“Thinking of Others Differently”
I heard a moving story recently about a young man that has overcome being both bullied and being a bully himself. As a young child he was bullied for being overweight, but in high school he became a star football player because of his size, and it led to him bullying others. This included bullying his sister for her weight, which caused her to retreat into having an eating disorder. When that eating disorder finally hospitalized her, he feared that she would never forgive him for the way he had treated her. Instead she responded by saying, “I still love you” when he went to go see her at the hospital. This simple act of love and grace changed him and set him on a course of action to be different in the way he treated others.
The experiences we have with those closest to us will often have the biggest impact on our lives. Sometimes these experiences are wholesome, and other times they leave us feeling empty and broken inside. What do we do when our relationships are broken, leaving us feeling beaten and battered? We have the choice to deepen the divide, or to seek wholeness. Wholeness is a journey, and perhaps the starting point of that journey is when we start to think of others differently and see them for who they truly are in God’s eyes. I think that is what the sister did – she saw her brother differently than how he had acted, and her graceful view started to change him and ultimately began to make both of them whole.
As we continue “Be Different” this week, we are going to talk about how we see others. As we take steps of seeing and thinking differently others, our hope is that it will change not only us, but also them and ultimately the world around us. Let’s continue to be different together, and seek to be whole as well!
A Few Ongoing and Upcoming Items of Interest:
· Wednesday Night Studies – For 1st and 3rd Wednesdays in February and March, Kevin and I will each be leading studies during the study time of Wednesday night programming. Kevin will be leading a group through the book "Nearing Home" by Billy Graham, a book about finishing life well. I will be leading a study on John Wesley's means of grace, and for those that want to read along you can use the book "Means of Grace" by Andrew Thompson. Contact Kevin either in person or via email at kevinclotfelter@windstream.net to reserve a copy of either book. Both groups kicked off on February 5th, but you can still jump in when we continue on February 19th!
· Dinner Church Continues – Our 2nd and 4th Thursday Dinner Church experiences settle into their regular schedule in February. 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.
· Ash Wednesday on February 26that 6:15pm– Ash Wednesday is one of my favorite worship services of the year, as it begins the season of Lent with a powerful time of reflection and preparation. Be sure to join us in the Sanctuary on the last Wednesday of this month for a great meditative service! Anthony
Essentials 360 Bible Reading Plan Week of February 16th
Sunday............... Matthew 18
Monday ............. Matthew 19
Tuesday ............. Matthew 20
Wednesday........ Matthew 21
Thursday............ Matthew 22
Friday ................. Matthew 23
Saturday ............ Matthew 24
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.
A hands-on, pounds-off approach to weight loss®
TOPS doesn't pay celebrities to endorse us, and we don't promise quick fixes or promote unrealistic images of the "perfect" body. Instead we focus on health.
TOPS can't do the work for you. You only get out of TOPS what you put into it. We can't guarantee weight loss just by attending meetings, but we can offer support through each stage of the journey, including after you reach your goal weight. Click Here for more information