“Encountering Jesus and Encountering Our Need for Him”
T is one of my favorite weeks of the year, but that only recently became the case. For years I never paid much attention to the “Sunday before Lent”, which the Revised Common Lectionary recognizes as “Transfiguration Sunday”. The Gospel text for this Sunday rotates over a three-year period, but each of those three years the story is essentially the same – Matthew, Mark and Luke’s account of the Transfiguration of Jesus. In all three accounts Jesus appears to transform before three of his closest disciples, two of the great historical figures of Judaism appear in Moses and Elijah, and there’s a voice from heaven! Pretty awesome stuff! Up until a few years ago, I had never preached on any of those passages and had never given them much thought.
When I put together my first sermon series chart at Centerville, I made a commitment to utilize the traditional readings associated with the “high holy days”, preparation seasons (Advent and Lent), and celebration seasons (Christmas and Easter). This meant trying to figure out what to do with this mysterious experience that took place on the side of a mountain, which left those three disciples completely baffled about what they had just seen. If we read this experience on our own without any preconceived idea of what it means, it should leave us pretty baffled as well.
The reason that this week has become one of my favorites is not just because of this crazy passage that is a lot of fun to preach – it also is because of how it pairs with this upcoming Wednesday, Ash Wednesday. Transfiguration Sunday reminds of the glory of Christ, and how incredible it is to encounter him; Ash Wednesday reminds us of how badly we need him. On Ash Wednesday we come face to face with our own limitations – our mortality and our need for grace. Ash Wednesday begins the great season of Lent, and it is a time that demonstrates to us how we need to keep growing closer towards Christ. Just as the transfiguration experience was an incredible encounter for those three disciples, Lent reminds us of how we need to continually seek incredible encounters with our savior.
This week provides two great opportunities to worship and experience the love and hope of Christ. Let us worship Sunday morning and encounter Jesus, and let us come back to the same space on Ash Wednesday, February 26th, at 6:15pm to come face to face with our need for Jesus. Let’s encounter, confess, repent and resolve together!
Also don’t forget…
· Dinner Church Continues on Thursday, February 27th – Another opportunity to worship this week will be on our 4th Thursday Dinner Church experience. Our 2nd and 4th Thursday Dinner Church experiences have settled into their regular schedule this month. Dinner Church is an informal worship (and eating) experience designed for folks that might be looking for a different kind of a church experience, and it is also a great opportunity for those that might be out on Sunday mornings for whatever reason. Dinner Church starts at 6pm on February 13th and 27ththis month. Anthony
Essentials 360 Bible Reading Plan Week of February 23d
Sunday Matthew 25
Monday Matthew 26
Tuesday Matthew 27
Wednesday Matthew 28
Thursday Romans 1
Friday Romans 2
Saturday Romans 3
Wednesday, February 26 6:15pm
Enrolling for 2019-2010 Year-- the learning train
Important Dates
Last Day School - May 22d
STEAM/Pinnacle Curriculum
Aged - 2, 3, 4 years old
Hours: 9:00 am - 12 noon
Monday - Friday
Contact Information
STEAM/Pinnacle: Julianna Davis Text (478) 442-2231
Advisory Board: Brenda Craw (478) 550-8056
Children Programs
Grades 5-12
We meet on Sunday's at 9:30 am.
We stay busy until early evening.
The Youth will be available for two (2) Sunday afternoons a month to help out with chores/projects around your home or the community. Following worship service and then lunch, they’ll be available (unless you’d like to feed them too!) to work until 5:30pm. Just call the office to select a Sunday.
Youth meet in classroom across from Seekers (near Fellowship Hall). Contact church office or Louis at louissampson4868@gmail.com
Kid Central
We are so excited on how our children's ministry continues to grow.
We always need children's Shepard - not to teach the class but be here to assist the teacher. If interested contact Jamie Hill at jamieb2013@yahoo.com, or call the church office. God bless, Jamie Hill.
Kid Central is down main hallway from Church's Admin Wing. It can also be reached off Walker Drive.
Sunday School Programs
Issues & Answers
Take a summertime excursion with the Issues & Answers class, meeting Sundays June 23rd-July 21st at 9:30, in their introduction to the Wesleyan Class Meeting format led by our Associate Pastor Kevin & Laurie Clotfelter. This is an opportunity to form small fellowships called Life Groups within our church vision to “connect” with each other. The Life Group concept is based upon the meeting format utilized early in the church renewal movement we now know as Methodism. Contact Don Hall or Kevin if you have interest or questions.
We meet on second room on the left as you enter Church's Administrative Wing
New Beginnings
We know better. We should be able to do the right thing. But often, we go against our better judgment and give in. The Corinthian Christians were no different. They had listened to one false teaching after another—and they had believed what they heard. How many lies had they accepted? How many mistakes had they made? Their list of sins is long and ugly, much like ours. But Paul had patience with the Corinthians. He was disturbed but not despondent; angry but not desperate. His driving passion for them was love, and he saw hope for them. His letter confronts them and shows them how to lead a pure life. His letter to the Corinthians encourages all of us who need a spiritual check-up.The Life Lessons with Max Lucado series brings the Bible to life in twelve lessons filled with intriguing questions, inspirational stories, and poignant reflections to take you deeper into God’s Word.
We meet in the first classroom on the left when you enter the Church's Administrative Wing.
Pilgrim Class
The Pilgrim Class continues the Wondering through the Bible. This is an in depth study done with humor and light refreshments. We have breakfast every 5th Sunday. Everyone is welcome and there is no age requirement.
We meet down the hall from Fellowship Hall.
Seekers
"The Real Heaven--What the Bible Actually Says... What comes to your mind when you think about Heaven? Clouds? Harps? Angels? Singing? Now, honestly, does that really sound like a great way to spend eternity? The good news is, that is NOT what Heaven is like. And when you discover what really awaits you there, it will radically change your view of your future and of Heaven. In this 3 part series from Living on the Edge, Chip Ingram digs into Scripture to reveal what our heavenly home will be like, what we'll do there, what we'll experience and how we're to prepare for eternity today. Join the Seekers SS Class as we discover the amazing truth of what awaits us all in Heaven"
We meet in the classroom closest to Fellowship Hall
Christian Heritage/Wesley Fellowship
Don Schall and Luis Morales co-teach this class, which alternates studying and discussing writings from contemporary authors such as Adam Hamilton, Max Lucado, Robert Jeffers, David Jeremiah, and UMC Adult Bible Studies.
Do you want to discover the answer to life's most fundamental question: What on earth am I here for? Join us as we embark on a journey to find out, using Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life. This study will help us understand why we are alive in God’s amazing plan for each one of us—both here and now, and for eternity. Knowing God’s purpose for creating us help reduce stress, focus energy, simplify decisions, give meaning to life, and most importantly, prepares us for eternity...books available.
Joins in the Old Narthex from 9:15-10:15am; conveniently set between the two services and just down the hall from the sanctuary. You will be glad you did.
Additional Programs
Dulcimer Minsitry
We meet most Thursday evenings at 7:00pm, and we love to teach new people.
Pre-School Program
Our program has been in operation for over 22 years offering children appropriate play experiences which contribute to their physical, social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual development in a safe and nurturing Christian atmosphere. We use the Pinnacle Early Childhood Curriculum which is faith-based.
Call Church Office (478) 953-3090 for details.
Quilting Ministry
“Made with loving hands, praying that God’s love will cover and comfort you like a quilt”
We meet 1st & 3rd Mondays at 10:00am
Scouting Pack 400
Boy Scout Troop 400 meets on Monday from 7:00 - 8:30 pm and Cub Scout Pack 400 meets on Thursday from 7:00 - 8:00 PM.
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