That Old Time Religion
In the year 1860, a Circuit Rider from the Tennessee Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, began holding services in what is now Gardendale, Alabama. His name was John Shugart. He most likely began his ministry here with a series of evangelistic services known as a Brush Arbor or Camp Meeting. Since there was not a building when Brother Shugart arrived, a Brush Arbor was most likely built where the people would gather for fellowship and evangelistic worship.
August has become for us a “modern-day” month of evangelistic worship. Our settings for worship are much more comfortable than the old Brush Arbor. But like those old Camp Meeting services, this month will be a great time to invite your undiscipled friends, relatives, neighbors and social connections. All of our services during August will be informal, with causal dress. Even the 11:00 worship leaders will take off the robes and dress more causally. There will be inspiring music, lay testimonies and Good News preaching.
Speaking of Good News preaching, our world is in need of some good news. We live in a time when bad news is very prevalent. Residents of Jefferson County got more bad news this week with the announced closing of the Courthouse satellites. In the midst of the bad news, we Christians have some great news to share with the world. It is the Good News of God’s love, mercy and grace. I encourage you to invite your undiscipled friends to join you in worship as we celebrate some Good News each week.
Have you identified an undiscipled, unchurched person that God wants you to invite to worship? Have you made a commitment to answer Jesus’ prayer for laborers in His harvest? It is not too late to participate in Pray-Invite-Reach. Ask God to direct you to that person for whom you will pray and invite to worship, or invite to Back to Church on August 9th.
Weekday Prayer Intercessors are needed to spend some time in the Chapel praying for those who will be offering invitations during August. Numbers made a commitment to Pray-Invite-Reach during worship last Sunday (July 26). Those cards are now on the altar in the Chapel. When you are here on campus, go by the chapel and spend some time praying for those who have made a commitment to Pray-Invite-Reach and also pray for those they will be inviting. There is a guide you can us for that prayer time.
In the fourth chapter of Acts, we read where the early church prayed for greater boldness in their witnessing. That would be a good prayer for us to be praying. I cannot imagine the power that could be released if all of us would come by the Chapel sometime during the week and then participate in the Prayer Vigil on Saturday, August 8. The fourth chapter of Acts mentions thousands coming to faith following that prayer for greater boldness. Could it happen here? It really is up to us and our willingness to make this place a “House of Prayer.”
Invitation Cards are available to help you invite persons to Back to Church, August 9th. Studies show that personal invitations are the best way to connect persons to Christ and His Church. Pick up several of the Invitation Cards and use them to invite someone Back to Church.
Volunteers are still needed for our Back to Church event. For a list of areas, contact the church office, Linda Lawrence linda.lawrence@wachoviasec.com or Heather Lebischak hlebischak@constangy.com
Young Adults and Youth have the end of summer “Slip and Slide” to which you can invite your friends. It will be on August 8th. You can find more information in the last Connection. Contact the Amy Sizemore to register - asizemore@gmvumc.org
Most of The Unexpected Adventure, small groups begin this coming week. If you have ever made an excuse about sharing your faith, these groups will be a great opportunity to become more confident. There are small groups Sunday through Thursday evenings and a few in the day time. If you are leading one of the groups, a Leaders Guide can be picked up in the office.
In addition to the Small Groups, I will be teaching on Faith-Sharing during the evening services in August. Join us at 6:30 on Sunday evenings for a time of worship and growing as a witness for Jesus Christ.
I believe God has something special in store for us during our Reach 2009-August Camp Meeting. He has brought teaching about faith-sharing, prayer and powerful evangelistic services together in order to change lives. Could we be on the verge of another Pentecost?
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Talk to others about Jesus
Sunday, July 12th, Gina, Bethany and I began the day with worship on the beach. The Foley United Methodist Church holds a worship service on the beach at the Gulf Shores State Park. It was a beautiful morning and a wonderful experience of worship. The message asked the question, “Why I Love Jesus.” The seagulls joined in the praise of God as we sang. As the benediction concluded, a dolphin leaped off shore, as if it was dancing before God.
Later that day, we stopped by the grocery store. As I was waiting for Gina and Bethany to pick out some fruit, I entered into conversation with one of the employees. He greeted me, and as we often do, he asked how I was doing. I responded by saying, “It’s a great day. I began the day with worship on the beach.” At that he stopped straightening up the cans and said, “I hope to go to worship when I get off.” A brief conversation followed. It all happened because I made a simple reference to worship.
On the next isle I got ahead of Gina and Bethany again. As I stood waiting for them, an employee asked if he could help me. I told him I was waiting on my wife. He made a comment about having to wait on females that lead to the statement, “Can’t live with them and can’t live without them.” I responded, “But they are God’s gift.” He looked kind of shocked. Before I could go any further, another shopper asked him where to find something, so he turned and walked away.
I was open to those two encounters because of what I have been learning from the book, The Unexpected Adventure, by Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg. Lee and Mark have reminded me that I have daily opportunities to enter into faith conversations if I simply look for an entrance point. The book has been more aware of seizing the little openings that have the potential of turning into the unexpected adventure of sharing Jesus. It is amazing how a simple reference to “worship on the beach” can turn into a conversation about Jesus.
This Sunday you will have the opportunity to purchase the book The Unexpected Adventure and sign up for a Small Group to study the book. Most of the Small Groups begin the week of August 2nd. We have groups Sunday through Thursday nights and some during the day. If you have ever made an excuse about witnessing, this study could be a blessing in your life.
I will also be doing some teaching about this adventure of faith-sharing the first 4 Sunday nights in August. I hope you will join us for worship and growing as a witness for Jesus Christ.
I believe God works in the timing of opportunities in His Church. I was lead to “The Unexpected Adventure” last spring. Only God knew that our Prayer Team would later decide to have the emphasis Pray-Invite-Reach or that the Evangelism team would lead us in a Back to Church Day. The timing must be a God work, for your participation in The Unexpected Adventure studies, can help you follow through with these other opportunities.
This Sunday, July 26, you will have the opportunity to make a commitment to the Pray-Invite-Reach emphasis. You are encouraged to make a commitment to pray for one to five unchurched/undiscipled persons who you will later invite to worship during Reach 2009-August Camp Meeting and/or Back to Church Day, August 9th. If you were in worship last Sunday (July 19) there was a Pray-Invite-Reach card in your bulletin. Pray-Invite-Reach cards will also be available this Sunday. I encourage you to prayerfully consider your friends, relatives, associations and neighbors, who God is leading you to invite to worship. There will also be Invitation Cards available to use in inviting persons to Back to Church Day.
Have you seen the line up of Discipleship opportunities that are beginning August 12? In addition to The Unexpected Adventure being offered during Wednesday Grow, there are numbers of others opportunities to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ. It would be helpful if you would go ahead and sign up so that books can be ordered in time to arrive by August 12th. You can see a list of opportunities around the church and register by emailing Jeri Hunt jhunt@gmvumc.org.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
Sunday, July 12th, Gina, Bethany and I began the day with worship on the beach. The Foley United Methodist Church holds a worship service on the beach at the Gulf Shores State Park. It was a beautiful morning and a wonderful experience of worship. The message asked the question, “Why I Love Jesus.” The seagulls joined in the praise of God as we sang. As the benediction concluded, a dolphin leaped off shore, as if it was dancing before God.
Later that day, we stopped by the grocery store. As I was waiting for Gina and Bethany to pick out some fruit, I entered into conversation with one of the employees. He greeted me, and as we often do, he asked how I was doing. I responded by saying, “It’s a great day. I began the day with worship on the beach.” At that he stopped straightening up the cans and said, “I hope to go to worship when I get off.” A brief conversation followed. It all happened because I made a simple reference to worship.
On the next isle I got ahead of Gina and Bethany again. As I stood waiting for them, an employee asked if he could help me. I told him I was waiting on my wife. He made a comment about having to wait on females that lead to the statement, “Can’t live with them and can’t live without them.” I responded, “But they are God’s gift.” He looked kind of shocked. Before I could go any further, another shopper asked him where to find something, so he turned and walked away.
I was open to those two encounters because of what I have been learning from the book, The Unexpected Adventure, by Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg. Lee and Mark have reminded me that I have daily opportunities to enter into faith conversations if I simply look for an entrance point. The book has been more aware of seizing the little openings that have the potential of turning into the unexpected adventure of sharing Jesus. It is amazing how a simple reference to “worship on the beach” can turn into a conversation about Jesus.
This Sunday you will have the opportunity to purchase the book The Unexpected Adventure and sign up for a Small Group to study the book. Most of the Small Groups begin the week of August 2nd. We have groups Sunday through Thursday nights and some during the day. If you have ever made an excuse about witnessing, this study could be a blessing in your life.
I will also be doing some teaching about this adventure of faith-sharing the first 4 Sunday nights in August. I hope you will join us for worship and growing as a witness for Jesus Christ.
I believe God works in the timing of opportunities in His Church. I was lead to “The Unexpected Adventure” last spring. Only God knew that our Prayer Team would later decide to have the emphasis Pray-Invite-Reach or that the Evangelism team would lead us in a Back to Church Day. The timing must be a God work, for your participation in The Unexpected Adventure studies, can help you follow through with these other opportunities.
This Sunday, July 26, you will have the opportunity to make a commitment to the Pray-Invite-Reach emphasis. You are encouraged to make a commitment to pray for one to five unchurched/undiscipled persons who you will later invite to worship during Reach 2009-August Camp Meeting and/or Back to Church Day, August 9th. If you were in worship last Sunday (July 19) there was a Pray-Invite-Reach card in your bulletin. Pray-Invite-Reach cards will also be available this Sunday. I encourage you to prayerfully consider your friends, relatives, associations and neighbors, who God is leading you to invite to worship. There will also be Invitation Cards available to use in inviting persons to Back to Church Day.
Have you seen the line up of Discipleship opportunities that are beginning August 12? In addition to The Unexpected Adventure being offered during Wednesday Grow, there are numbers of others opportunities to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ. It would be helpful if you would go ahead and sign up so that books can be ordered in time to arrive by August 12th. You can see a list of opportunities around the church and register by emailing Jeri Hunt jhunt@gmvumc.org.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
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