If you have been in worship this year, you have seen the new bulletins. We thank Rachel Fitzpatrick for designing the logo that will be on all of our 150th Anniversary material. As you probably know by now, we have kicked off a year long celebration of our 150th Anniversary of ministry here in North Jefferson County.
In preparation for this year of celebrating, the 150th Anniversary Committee has attempted to read most of the histories that have been written through the years on both the Gardendale Church, which had its birth in 1860, and the Mt. Vernon Church, which had its birth in 1878. Often times those histories were revised when a new directory was done. As you read of those two churches and then their coming together on this hillside in 1974, you learn a lot about living into a vision.
It started with the vision of the Rev. John Shugart and the Tennessee conference. This part of North Jefferson county had not developed enough to even have a name when Brother Shugart began holding evangelistic services in what is now Gardendale. But he had a vision, a vision that moved Methodist across this nation, a vision to offer everyone Christ and to spread scriptural holiness.
I have noticed that often the histories of these two churches moved from one building project to the next. If you look closer, those building projects were testimonies to the churches real mission of growing more fully committed disciples of Jesus Christ. That is the way it should be. The vision should never be about building for building sake. It is about providing space to better fulfill the mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ. When a church stops visioning of new facilities, it has probably stopped visioning of reaching many new people for Jesus Christ.
George Mathison sends me the newsletter from Auburn United Methodist Church. In a recent newsletter he mentioned their purchase of another Church Facility. They do not need all that facility at the present moment, but they are preparing for the future. I sense that Gardendale-Mt Vernon has witnessed that kind of visioning in its 150 years of ministry.
Teresa Watson has been working on ways to get the news of 150th Anniversary out to the community. She was able to line up spot on NBC 13’s Mid-Day News a couple of weeks ago. We have been able to obtain a copy of the interview that Lisa Crane did with me that day. It is included in this blog.
As we celebrate these 150 years of ministry, our Building Committee is looking at cost for a new Children’s Ministry Building. They have already discovered that cost estimates for the new building are down from two years ago. They are gathering information which they hope to have ready for the March Administrative Board meeting.
While construction on a new building is still down the road, we need to remember what is driving that vision. If we had additional space we could increase the number of children we have the opportunity to influence for Christ. Our overall waiting list still numbers over 300 children. We also need additional Sunday school space for adults. We are running out of room and we really need to begin one or two more classes right now. And when the entire new Children’s Ministry Building is complete, we will also have room to expand our facilities for youth. That’s the reason we have a new building on the drawing board, to provide additional space to connect more people to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, to grow more people in Christ-like love and to send more people into the world through Christ-like service.
Before we can think much more about building a new facility, we have to fix some erosion problems. You need to know that our building is not presently in danger, but the heavy rains have created some major erosion issues. The Trustees decided to do more than another stop gap attempt to stop the erosion. They hired an engineering firm to give us a solution for the long haul. The Trustees are almost ready to bring those recommendations to the Administrative Board and then put the work out for bid. They will keep us informed of the next steps in that journey. You need to know that it will not be cheap. Be in prayer for the decisions related to this work and its funding.
You should have received a packet of information about our Global Impact Celebration. It kicks off next Wednesday, February 3rd, 6:30 PM. Make plans to participate in all the opportunities of the Global Impact Celebration.
Because of the Faith Promises made last year at the Global Impact Celebration, our Mission Team was able to send $1,300 immediately to our United Methodist Committee on Relief for there response in Haiti. I encourage you to be in prayer for your Faith Promise commitment to missions that will be made in the morning services on February 7th. A Commitment was included in the packet of information you received.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Prayer and Action Together Yields Results part II
Prayer and Action should also be our response to the disaster in Haiti. I heard last night that there had been another earthquake in Haiti. As God’s people, we need to be in prayer for the people of Haiti. Here are some of the ways I have been praying for the people of Haiti: Strength for those still trapped; Direction for those searching for survivors; Medical help for the injured; Wisdom for the nation’s leaders; Protection and Energy for rescue and help personal; Supplies to arrive where needed; Guidance for leaders of helping agencies. Our prayers also need to take action. The best action at the present time is money and/or health kits. Our Mission Team has already sent $1300 from our Faith Promise Budget to Haiti relief. In addition, $1905.69 was given Sunday to Haiti relief and it has been sent. I am aware of additional money that has come in since Sunday. If you want to make a gift simply make your check to the church and mark it for “Haiti.” One advantage of giving through your church is every penny given through our United Methodist Committee on Relief will go to Haiti relief. Here is some of the latest information I have about our Annual Conference’s efforts. On January 19, a PX-12 airplane departed Huntsville with purification systems, health kits and medical supplies. We were ready to respond so quickly because of our Disaster Warehouse in Decatur. “Health Kits” were there, ready to be shipped. The plane should have landed by now Barahona, Dominican Republic. The supplies will then be trucked 20 miles to an orphanage in Jimani, Haiti. This 40 bed orphanage was scheduled to open in February. It has become a relief station that had 1,800 people last Thursday night. There were 10 water purification systems on the plane. Each system will produce 10,000 gallons of drinking water per day. The rest of the shipment was health kits and medical supplies. It is a God thing that a general surgeon from Nashville, Dr. David Vanderpool, was in Haiti. He is now working out of the orphanage. On Monday he made contact with his wife in Nashville listing medicines and supplies that were needed. She worked with Nashville hospitals to collect the supplies and got them to Huntsville to be part of the shipment. The plane also carried a satellite uplink system so that better communications with our UMCOR teams can take place. These kind of things happened because of the connection of our great church. Let me get back to Actions we can take. We are told that right now money is the best thing we can do. Attached is a link to the UMCOR site where you may make a donation. http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/ There are two other ways you can also take action. One is collect items for Health Kits. Our Children’s Ministries are giving leadership in this. Our Child Enrichment Center has collection bins outside their dining room where Health Kit Items can be placed.
Here is what is included in each Health Kits:1 hand towel (15” x 25” up to 17” x 27”, no kitchen towels)1 washcloth1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up)1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, no child-size brushes)6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandagesPlus $1.00 for toothpaste (Our UMCOR warehouse purchases toothpaste in bulk to ensure product does not expire before it is sent.) The After-School Children at CEC will be putting these supplies together into Health Kits. Because of international transportation issues, each kit must have only the listed items, so if you bring items they must be those listed above.
There is also a need for Food – specifically rice, dry beans, powdered milk and powered infant formula. Our Disaster Relief Warehouse in Decatur is collecting these specific food items and will be doing a shipment of them. Bins will be place around the church were you can donate these items as well.
Don’t forget there are two important Training Events Sunday. Our Evangelism System training will be 12:15 PM. This includes lunch, so please contact the office to make your reservations. There are a variety of opportunities in our Evangelism System where volunteers with a heart to bring people to Christ and the Church are needed. The Evangelism System includes Sunday Computer Teams, First Time Visitor Follow-up, Telephone Teams, Cultivation Teams and Welcome Wagon Teams. Come and see if there is a place God may be calling you to serve.
Care Team Captain training will be held at 4:00 PM Sunday afternoon. These teams are vital to providing care to our growing congregation. Each Team consists of about 5 families. The Captain sees that the Care Team truly cares for one another. We can always use additional Care Team Captains as the need for additional teams grows every year.
Our Global Impact Celebration kicks off two weeks from tonight. (Kick off service is Wednesday, February 3, 6:30 PM) Make plans to be part of this great night of worship. And be in prayer about your above the tithe commitment to this year’s Faith Promise Budget.
Here is what is included in each Health Kits:1 hand towel (15” x 25” up to 17” x 27”, no kitchen towels)1 washcloth1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up)1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, no child-size brushes)6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandagesPlus $1.00 for toothpaste (Our UMCOR warehouse purchases toothpaste in bulk to ensure product does not expire before it is sent.) The After-School Children at CEC will be putting these supplies together into Health Kits. Because of international transportation issues, each kit must have only the listed items, so if you bring items they must be those listed above.
There is also a need for Food – specifically rice, dry beans, powdered milk and powered infant formula. Our Disaster Relief Warehouse in Decatur is collecting these specific food items and will be doing a shipment of them. Bins will be place around the church were you can donate these items as well.
Don’t forget there are two important Training Events Sunday. Our Evangelism System training will be 12:15 PM. This includes lunch, so please contact the office to make your reservations. There are a variety of opportunities in our Evangelism System where volunteers with a heart to bring people to Christ and the Church are needed. The Evangelism System includes Sunday Computer Teams, First Time Visitor Follow-up, Telephone Teams, Cultivation Teams and Welcome Wagon Teams. Come and see if there is a place God may be calling you to serve.
Care Team Captain training will be held at 4:00 PM Sunday afternoon. These teams are vital to providing care to our growing congregation. Each Team consists of about 5 families. The Captain sees that the Care Team truly cares for one another. We can always use additional Care Team Captains as the need for additional teams grows every year.
Our Global Impact Celebration kicks off two weeks from tonight. (Kick off service is Wednesday, February 3, 6:30 PM) Make plans to be part of this great night of worship. And be in prayer about your above the tithe commitment to this year’s Faith Promise Budget.
Prayer & Action Together Yields Results
This morning’s Upper Room Devotional (January 20, 2010) captures key parts of my last two messages. The devotional was based on the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem under Nehemiah. The scripture was from Nehemiah four. As the wall was going up, some opposition developed. Nehemiah told the people to pray and establish some guards.
Tori Tremaine Walker, who wrote the devotional, closed this way: “What desire or situation pulls at your heart today? Besides praying, what action does God want you to take in this matter? As Nehemiah 4 tells us, God’s people discovered that prayer plus action yields results.”
Prayer and Action are keys to living the change that God wants to establish in our lives. Many of us made New Years Resolutions. Others in our Church Family made a commitment to change something in their life. These are represented by the sticky notes on the crosses in the sanctuary and gym. But how do we keep the change? That’s what we are looking at in the present message series, “Keep the Change: Resolutions that Stick.”
In the first message we saw that Thinking is a key component to change. Paul tells us,“Let the Spirit change your way of thinking.” (Ephesians 4:23; Contemporary English Version) This most often takes place was we pray and mediate on God’s Word and the change that God wants to bring about in our lives.
This past Sunday we saw that Action is also vital if we are to Keep the Change. We must become doers of God’s Word. This Sunday we will see that we must take Responsibility for Change in our lives. But Tori was right, real change involves Prayer and Action. The Application Sheet this week can help you in both of these areas.
Tori Tremaine Walker, who wrote the devotional, closed this way: “What desire or situation pulls at your heart today? Besides praying, what action does God want you to take in this matter? As Nehemiah 4 tells us, God’s people discovered that prayer plus action yields results.”
Prayer and Action are keys to living the change that God wants to establish in our lives. Many of us made New Years Resolutions. Others in our Church Family made a commitment to change something in their life. These are represented by the sticky notes on the crosses in the sanctuary and gym. But how do we keep the change? That’s what we are looking at in the present message series, “Keep the Change: Resolutions that Stick.”
In the first message we saw that Thinking is a key component to change. Paul tells us,“Let the Spirit change your way of thinking.” (Ephesians 4:23; Contemporary English Version) This most often takes place was we pray and mediate on God’s Word and the change that God wants to bring about in our lives.
This past Sunday we saw that Action is also vital if we are to Keep the Change. We must become doers of God’s Word. This Sunday we will see that we must take Responsibility for Change in our lives. But Tori was right, real change involves Prayer and Action. The Application Sheet this week can help you in both of these areas.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
A New Way of Thinking
God truly moved in our worship Sunday. In each service people lined up to place a commitment on one of the crosses. Several hundred of us made a commitment to be made new in some area of our life. If you are one of those who placed a commitment on one of the crosses, I have prayed for you this morning. I pray that the Holy Spirit will lead you to a new way of thinking that will change your life.
There was an insert in this past Sunday’s bulletin that was designed to help you apply the message. In case you were not here or forgot to take yours with you, a copy is attached to this email. As I studied for this message series, “Keep the Change – Resolutions that Stick,” I realized that many of our resolutions never take root in our minds. Sure, our mind is involved when we decide to make our resolutions. But how much time do we really devote to thinking about the new way we are to live? If we don’t make thinking about the changes a part of our lives, our commitments will soon be out of our minds. The application ideas provided on the attachment can help you think for a change.
This morning’s thought from “WalktheWalk.com” spoke to this issue of thinking. The quote was from Patricia Neal; “A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug.” If you really want to see change, it must start with your mind. Remember what the Proverb says,“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7a, New King James Version)
Yesterday, I had the privilege of appearing on NBC 13’s Mid-Day News to share a little about our 150th Anniversary. I thank Teresa Watson for setting that up. It was an opportunity to share about our year long celebration of 150 years of ministry in North Jefferson County.
I understand we are going to have a special guest from the past with us in worship Sunday. He will share what brought him to what is now the Gardendale area to begin a new church. The church that began as Shugart’s Chapel would later become New Bethel and after the town of Gardendale was established, it became the Gardendale Methodist Church.
Lisa Crane was the NBC 13 news person who did the interview. She was amazed by the three different styles of worship we offer each Sunday morning. In our prep time before the live interview, she made the comment that many churches have three worship services, but she was not aware of any that had three different styles of worship. Then she said, “I can see where that opens the door to reach a diversity of people.” That is so true. In conversations with new members the last few years, this diversity of worship has regularly been lifted up as one of our greatest strengths.
Each month, we send a questionnaire to those who worshiped with us for the first time during that month. It asked them to share their reflections on various aspects of their experience here at Gardendale-Mt. Vernon. It also asks “How did you hear about Gardendale-Mt. Vernon UMC?” The number one response to that question continues to be “Invitation.” More people come to worship because someone invited them than any other reason. It reminds me we must be offering the invitation. Who have you invited lately?
One of the latest questionnaires to be returned reminded us we are not always as welcoming as we like to think. Another question asks, “Did an usher or greeter extend a warm welcome and provide adequate assistance?” The person checked “No.”
Hospitality should be the responsibility of all of us. We need to make an effort to speak to persons, especially persons we do not know. It is also true, what is everybody’s responsibility is often nobody’s responsibility. That is the reason we must be very intentional about our hospitality. Come and learn how you can help make Gardendale-Mt. Vernon a more Hospitable Place in the Hospitality Training this Sunday afternoon, at 5:00 PM.
Another key to helping people feel truly welcome is effective follow up. On Sunday, January 24, you can learn how to help with our follow up on guests to our church. That is what our Evangelism System is all about. Our Evangelism System training will be, January 24, 12:15 PM. This includes lunch, so please contact the office to make your reservations. There are a variety of opportunities in our Evangelism System where volunteers with a heart to bring people to Christ and the Church are needed. The Evangelism System includes Sunday Computer Teams, First Time Visitor Follow-up, Telephone Teams, Cultivation Teams and Welcome Wagon Teams.
Also on January 24, Care Team Captain training will be held at 4:00 PM. These teams are vital to providing care to our growing congregation. Each Team consists of about 5 families. The Captain sees that the Care Team truly cares for one another.
Participation in any of these trainings do not obligate you to serve in that area. Come and learn what your church is doing and see if one of these might be a place you can use the Gifts God has given you.
Our Global Impact Celebration is kicks off three weeks from tonight. (Kick off service is Wednesday, February 3, 6:30 PM) Because of your support of the Faith Promise Budget, we already have money to send to Earthquake relief in Haiti. Be in prayer for your above the tithe commitment to this year’s Faith Promise Budget. And if you don’t give to Faith Promise, and want to give to Haiti relief, you can mark your gift Haiti relief.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
There was an insert in this past Sunday’s bulletin that was designed to help you apply the message. In case you were not here or forgot to take yours with you, a copy is attached to this email. As I studied for this message series, “Keep the Change – Resolutions that Stick,” I realized that many of our resolutions never take root in our minds. Sure, our mind is involved when we decide to make our resolutions. But how much time do we really devote to thinking about the new way we are to live? If we don’t make thinking about the changes a part of our lives, our commitments will soon be out of our minds. The application ideas provided on the attachment can help you think for a change.
This morning’s thought from “WalktheWalk.com” spoke to this issue of thinking. The quote was from Patricia Neal; “A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug.” If you really want to see change, it must start with your mind. Remember what the Proverb says,“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7a, New King James Version)
Yesterday, I had the privilege of appearing on NBC 13’s Mid-Day News to share a little about our 150th Anniversary. I thank Teresa Watson for setting that up. It was an opportunity to share about our year long celebration of 150 years of ministry in North Jefferson County.
I understand we are going to have a special guest from the past with us in worship Sunday. He will share what brought him to what is now the Gardendale area to begin a new church. The church that began as Shugart’s Chapel would later become New Bethel and after the town of Gardendale was established, it became the Gardendale Methodist Church.
Lisa Crane was the NBC 13 news person who did the interview. She was amazed by the three different styles of worship we offer each Sunday morning. In our prep time before the live interview, she made the comment that many churches have three worship services, but she was not aware of any that had three different styles of worship. Then she said, “I can see where that opens the door to reach a diversity of people.” That is so true. In conversations with new members the last few years, this diversity of worship has regularly been lifted up as one of our greatest strengths.
Each month, we send a questionnaire to those who worshiped with us for the first time during that month. It asked them to share their reflections on various aspects of their experience here at Gardendale-Mt. Vernon. It also asks “How did you hear about Gardendale-Mt. Vernon UMC?” The number one response to that question continues to be “Invitation.” More people come to worship because someone invited them than any other reason. It reminds me we must be offering the invitation. Who have you invited lately?
One of the latest questionnaires to be returned reminded us we are not always as welcoming as we like to think. Another question asks, “Did an usher or greeter extend a warm welcome and provide adequate assistance?” The person checked “No.”
Hospitality should be the responsibility of all of us. We need to make an effort to speak to persons, especially persons we do not know. It is also true, what is everybody’s responsibility is often nobody’s responsibility. That is the reason we must be very intentional about our hospitality. Come and learn how you can help make Gardendale-Mt. Vernon a more Hospitable Place in the Hospitality Training this Sunday afternoon, at 5:00 PM.
Another key to helping people feel truly welcome is effective follow up. On Sunday, January 24, you can learn how to help with our follow up on guests to our church. That is what our Evangelism System is all about. Our Evangelism System training will be, January 24, 12:15 PM. This includes lunch, so please contact the office to make your reservations. There are a variety of opportunities in our Evangelism System where volunteers with a heart to bring people to Christ and the Church are needed. The Evangelism System includes Sunday Computer Teams, First Time Visitor Follow-up, Telephone Teams, Cultivation Teams and Welcome Wagon Teams.
Also on January 24, Care Team Captain training will be held at 4:00 PM. These teams are vital to providing care to our growing congregation. Each Team consists of about 5 families. The Captain sees that the Care Team truly cares for one another.
Participation in any of these trainings do not obligate you to serve in that area. Come and learn what your church is doing and see if one of these might be a place you can use the Gifts God has given you.
Our Global Impact Celebration is kicks off three weeks from tonight. (Kick off service is Wednesday, February 3, 6:30 PM) Because of your support of the Faith Promise Budget, we already have money to send to Earthquake relief in Haiti. Be in prayer for your above the tithe commitment to this year’s Faith Promise Budget. And if you don’t give to Faith Promise, and want to give to Haiti relief, you can mark your gift Haiti relief.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Being Made New
The Apostle Paul said that those who commit their lives to Christ are made new. The old person dies and a new life begins. (2 Corinthians 5:17) This is more than simply making some improvements in our lives. It is becoming new in Jesus Christ.
That’s the way I’m looking at my New Years Resolutions. Where is it that I need to be made new in Christ? I need more than simply to improve. I need to be changed by the power of Christ.
As I think about that, I remember what Paul said in Romans 7; “I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do.” He would go on to write, “Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:18-19, 24-25; NRSV)
It is Christ who makes us new. Through His Word, God gives us some instructions on living this new life, this changed life. That’s what we are going to be looking at in the message series that begins this Sunday, January 10, 2010 – “Keep the Change – Resolutions that Stick.” The issue really is being changed and staying changed. We cannot do that on our own. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to keep the change.
This is what John Wesley referred to as Sanctifying Grace. It is the grace of God that justifies us, makes us clean, gives us a new life. He called that Justifying Grace. Sanctifying Grace transforms us and gives us the power to live differently, to live the change. If you want to understand and experience the fullness of God’s grace, I recommend the Emmaus Walk. If you want to know more about this 72 hour spiritual weekend, drop me an email. Or, talk to someone who has attended the Walk to Emmaus.
We have many new, exciting, faith-growing classes beginning tonight. I encourage you to find a class to grow deeper in your faith. I know it is cold outside, but the heaters are working here. If you are reading this after Wednesday, then come next Wednesday. It will not be too late to join a class.
Over the next few Sundays there will be training in several areas vital to the growth of the church. It begins this Sunday, January 10th with Fellowship Friends and Prayer Usher Training. Fellowship Friends come alongside new members to help them get connected to the Body of Christ here at Gardendale-Mt. Vernon. That training begins at 12:15 and includes lunch. To help us be good stewards of the food, please sign up with the office. Prayer Ushers serve alongside the pastors during the altar times in our worship services. That training will be at 4:00 PM.
The following Sunday, January 17, there will be Hospitality Training at 4:00 PM. We are all responsible to make this a welcoming community. But with the many entrances to this facility, it is easy for people to enter and not be truly welcome. It can even happen in the main entrance places if we are not being intentional. This training will essentially be Hospitality 101. Come see where you might use your gifts to make guests feel truly welcomed.
On Sunday, January 24, there will be two more training events. Our Evangelism System training will be at 12:15. This one includes lunch, so please sign up. There are a variety of opportunities in our Evangelism System where volunteers are needed who have a heart to bring people into the church. The Evangelism System includes Sunday Computer Teams, First Time Visitor Follow-up, Telephone Teams, Cultivation Teams and Welcome Wagon Teams.
Also on January 24, Care Team Captain training will be held at 4:00 PM. These teams are vital to providing care to our growing congregation. Each Team consists of about 5 families. The Captain sees that the Care Team truly cares for one another.
Participation in any of these training does not obligate you to serve in that area. Come and learn what your church is doing and see if one of these might be a place you can use the Gifts God has given you.
You may have seen that some warming shelters have been established in the area to provide a place for people to get out of the cold. Boutwell Audorium will be open as a place to sleep during this period of record cold. They opened Tuesday night and will be open through Sunday night. Hours are 6:00 PM to 7:00 AM. There will not be any meals provided, but some warm drinks and snack. http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/01/downtown_birmingham_warming_sh.html
There is an opportunity to volunteer at the warming shelter. Volunteers are needed to help guests feel welcome, serve coffee, help families to their cots, general clean up and help with the information booth. If you would like to volunteer, here’s a contact email Candi@handsonbirmingham.org.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
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