Circuit Writer Blountstown United Methodist Church
Easter Cantata - Jesus, No Other King Make your plans to join us on Easter Sunday as the Chancel Choir presents Jesus, No Other King. Jesus, the King. Jesus, King of the Ages. Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of lords. The Royalty of Jesus— the only Son of God—the Firstborn over all creation — is woven into the very fabric of the Scriptures. He is a Lamb with the lineage of a Lion. He is a pauper with the unsearchable riches of an inexhaustible Kingdom. He is a Man with no home whose Eternal Throne rests in the Courts of Praise. He is a teacher with no formal credentials who is the Creator of all Knowledge. No one can ever lay claim to His unique station as Savior of the World. And yet, Christ Jesus … Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man. He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in Heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6-11) This is the story of our redemption. This is the story of the miracle of our moving from the bloodline of Adam to the bloodline of Christ. Only one figure in all of history could have accomplished this.
Volume 2, Issue 3 March 2016 Special points of interest:
March 13 @ 2 a.m. Daylight Savings Time Begins March 13 - 12 noon Church Council March 20 - Palm Sunday Easter Egg Hunt 12 pm March 27 - Easter Sunrise Service 6:30 am March 27 - 7 am MYF Breakfast March 27— 11:00 a.m. Easter Cantata
Inside this issue: Watch and Pray
2
Walking the Faith
3
Our Caring Ministry 4 Calendar
This is His story… Jesus, No Other King!
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Circuit Writer
Watch and Pray Have you ever felt like your back was against the wall with nowhere to turn? The Israelites must have felt that way during the Exodus. For four centuries they had been in Egypt. God’s chosen people, those descendents of Father Abraham, had been slaves. God had promised Abraham in Genesis 12 that Abraham would be the “father of many nations,” with a special people and a special land to call their own. Yet, for generations, the Israelites served in a foreign land as slaves wondering, “When will our time come?” The time finally came as God sent Moses to lead his people, and the plagues fell upon Egypt. The people gathered all they had because they were leaving for good, and never coming back to Egypt. God had told them that “not one hoof” should be left behind. With their backs turned toward their old life, they ventured out for the Promised Land. Then they experienced a challenge of faith. Pharaoh decided to chase them down and kill them. Behind them were the armies of Egypt and before them was the Red Sea—a blockade in their path. They turned on their leader, Moses, “Did you bring us here so we could die?” Their hope turned to doubt and their faith turned to fear. It seemed there was no place to go and their end was near. Gone were the promises made to Abraham. There would be no land, no life, no people, only death and no remembrance they ever existed. That’s not how the story ends, though! God showed them otherwise. God always keeps his promise! God shows us through their experience that we can have hope regardless of how grim our situation looks. God is the unimaginable: he separated the waters, creating a passageway that allowed the people to cross, while crushing the Egyptian army as they pursued the people. Usually when our back is against the wall (or against Pharaoh’s army, as it was in their case), this is when we see God at work, and this is when the miraculous is realized. The New Testament reality of this is captured in Jesus’ words to Paul: “My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Easter is a message of hope. It is a message of good news: God brings the dead back to life! If that doesn't generate hope in us, nothing will. This is a season we remember we are weak and God is strong. We are called to trust God, and though our circumstances look impossible, nothing is impossible with God. Jesus died on Good Friday. The disciples dispersed and left. Their backs were against the wall, and they were scared. “What now?” That’s a question we all ask when things look bad. “What now?” We watch and pray. After all, that’s what Jesus told the disciples to do before the betrayal, the trails, and the crucifixion: “Watch and pray.” When your situation looks grim, watch and pray, “cause you ain’t seen nothing yet.” There is good in the midst of the bad. Stop doubting and start believing. I promise you God will be present in the details. Fear will dissipate and your faith will grow. He will work the miraculous, and as you pray, you will see his will done in you. This Easter, I invite you to “Come and see where the Lord Lay.” I invite you to see the empty tomb, and trust God that the best is yet to come! God Keeps His Word. With You on the Journey, Nick Hughes
Volume 2, Issue 3
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Walking the Faith As spring buds and temperatures rise, it’s fun to get outside and walk. Walking is great for both body and mind. “To solve a problem, walk around,” advised St. Jerome. Naturalist Henry David Thoreau agreed, saying, “The moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow.” Indeed, walking has been linked to improved creativity and reduced anxiety. Some Bible versions translate Ephesians 5:8 “Live as children of light,” while others use “walk”: “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (NKJV). What a great rendering! Living is something we often do passively and without much thought, while walking is an intentional, active pursuit; we must choose when, where and how we do it. Now that we’re children of light - newly alive springtime people, Easter people! - Jesus urges us to not just live the faith but to walk it. When our faith becomes active, thoughts flow, anxiety decrease and we make strides in our relationship with Jesus. - Heidi Mann
The Children Council will be having an Easter Egg Hunt on Join us on March 24 at Palm Sunday following the morning worship service. Watch 6:00 p.m. for our Maundy Thursday Service. for more details as March 20th approaches.
Our Sunrise Service will be at 6:30 a.m. with the MYF Breakfast following the service.
Easter Possibilities The message of Easter is not only that Christ is risen, not only that suffering is not the last word, not only that God gives new life, but this: Nothing is impossible with God. - Rev. James Martin, S.J.
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Circuit Writer
Our Caring Ministry Short Term Concerns Joe Alford Brian Barfield Greg Burgess Sandra Goodman Parker Griffin Sybil Halley Bette Martin Clinton Mears Gary Piotrowski Cilfford (Kip) Pitman Tim Smith Dewey Stephens James Tucker Ongoing Intercession Cindy Barfield Cheri Bracewell Virginia Burgess Larry Carter Murel Cissell Copeland Family Billy Faurot
Bill Finlay Don Griffin Quentin Henderson Virgil Herndon Jim Kearce Caralleen Kitchens Vivian Lewis Johnny Manor Erin McClellan Helen McCowen Dollie Meadors Max Metzger Kay Mihlethaler Evelyn Mickler Charollett Montford Tommy Montford Lisa Osborne Jerry Shields Michael Stewart Johnny Williams Tommy Williams Susan Wright
Those Battling Cancer Greg Carpenter Susan Carter Kelli Peacock Dunn Lessie Edwards Katrina Grantham Bobby Griffin Pete Griffin Jeff Harris Nola Heath Richard Heath Janet Kent Madison Marshall Gary Richards Harry Taylor Donna Tew Susan Warren Gary Whitfield Susan Willis Terry Wood Bobbie Wyrick
Flower Calendar
6 Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Register 13 Mr. & Mrs. Laddie Williams 20 Mrs. Alice Nelle Leonard 27 Mrs. Mary Ellen Porter
Our Shut-Ins Thelma Fant Burrel Sumner Kathryn Tucker Estelle Vickery Joe Webb Dot Whitfield Our Military Aaron Young Persecuted Christians UM Missionaries Please help us keep this ministry active by informing the office of any updates and/or changes.
The youth are taking orders for Easter Lilies. The orders should be placed before March 14.
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Volume 2, Issue 3 ays esd n d F We MY ir / o h . C p.m 0 3 : 5
Sunday
TOP S Thur sday s 6 p.m .
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Communion Easter Sunday 1 Pam Hand Sunrise Service Cathy Kimbrel @ 6:30 am followed by Offering Scholarship MYF Breakfast Cantata Ministerial @11 am Fund
2
6
9
7 Amanda McGhee
3
Friday
4
Lenten Study @ 10
Saturday
5
♪Montez
♪ Gail McCaskill
Golden
♪ Roger Williams
♪Porter Smith
8 Sister Friends
♥ Perry &
Thursday
10
♪Bill Finlay
11
12
Lenten Study @ 10
9 a.m.
♪ Pam Hand 14
15
Sister Friends
13 Church Council 12 noon
♥ Jimmy & Peggy Cox
UMW 10 a.m.
22
23
Sister Friends
Egg Hunt 12 noon
McGhee Pam Hand
28
Easter ♪ Virginia Williams
Maundy Thursday Service
♥Ronnie &
Kastli
29
30
18
19
25
26
Lenten Study @ 10
24 ♪ Jaden
9 a.m.
♪ Laurie
27
17
9 a.m.
21
20
16
♪ Laurie
♪ Mary
McClellan James
Flowers
6 pm
Bateman
♪ Jo Johnson
31
♪ Wynelle
Ushers
Acolyte
Gary Parrish Henry McCroan
Kinsey Register
Stand-by Laddie
Blountstown United Methodist Church Post Office Box 299 Blountstown, FL 32424 Phone: 850-674-8254 E-mail:
[email protected] Website: blountstownumc.org
The purpose of Blountstown United Methodist Church is to glorify God by bringing lost people to saving faith and assisting them in becoming spiritually mature Christ–followers.
Contact us @
[email protected]
Pray For These Families 1.
Richard Leath / Alice Nelle Leonard
12. Joyce Peacock / Michelle Pettis Family
23. Kathryn Tucker / Helen Van Lierop
2.
Alva & Wade Martin / Bonnie Fagen Mayo Family
13. Clifford (Kip) Pitman Family / Mary Ellen Porter
24. Susan Veasey / Estelle Vickery
3.
Sally & Mike Mayo / Gail & Joe Mike McCaskill
14. Jerry Register Family / Irma Riley
25. Ann Weiler / Janis & Jack Weiler
4.
Carolyn McClellan / Danita & Glen McClellan
15. Susan & Raymond Russell / Diane & Russell Scholz
26. Joe Webb / Cherie White Family
5.
Hentz McClellan Family / Kyle McClellan Family
16. Shelia Shelton / Ken Sheppard Family
27. Dot Whitfield / Doug Whitfield Family
6.
Mandy & Heath McClellan / Sharon & Henry McCroan
17. Stacy Sims / Brittany Smith Family
28. Jesse & Drew Whitfield / Steve Whitfield Family
7.
Perry McGhee Family / Kathryn McMillan
18. Rodney Smith Family / Fran Snyder /
29. Marvin Williams / Mary Ann & Tommy Williams
8.
Theresa Merchant / Max & Janette Metzger
19. Becki & Donald Stanley / Sue & Don Stanley
30. Roger Williams Family / Virginia & Laddie Williams
9.
Phyllis & Frank Miller / Bob Minnick
20. Mert & Don Stephens / Scott Stephens Family
31. Constance Williford / James Williford
10. Betty & Ronnie Montford / Karen & David Murrell
21. Burrel Sumner / Virginia House Szrowicz
11. Gary Parrish / Brenda Parrish
22. Chris & John Tomlinson / Ann & Mike Tucker