:5)

Sunday, May 13, 2012 is Mother’s Day -- the day that we celebrate and remember that special love God meant for us to be given by and for our mothers. But it's a day to remember not only the great influence our mothers either have or have had on our own faith, but also how the faith of other mothers throughout the centuries has been passed on so that we might experience and have faith today.

Consider some examples of Godly mothers throughout history:

-Hannah's commitment to the Lord in raising Samuel to become a great prophet for God;

-Sarah and Rebekah's prayers answered in the births of Isaac and Jacob, great leaders of Israel;

-The Godly example of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the raising of her son to be the Savior of the world;

-Timothy's mother and grandmother Lois, both of who’s faith helped him be the great evangelist that he was;

-Monica, whose Godly influence and prayers lead Augustine to become a great leader of the early church;

-Susanna Wesley, whose Godly example helped mold John and Charles into the founders of world Methodism.

Of course, there's many more, but these give us just a glimpse of the importance of our mothers in the building and development of our spiritual lives. Today, be sure to take time to thank the Lord for your mother (or even someone who’s been like a mother to you) – they are a very special person! Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Father, Forgive

“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them...’” (Luke 23:34)

AThe hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class,

                       Father, forgive.

The covetous desires of men and nations to possess what is not theirs own,

Father, forgive.

The greed which exploits the labours of men, and lays waste the earth,

Father, forgive.

Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others,

Father, forgive.

Our indifference to the plight of the homeless and the refugee,

Father, forgive.

The lust which uses for ignoble ends the bodies of men and women,

Father, forgive.

The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God,

                        Father, forgive.@

  [BCoventry Cathedral Prayer; Coventry, England, 1964]

Need I say more?  Remember, God loves you and so do I!

Youth Sunday: Altered Perspectives

“Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

It’s sometimes been said that “youth are the future of the Church.” But the more accurate statement is that “youth are the Church of today” (or at least part of it)! They have a passion and a freshness to their faith that most of us need to hear and be reminded of. If you were with us today for Youth Sunday worship, you experienced a powerful call to worship read by one of our youth that reminds us of the paradoxical power of Christian youth worship.

It’s words start like the stereotype of youth that some church people have today…

“The end of our church is nearing,
And
worship is dead and boring
No longer can it be said that
We need to pray
My church and I
We don’t have any spiritual connection
It’s not true that
I need God’s presence in my life
I know what I need and when I need it
And
My possessions
Are more important than
My relationships
I have to tell you
My attention span is too short for the Bible
And it’s just not true that
I enjoy reading the Word
I just don’t get it
And you should never think
God cares about each of us
What I really hope you get is
You’ve got to be open to these values
What’s important to me is
What Lady Gaga is wearing
And I don’t really care all that much
What God could do with my life
I think it’s completely unbelievable
That God is actually listening to us
What’s important for you is
You’ll find peace on your Blackberry
On Facebook
Through email
Your ministry is
Dying
Don’t think it is
Going to survive.
It is…”

…the end of the church as we know it. But if you were at youth worship, you know that the reader then said… “UNLESS we open ourselves up to God to change us, and when we do that, we allow Him to turn it all around…” (and the reader began reading the same words backwards, with the same wording meaning something drastically different)…

“It is…going to survive. Don’t think it is dying. Your ministry is through email, on Facebook, on your Blackberry. You’ll find peace. What’s important for you is that God is actually listening to us. I think it’s completely unbelievable what God could do with my life, and I don’t really care all that much what Lady Gaga is wearing. What’s important to me is: you’ve got to be open to these values. What I hope you get is: God cares about each of us, and you should never think I just don’t get it. I enjoy reading the Word, and it’s just not true that my attention span is too short for the Bible. I have to tell you: my relationships are more important than my possessions, and I know what I need and when I need it. I need God’s presence in my life. It’s not true that we don’t have any spiritual connection, my church and I. We need to pray. No longer can it be said that worship is dead and boring and that the end of our church is nearing.”

[--From Trenholm Road UMC for their Youth Sunday 2010, adapted from a video by DK Publishing. Click HERE to see the original YouTube video version called “Youth Sunday Call to Worship Video”]

Wow! What a difference God’s altered perspective can make! I hope and pray you’ll remember what a difference He can make in your life, as well! Always remember, God loves you and I do too!

2012 General Conference of the United Methodist Church

“Surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans... to give you a future with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Under the theme “Make Disciples of Jesus Christ to Transform the World,” our denomination’s top policy-making body (called “General Conference”) will be meeting from April 24-May 4th in Tampa, FL to make important decisions for our church’s future. According to church law, no person or organization except General Conference (including our own church Bishops, courts, or individual Annual Conferences) has the authority to speak officially for our denomination. Consequently, this body meets once every four years in a different location around the country, and is comprised of 1000 delegates (500 clergy and 500 laity), apportioned by the total membership of each Annual Conference from here in America, as well as our Conferences in other countries. This year our North Georgia Conference is sending 26 delegates (one of the larger delegations).

General Conference has several purposes: to revise or reaffirm policies and guidelines regarding local church structure, ministry, and the pastoral leadership by examining and/or revising our Book of Discipline (our church’s lawbook), our “Social Principles,” and adopt various resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues; to approve plans and budgets for church wide ministry initiatives for the next four years; to elect members of our church’s “Judicial Council” (our church’s “Supreme Court”); and (if necessary) to propose amendments to our church’s Constitution (which must be then ratified later by each of our denomination’s 64 Annual Conferences). This year there is a significant proposal being discussed that, if approved, may alter our denomination’s structure for ministry for the future.

The legislation for General Conference comes from petitions and proposals written by church agencies, organizations, Annual Conferences (and through them from any church organization, ordained minister or lay member). Though one of our church’s bishops presides over each session, in order to ensure the authority of elected delegates, bishops themselves have neither voice nor vote at General Conference.

The decisions made at General Conference have many potential ramifications for you and I as a local church here at East Cobb UMC, so I ask that you be in prayer for this assembly for God’s will and way to be done during and through it. You can sign up here for prayer devotions that can be sent to your email.

As with every General Conference, there will be controversial issues addressed which will incite intense passion and heated debate on all sides, and (as has happened in the past) may even get mis-reported by the secular press. So as you hear reports about this assembly on the news, I encourage you not only to be in prayer for all (including ourselves) to have Godly responses, but also for each of us to get our facts straight before we form opinions. For more information and impartial coverage of General Conference’s events and decisions, please visit our North Georgia Conference’s coverage here or visit the official General Conference website here. If you own a smart phone, you can even download an official app (Apple or Android compatible) to follow all the news and events (find information about the mobile app here).

Always remember that God loves you and I do, too!

God and Suffering

“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God....” (Romans 8:28)

“When bad things happen to good people, is it God’s ‘punishment’? When evil seems to triumph, where is God? Doesn’t the suffering that Jesus went through in his last days ‘prove’ God either doesn’t exist or doesn’t care about our human hurt?” These are some of the questions I often people ask in the face of our pain and suffering. How can Christians reconcile belief in a good, loving and powerful God in the face of natural disasters, tragedies, and the spectre of human evil?

There are obviously no easy, pat answers to such complex questions. However, the words of one author that I also shared several years ago I still believe capture the essence of what we need to recognize and remember in such circumstances...

“Suffering and tragedy is not God’s desire for us, but it does occur in the process of life. Suffering and tragedy is not given to teach us something, but through it we may learn. It’s not given to teach others something, but through it they may learn. It’s not given to punish us, but sometimes it is the consequences of our bad judgement. Suffering is not given, and tragedy does not come to us because our faith is weak, but through it our faith my be strengthened. God does not depend on human suffering to achieve His purposes, but sometimes through suffering His purposes are achieved. Suffering can either destroy us or it can add meaning to our lives.”
      [–Rev. Ray Firestone, shared by Rev. Adam Hamilton in his sermon “The Gospel In the Face of Grief” in
          the series Questions for God In the Face of Tragedy (May 3, 1998)]

My prayer is that whatever difficult or challenging thing it is that you are facing (including wrestling with the “why” of the pain and sufferings of your own life), you will know that God is with you and all those who suffer, that He wants to redeem those difficulties in order to make something good out of it, that He wants to give all who suffer hope and help to make it through, primarily through the assistance of other people.

Of course, this means that we have a responsibility to do what we can to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those who are suffering (which is why our church is constantly sharing ways that you can make a difference out of the disasters and tragedies of our world). So my prayer is that in addition to praying for our brothers and sisters who suffer, we will do what we can to help them in tangible ways, as well. God bless you as you remember to be generous to others in the same way that God has been generous to you, so that the suffering of others is relieved and hope is birthed! Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Thoughts To Ponder

“Let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time,

if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

I have shared this “poem” many times over the last few years, but each time it seems that it’s exactly what someone needs to read and hear at that time in their lives, just as it was exactly what I needed to read the first time I read it. It captures the essence of the perseverance and persistence of Jesus in doing what he knew to be right and good, even though it cost him everything…

“People are unreasonable, illogical, self-centered. ...Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish motives. ...Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and real enemies. ...Try to be successful anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow ...Do it anyway.

Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable. ...Be honest and frank anyway.

People favor the underdog, but they chum up to the top dog....Fight for the underdog anyway.

What you spend years building can be destroyed overnight. ...Build anyway.

Give the world the best you have and chances are you will get kicked in the teeth.

...Give it anyway.”
[--Though commonly attributed to Mother Teresa, the actual author is unknown]

The biblical principles behind these words can be found in Galatians 6:9-10, where Paul describes the importance of persistence in our faith. Whatever problem it is that you are wrestling with… hang in there and know that God is greater than that problem. Persevere in the name of Jesus! Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

The Power of Surrender

“…Not my will but thine be done” (Luke 22:42)

One of the spiritual tools that we are encouraged to use during the season of Lent is “surrender”, or (closely related to it) “fasting.” It is the voluntary giving up of earthly things in order to focus more intentionally on spiritual things/things of God. Jesus showed us the fullest example of this practice in the Garden of Gethsemane when he prayed “not my will but yours be done” in reference to his own upcoming suffering and death.

Yet, both the Bible and Christian history are full of other examples of God’s people willingly surrendering their own wants and desires so that God’s will and plan could be accomplished through them. One of these was the founder of Methodism John Wesley. Listen to words of admonition he wrote to his Methodists in 1755:

"In so giving yourselves to the Lord...Let Him appoint you to your work. Christ has many services to be done; some are more easy and honorable, others more difficult and menial. Some are suitable to our inclinations and interests; others are contrary to both. In some we may please Christ and please ourselves, as when he requires us to feed and clothe ourselves. Indeed, there are some spiritual duties that are more pleasing than others; as to rejoice in the Lord, to be blessing and praising of God. These are the sweet works of a Christian. But then there are other works, wherein we cannot please Christ but by denying ourselves, as in bearing and forbearing, reproving men for their sins, withdrawing from their company; witnessing against their wickedness; confessing Christ and His name, when it will cost us shame and reproach; sailing against the wind, swimming against the tide, parting with our liberties and accommodations for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."  (--From Wesley's “Covenant Renewal Service", 1755)

Twenty-five years later, he re-wrote his very popular New Year’s Covenant Service and ended it with a prayer that has come the illustrate the power of surrender for many Christians even today.

"I am no longer my own, but thine.

Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.

Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,

Exalted for thee or brought low for thee.

Let me be full, let me be empty.

Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and heartily yield all things

To thy pleasure and disposal.

And now, O glorious and blessed God,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

Thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.

And the covenant which I have made on earth,

Let it be ratified in heaven. Amen."

(--The “Covenant Prayer” from John Wesley's Covenant Service, 1780)

My hope is that whether you use Jesus’ simple prayer or Wesley’s, during this season of Lent you would open yourself to whatever God is calling you to – to surrender your will to His! You’ll find power in doing so! Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

State of the Church

"And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47)
 
One of the responsibilities that all United Methodist churches have at the first of each year is to give a statistical accounting of their annual ministry.  As this data was prepared for our “2011 Year-End-Report” to the North Georgia Annual Conference, I thought you might be interested in what I consider to be some of the highlights:
​* Total number of new members in 2011: +29;
​* New members joining in 2011 by profession or reaffirmation of Christian faith: +17 ;
​* Church membership as of December 31, 2011: 970 (the highest thus far in our church’s history);
​* Average attendance for all worship services during 2011: 357;
* Number of diverse nationalities/ethnic groups represented within our total membership:  5
​* Total number of “giving units” (persons/families) financially supporting our church’s mission and ministry: 266;
​* Average attendance in all Sunday School classes during 2011: 187;
​* Amount spent in 2011 on program ministry and operational expenses (excludes salaries): $188,116;
​* Amount spent during 2011 on buildings and improvements: $119,030;
* Amount given during 2011 for local, state, and world mission projects: $172,798 ;
​* Current value of all church-owned buildings & property: $5,680,000
 
As you can see, the statistics reveal that great things are happening at East Cobb U.M.C., with more great things still to come.  So if you haven’t already, I pray that this year you and your family will “get in” on what God is doing in our midst as we seek to carry out our mission of being “A Mosaic of God’s Family: Gathering; Growing; and Going”!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

You Might Be A Methodist If...

“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people…” (1 Peter 2:9)

For the past five weeks we’ve been learning more about what it means to be a “Methodist Christian”… to live for and serve God through the lens of Wesleyan/Methodist Christianity. As we conclude our series “Christianity the Wesleyan Way,” I wanted to share something that Susan Bridge -- one of our church’s own “saints” – shared with me  several years ago before her passing.  It’s an amusing look at what contemporary United Methodism is from the viewpoint of the famous NPR radio personality Garrison Keillor.  According to him…

-Methodists believe in prayer, but would practically die if asked to pray out loud.

-Methodists like to sing, except when confronted with a new hymn, or a hymn with more than four stanzas.

-Methodists believe their pastors will visit them in the hospital, even if they don’t notify them that they are there.

-Methodists usually follow the official liturgy and feel it is their way of suffering for their sins.

-Methodists believe in miracles and even expect miracles, especially during their stewardship programs or when collecting the offering.

-Methodists think that the Bible forbids them from crossing the aisle while during the worship greeting time.

-Methodists drink coffee as if it were a third Sacrament.

-Methodists feel guilty for not staying to clean up after their own wedding reception in the Fellowship Hall

-Methodists are willing to pay up to one dollar for a meal at church.

-Methodists still serve Jello in the proper liturgical color of the season, and think that peas in a tuna noodle casserole add too much color

-Methodists believe that is it okay to poke fun at themselves and never take themselves too seriously.

And finally, you know you are a United Methodist when...

-It’s 100 degrees, with 90% humidity, and you still have coffee after the worship service.

-You hear something really funny during the sermon and smile as loudly as you can.

-Doughnuts are a line item in the church budget… just like coffee.

-When you watch a Star Wars movie and they say “May the Force be with you,” you respond with “and also with you”

-When it takes ten minutes to say good-bye!”

Based on his description, I’d say we have a lot of true “Keillor Methodists” around at East Cobb UMC! Seriously, though, despite our many “quirks,” I count it a joy and privilege to be a Methodist Christian, and I pray that this series has helped you not only appreciate your Wesleyan/Methodist heritage, but most importantly helped you become the very best Christian you can be!  Always remember that God loves you and I do, too!

24 Hours That Changed The World

What would you do if you only had 24 hours left to live? During the last 24 hours of Jesus' life, he was betrayed, doubted, denied, and brutally killed.  Yet, the events of those 24 hours changed the world and led to over 2 billion people claiming the Christian faith. Why did this one day influence history so much, and how does it still have the power to change us today? Come find out in a new Lenten-Easter series February 26 - April 8 exploring the last 24 hours of Jesus' life.

Series sermons will be offered at both morning worship services (9:30am & 11:00am):

February 26 B The Last Supper (Mark 14:22-25)

March 4 B Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-42)

March 11B Accusation and Denial (Mark 14:43-46, 61-62, 66-72)

March 18 B Jesus, Barabbas and Pilate, Oh My! (Mark 15:1-15)

March 25 -- The Passion of Christ (Mark 15:16-21)

April 1 - Crucifixion and Death (Mark 15:22-39)

April 8 (Easter) - The Resurrection (Mark 16:1-6)

Series small groups will be offered each Sunday morning at 9:30am and 11:00am.  For more small group information, contact the church office.

Watch the series Preview Video here:

Come discover how Jesus’ last 24 hours on earth not only

changed the world, but can change you!

Transformation

“All of us... are being transformed into [God’s] image from one degree of glory to another.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

A handicapped girl with leg braces was once discouraged about her condition and wished she could quit her arduous physical therapy.  One day when her father insisted that she continue, she asked, “Daddy, don’t you love me just the way I am?”  He hugged her and replied, “Yes, honey, I love you just the way you are. But I love you too much to let you stay that way.”

God loves each of us just the way we are – imperfections and all.  He loves us even though we struggle with sin and with life’s pain and hurt.  He has forgiven us, accepted us, and brought healing to us because we have received Jesus Christ as our Savior.  But He loves us too much to let us remain as we are.

Instead, the Lord wants to change and transform us into His image.  In our struggles against sin, and through our sufferings, He desires to develop our character so that we become more like Christ.  That’s why our Christianity is never a one-event-happening, but is instead a daily surrender of our will to His.  Some biblical terms that we in the Methodist/Wesleyan branch of Christianity use to describe this process are “holiness,” “sanctification,” and moving towards “Christian perfection,” but they all add up to one thing... growing and maturing in the Lord – becoming more like Jesus today than we were yesterday, and more like him tomorrow than we are today!

So, as you and I face life’s difficulties, we need to remember that God loves us, and that He wants to use the tests, trials, and struggles we experience in life to transform us and make us better people.  Always remember that God loves you and I do, too!

The Character of A Methodist

“Is your heart as... mine [with love]?” Jehonadab answered, “It is.” Jehu said, “If it is, give me your hand.” (2 Kings 10:15)

In 1742, the founder of Methodism John Wesley published a short pamphlet titled “The Character of a Methodist”.   In it, he emphasized the distinction between essential beliefs of the Christian faith and mere opinions. He believed that Christians could be united by a few essential doctrines and yet have differing opinions about a range of other less important things, such as mode of baptism or style of worship.  He wrote, “The distinguishing marks of a Methodist are not his opinions of any sort.  But as to all opinions which do not strike at the root of Christianity, we think and let think.”  

According to Wesley in this pamphlet, a Methodist is one who...

1) “Loves the Lord his God with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, and with all his strength” and loves their brother and sister as themselves.

2) Not only loves God but keeps his commandments - all of them.

3) Is happy in God . . . his joy is full, and all his bones cry out, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ“

4) “Prays without ceasing." Not that he is always in a house of prayer . . . but at all times the language of his heart is (one of prayer).

5) Is "pure in heart." He has "put on the bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.”

6) Does good to all . . . not only their bodies but also their souls... and to provoke those who have peace with God to abound more in love and good works.

7) Is a Christian, not in name only, but in heart and in life.

8) Has the one design of his life not to do his own will but the will of him that sent him. He has a single eye.

9) Continually presents his soul and body as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God. All the talents he has received he constantly employs according to the Master's will.

10) Does all that he does to the glory of God. His business and refreshments, as well as his prayers, all serve this great end.

11) Does not let the customs of this world hinder from "running the race that is set before him.' He knows that vices does not lose its nature, though it becomes ever so fashionable.

By these marks, by these fruits of a living faith, do we labor to distinguish ourselves from the unbelieving world from all those whose minds and lives are not according to the Gospel of Christ. But from real Christians, of whatever denomination they be, we earnestly desire not to distinguished at all.”

            (–From Wesley’s “Character of a Methodist,” modified from an article shared by Jamie

               Jenkins in North Georgia United Methodist Conference’s “Monday Morning in North

               Georgia”, January 12, 2009)

Obviously, then, there’s room for many under the umbrella of Methodist Christianity.  Of course, though, the goal was (and still is) not to make or become “good little United Methodists,” but instead to become the very best Christians that we can be.  For Wesley and many others, living out the above-mentioned “Character of a Methodist” is the very best way to do this!

So, after reading and meditating on them all... what kind of Methodist are you?  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

What Is A United Methodist?

“Are we together and of one mind in this [ministry of love]?... If so, then give me your hand.” (2 Kings 10:15, MSG)

A pastor-friend of mine once shared the following “tongue-in-cheek” definition of what it means to be a United Methodist:

“United Methodists believer fervently in prayer, but almost faint when asked to pray in public.

United Methodists like to sing, unless the song is new or has more than four verses.

United Methodists love good preaching, so long as it does not scratch where people itch or make the worship service last beyond 12Noon.

United Methodists enjoy watching the generous give and stingy squirm, so long as the generous ones are someone else.

United Methodists believe in the Bible, although they have a hard time getting around to reading and studying it very often.

United Methodists want visitors and guests to feel welcome, as long as they don’t sit in their seat.

United Methodists like sermons to be very intelligent, very comprehensive, very simple, and very short.

United Methodists will come to any meeting at church… as long as a free meal is served.

As Baptist preacher-comedian Grady Nutt once said, ‘Baptists probably sin as much as United Methodists; they just don’t enjoy it as much!’”

[-Shared by Rev. Dr. Ferrell Drummond in the bulletin of Carrollton First UMC (Carrollton, GA), July 16, 1995]

I hope you’ll join me in worship January 15-February 12 as I begin a new sermon series called “Christianity the Wesleyan Way,” exploring what it really means to be a United Methodist Christian in today’s world, and how that identity and practice can make a true different in our lives! Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

In The Works #5

“Without a vision the people perish...” (Proverbs 29:18, KJV)

Over the last few years, I’ve occasionally shared several “In The Works” articles about various facility-related initiatives that are currently (or have been recently) in various stages of development at East Cobb UMC.

First, let’s remember a few Recently Completed Initiatives from the past year or so that I hope you’ve already been enjoying: new Education and Activities building doors; renovated Narthex restrooms; a weekly online e-newsletter; completion of our new entrances from Roswell Rd. by the Georgia D.O.T. ; public Wi-Fi access in our Fellowship Hall; and the completion of our new outdoor digital monument sign that will redefine our identity and presence from Roswell Rd. I remind you that all of these “accomplishments” were part of the original long range strategic development plan for our church.

Now let me share a brief update about just a few more things “in the works” that I hope will be of interest to you:

* Redevelopment of our church website and creation of an interactive online community – our new website will be active soon, and in the meantime “The City” is our new interactive community that can allow interaction between members and groups in a way previously not possible. It also houses our redesigned and upgraded site for online giving.

* Parking Lot blacktop resurfacing and restriping – this year our Trustees committee will be exploring the feasibility of either resurfacing the entire parking lot or restriping the parking areas (or both) to reflect our new traffic patterns.

* Look for our “Tech Support” ministry to explore the possibility of Enhancing Our Wi-Fi Hot Spots throughout our facility (including potential new public hot spots in the Narthex and Crossroads areas and extending the reach of the Fellowship Hall Hot Spot to the lower floors), and a possible new video announcement system for the Narthex and Crossroads (featuring continuous announcements looping on flat screen monitors).

* Our Strategic Planning Team continues its work on the pieces of our church’s Long-Term Strategic Plan that have yet to be fully defined (remember that some, mentioned above, have already been accomplished). We currently are working with an architect who is developing possible designs for extensive renovations to our Annex, Lighthouse Academy, and office areas of our main building, and our hope is to have these plans ready to be shared with the entire congregation for input sometime this Spring.

To find out more detail about any of these initiatives (or if you have input, ideas, or expertise that you’re willing to share to help accomplish them), please email or call the church office (770-971-3643), and we’ll have someone from the appropriate group respond to your specific question(s).

In the meantime, continue to pray for your church leaders as they seek God’s will and wisdom for all of us, and remember that God’s mission for us of being “A Mosaic of God’s Family: Gathering, Growing, and Going” is one that will require all of us to do our part in order for it to be accomplished. Remember that God loves you and I do, too!