The Scroll a Wesley: T HE S CROLL Who Knew?

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Scroll a Wesley: T HE S CROLL Who Knew? SHARON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH NOVEMBER.DECEMBER.2016 V OLUME 4. ISSUE 6 The Scroll A Wesley: T HE S CROLL Who knew? Charles Wesley, younger brother of John was by all accounts a prolific composer. Depending on what site you are looking at, he composed from 100’s of hymns to over 7000. Somewhere in the middle lies the truth. Charles was born December 18, 1707, and was the eighteenth child of Samuel and Susanna. Despite their closeness, Charles and his brother John did not always agree on questions related to their beliefs. Charles was strongly op- posed to the idea of a breach with the Church of England into which they had both been or- dained. Charles experienced his conversion on May 21, 1738 followed by John’s conver- sion a few days later. He began his hymn writing in 1739. There are 150 hymns that are included in the Methodist hymn book Hymns and Praise published in New York and Chicago in 1892, and his hymns are largely notable for being interpretations of Scripture. The 24th of May 2007 was celebrated as the tercentenary of Wesley's birth, with many celebratory events held throughout England, even though Wesley was in fact born in December 1707. The date of May 24th is known to United Methodists as "Aldersgate Day" and commemo- rates the spiritual awakening of first Charles and then John Wesley. In 1995 The Gospel Music Academy recognized his accomplishments by listing his name in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. What is your favorite Wesley hymn? To name a few: O For a Thousand Tongues; Come Thou Long Expected Jesus; Love Devine, All Love’s Excelling; Ye Servants of God; Jesus Lover of My Soul; A Charge to Keep Have I; Christ From Whom All Blessings Flow. And the favorite of Christmas Carols, Hark The Herald Angels Sing The hymn was composed originally as a Hymn for Christmas -Day and included in the 1739 John Wesley collection of Hymns and Sacred Poems and was based on the scripture from Luke 2:14 In 1855 William H. Cummings, British musician, adapted Charles’ words to Felix Mendelssohn’s secular music from Festgesang . Charles himself heard the words sung to the music of his Easter Song, Christ The Lord is Risen Today. What ever the changes that have affected this piece through the years, it without question never fails to lift the heart and the spirit when it is sung. Luke 2:132:13----1414 “14 “ At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him . “ from The Message translation Submitted by Beth Cheffer PAGE 2 VOLUME 4. ISSUE 6 In Connection - UMCOR at work In this last quarter of 2016, UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) contin- ues to be in mission around the world: Potable Water in Iraq: More than 3.2 million people are currently displaced from their homes because of violence in Iraq. Of that total, about one third are living in un- safe, unsuitable shelters, where access to clean drinking water and basic hygiene supplies is severely limited. A recent grant from UMCOR to Globalmedic allowed the charity to dis- tribute family emergency kits to 1,087 families (some 5,447 individuals) in the camp. Kits included a Rainfresh household water -purification unit, two tubes of toothpaste, and 12 bars of soap. GlobalMedic also delivered 90 winterization kits to vulnerable persons in the camp . Help on the Home Front: Nearly $2 million for disaster response funding for flooding in four U.S. states was approved during the annual fall board meeting of the United Methodist Committee on Relief. The states of Louisiana, West Virginia, Texas and Missis sippi are continuing to work with local resources and UMCOR as they repair their lives from the flooding. Hurricane Matthew: The provision of emergency supplies, food, health kits, and other assistance builds on UMCOR’s sustained presence in Haiti, work that has contin- ued since the disastrous earthquake in January 2010. More than 500 deaths in Haiti have been attributed to Hurricane Matthew, with the greatest loss and storm damage in the southern region. When desiring to make donations to organizations like UMCOR, or to communities in need from disaster keep these guidelines in mind as suggested by UMCOR: DONATE UMCOR RELIEF-SUPPLY KITS, not supplies such as bottled water , Relief-supply kits answer a need for disaster survivors while, at the same time, offering an important con- nection for the giver DONATE STUFFED (WITH CASH) ENVELOPES, not stuffed animals , Thinking of children in the wake of a disaster is a great gesture of compassion, but stuffed animals too often pile up in churches so quickly they take over closets, pews and even entire warehouses DONATE CLEANUP, not clothing , Used clothing is the most oft-given inappropriate dona- tion. Responders call used clothing “the second disaster.” DONATE PRAYERS, not parts of toasters, cars, or furniture ,Christ's directive to do unto others as we would have them do unto us, should remind us that if we were survivors of dis- asters ourselves we would probably not want to receive someone's discarded items, but be given as much choice as possible. PAGE 3 VOLUME 4. ISSUE 6 9 Jimmy B 1 Jazmine N 13 Jim J 3 Hannah M 14 Jeremiah L LJ B 27 Caleb N 6 Gabriella L 28 Amber K 11 Tiffanie N 29 Caylee L 18 Melissa H 21 Brandi T 22 Olivia K 27 Bruce P 12 Joe and D M 15 Gary and Robin C 19 Amber and Matt K -P 29 Hugh and Judy Z 21 Al and Karin O Young Eun and Seung Hee C 28 Kim and Chris M PAGE 4 VOLUME 4. ISSUE 6 HISTORY OF THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS BY LINDA KEENE Fish are mentioned and given symbolic mean- ing many times in the Gospels. Several of Jesus’ twelve Apostles were fishermen. He commissioned them with the words "I will make you fishers of men”. Christ fed the 5,000 with 2 fishes and 5 loaves. Water baptism, practiced by immersion in the early church, created a parallel between fish and converts. Greeks, Romans, and many other pagans used the fish symbol before Christians. So the fish attracted little suspicion, making it a perfect secret symbol for persecuted believers. During their perse- cution by the Roman Empire in the first few centuries after Christ, early Christians succeeded in transforming an already powerful symbol, a fish, into a way Christians could identify themselves to each other without either the government or the religious leaders recognizing them. Christians used the fish symbol to mark meeting places and tombs or to distinguish friends from foes. When an early Christian met a stranger in the road, the Christian some- times drew one arc of the simple fish outline in the dirt. If the stranger drew the other arc, both believers knew the other was a follower and baptized believer of Jesus Christ. Now known as the "sign of the fish" or the "Jesus fish", it is a well -recognized symbol consisting of two curved lines that resemble the image of a fish. The symbol is also known as an Ichthys, coming from the ancient Greek word for fish. This “Fishers of Men” window was given in memory of Pauline Keene by the Keene family. Pauline lived by her Christian standards and was a great influence and role model for all who met her. She was active in the Baptist church, a Sunday School teacher, faithful in her attendance. In the Heritage in Stained Glass booklet Ruth Keene wrote, “Pauline had an unsurpassed love for missions and her zeal had an impact on the world, especially in New Guinea”. All who went to visit her in the nursing home came away blessed and encour- aged instead of Just the other way around! Mark 1:17 “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.” Mark 16:15 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel” Linda Keene, Historian PAGE 5 VOLUME 4. ISSUE 6 YES - CHRISTMAS IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER ! Combined event on Saturday December 17th: Cookie plate preparation and Ladies brunch in Fellowship Hall. Bring your cookies for the Cookie Sale the next day and stay for some brunch, some candy making and some fellowship. We’ll gather at 9:30. A flyer will come out soon with all the important details. December 18th - Cookie Plates for sale during Fellowship time December 24th - Christmas Eve Services at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. December 31st - Early Bird New Year’s Eve potluck 5 to 7 - what will this year bring? Stay tuned. 8 cups whole milk 1/4 cup pure maple syrup 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar 3 teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 cinnamon scks pinch cloves 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg 3 1/2 cups strongly brewed coffee or espresso whipped cream, graham cracker crumbs, caramel sauce, and gingerbread cookies for garnish (oponal) Slow Cooker Gingerbread Add all ingredients to a large slow cooker. Latte Cook on low for 3 hours or unl heated through. Monitor to make sure it doesn't boil. Serves Turn slow cooker to warm seng and cook for another 2 hours, srring 6-8 occasionally. Sr again right before serving and taste. Dip rims of cups in caramel sauce and then in graham cracker crumbs to create the look above (oponal). Top with fresh whipped cream and caramel syrup if desired.
Recommended publications
  • Reconnecting with the Flame
    1 “A MOVEMENT BORN IN FIRE” (Pentecost/Aldersgate Day) Acts 2:1-21 Today is a very special day. Today is May 24, which is Aldersgate Day – a very important day for us United Methodists. Today is also Pentecost, the fiftieth day after Easter, the day when God poured out the Holy Spirit on the early church. It’s a rare and exciting occasion when both of those things happen on the same day. Pentecost is the birthday of the church. Aldersgate Day could be considered the birthday of Methodism. The common theme between both of those events is FIRE. On the day of Pentecost, the first Christians were huddled together in a room praying. And all of a sudden they heard the sound of a rushing wind. And they saw tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. And the next thing they knew they were out in the streets proclaiming the good news in languages they had never learned. Pentecost is the day the Holy Spirit came in fire. And throughout the Scriptures, FIRE is a sign of the presence of God: o God spoke to Moses through a bush that was on FIRE. o God led his people through the desert in a pillar of FIRE. o When God gave the Ten Commandments, Mt. Sinai was on FIRE. o When Solomon’s temple was dedicated, the presence of God was manifested in FIRE. o When Elijah faced the prophets of Baal on Mt Carmel, the Lord consumed his offering in FIRE. o When John the Baptist came preaching in the desert, he said, “The One who comes after me will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with FIRE.” Fire is a sign of the presence of God.
    [Show full text]
  • The Book of Discipline
    THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH “The Book Editor, the Secretary of the General Conference, the Publisher of The United Methodist Church and the Committee on Correlation and Editorial Revision shall be charged with edit- ing the Book of Discipline. The editors, in the exercise of their judgment, shall have the authority to make changes in wording as may be necessary to harmonize legislation without changing its substance. The editors, in consultation with the Judicial Coun- cil, shall also have authority to delete provisions of the Book of Discipline that have been ruled unconstitutional by the Judicial Council.” — Plan of Organization and Rules of Order of the General Confer- ence, 2016 See Judicial Council Decision 96, which declares the Discipline to be a book of law. Errata can be found at Cokesbury.com, word search for Errata. L. Fitzgerald Reist Secretary of the General Conference Brian K. Milford President and Publisher Book Editor of The United Methodist Church Brian O. Sigmon Managing Editor The Committee on Correlation and Editorial Revision Naomi G. Bartle, Co-chair Robert Burkhart, Co-chair Maidstone Mulenga, Secretary Melissa Drake Paul Fleck Karen Ristine Dianne Wilkinson Brian Williams Alternates: Susan Hunn Beth Rambikur THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2016 The United Methodist Publishing House Nashville, Tennessee Copyright © 2016 The United Methodist Publishing House. All rights reserved. United Methodist churches and other official United Methodist bodies may re- produce up to 1,000 words from this publication, provided the following notice appears with the excerpted material: “From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church—2016.
    [Show full text]
  • Address Service Requested Time Value Material TRINITY CHIMES
    Trinity United Methodist Church Address Service Requested Non-Profit Organization 601 Milwaukee Street US POSTAGE PAID Time Value Material Charles City, IA 50616 Charles City, IA 50616 PERMIT #154 Office phone: 641-228-5368 Email: [email protected] Website: www.trinity50616.com TRINITY CHIMES May 2019 Senior Recognition Sunday Sunday, May 19, 2019 9:00 am Join us as we award scholarships and recognize The Church offices will be closed on our graduating Seniors during the worship Monday, May 27th in service. Reception to follow in Wesley Hall. honor of Memorial Day This year we have 3 seniors graduating, they are: Celeste Kellogg Wyatt Stevenson Kaitlyn Marty TRINITY CHIMES NEWSLETTER TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH May 2019 In my 2019 Official United Methodist Program Calendar it has listed Friday, May 24 as “Aldersgate Day”. For those who know a little bit about Methodist history you will recognize that May 24, 1738 holds much signifi- cance for everyone who has planted themselves in the Wesleyan/Methodist church tradition. Aldersgate Day is celebrated on May 24 to commemorate the day in 1738 when John Wesley experienced assurance of his salvation. Wesley, who was struggling mightily with his faith and his calling, reluctantly attended a Bible study group meeting that evening on Aldersgate Street in London. As he heard a reading from Martin Luther's Preface to the Epistle to the Romans, he felt his "heart strangely warmed." Wesley wrote in his journal that at about 8:45 p.m. "while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed.
    [Show full text]
  • THEME: Wake up Your Dreams
    “The Aldersgate Experience: belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong A Heart Strangely Warmed” to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed A sermon by Pastor Steve Easterday-McPadden you from the power of sin that leads to death. for First UMC, Grand Junction, Sunday, May 24, 2020 • I came across a very well-done video from UM This sermon can be listened to on the FUMCGJ Communications that sheds some light not only on website: www.fumcgj.org/media/ the significance of this event in John Wesley’s life Scripture Text: Romans 8:1-3, 38-39 [NLT] but also on its importance to us as United Methodists, as well. Take a look… OPENING (*https://www.umc.org/en/content/how-aldersgate- changed-john-wesley.*) • Corey/Charlotte set the reading of the Scripture text up with a reference to Martin Luther’s Preface SERMON THOUGHTS to the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans because of its significance to John Wesley’s journey in faith. • Church of England and its “triad” (“three-legged stool”) – its significance for John Wesley, a On this date, May 24th, 282 years ago, Wesley clergyman in the Church of England. reflected in his journal on what could be described ✓ Scripture as the most profound spiritual experience in his ✓ Tradition life. Let me share his words with you: ✓ Reason In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading [Martin] • Wesley’s profound experience of God in his life Luther's “Preface to the Epistle to the Romans”.
    [Show full text]
  • George Whitefield & John Wesley
    culture John Martin & Silas Anderson look at the architects of the 18th century transatlantic ‘great awakening’ HEROES 18: george Whitefield & John Wesley george Whitefield: being interested in the ‘I will not be a velvet-mouthed subject, one could not preacher’ help being pleased with the discourse: a pleasure eorge Whitefield of much the same kind (1714-80) was cross- with that received from an g eyed. Some saw it excellent piece of music.’ 3 as a mark of divine favour. franklin once conducted Whitefield, undoubtedly an experiment: he could the greatest preacher of distinctly hear what the 18th century ‘great Whitefield was saying from awakening’, used his squint a distance of 500 feet to enthral huge crowds. He from the preacher’s also used his voice, which podium in Market Street was so full of expression philadelphia. that people wept just hearing him speak of preaching style ‘Mesopotamia.’ 1 It may come as no He preached an estimated surprise, then, that 18,000 times and his Whitefield came under listeners totalled much criticism for being 10,000,000; he would preach for an hour, often unhelpfully emotive in his preaching. a listener four times a day. He could be heard by crowds from Scotland observed that he spoke with ‘such numbering as many as 30,000. as well as being vehemence upon his bodily frame’ that those instrumental in the american ‘great awakening’, listening ‘felt a momentary apprehension even for historians today agree he was influential in the his life’. 4 In reality Whitefield simply spoke as if people of the disparate ‘new World’ colonies what he was saying was entirely real to him.
    [Show full text]
  • May 24, 2020 No
    (USPS # 552680) Published weekly except Christmas by St. Luke UMC 1104 Second Ave.; Columbus, GA 31901 Postmaster: Send address changes to St. Luke UMC P.O. Box 867; Columbus, GA 31902 Telephone (706) 327-4343 • Fax (706) 327-4345 Ministry Center (706) 256-1017 Prayer Room (706) 327-4078 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.stlukeum.com www.facebook.com/stlukeum MAY 24TH THE 282ND ANNIVERSARY OF ALDERSGATE DAY IN METHODISM JOHN WESLEY’S ACCOUNT OF ALDERSGATE “In the evening, I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s Preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death. “I began to pray with all my might for those who had in a more especial manner despitefully used me and persecuted me. I then testified openly to all there what I now first felt in my heart. But it was not long before the enemy suggested, ‘This cannot be faith, for where is thy joy?’ Then was I taught that ‘peace and victory over sin are essential to faith in the Captain of our salvation but that, as to the transports of joy -- that usually attend the beginning of it especially those who have mourned deeply -- God sometimes giveth, sometimes withholdest them, according to the counsels of his own will.’ “After my return home, I was much buffeted with temptations, but cried out and they fled away.
    [Show full text]
  • St. Matthew's Good News Update
    ST. MATTHEW’S GOOD NEWS UPDATE May 21, 2017 Welcome to our summer intern . Ugochi Ibekwe, our 24-year-old ministerial intern, is a senior at Prairie View A&M in Hempstead, TX. She is majoring in Chemistry, is a member of the Wesley foundation on campus, and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor So- ciety. Praises go out to Colleen Roberts and her family, as they will open their home to Ugochi while she is here. A big thanks to Johnny and Janet Jedkins and Greg and Laurie Pitzer for joining the Lay Encouragement Team. We need one more person to serve on this team. What else can we do for Ugochi during her stay? Let us know how you can help! TODAY IS HERITAGE SUNDAY Heritage Sunday is set aside for remembering our legacy as United Methodists. The day provides an opportunity for reflection on heritage, celebration of where the Church has been, how it understands itself as it shapes us to- day, and the meaning of Christian conferencing. Heritage Sunday calls the Church to remember the past by com- mitting itself to the continuing call of God. Read about the history of St. Matthew’s on our webpage at http://www.stmatthewsmethodist.org/history.html. WHAT IS ALDERSGATE DAY? Aldersgate Day is celebrated on May 24 (or the Sunday closest) to commemorate the day in 1738 when John Wesley experienced assurance of his salvation. Wesley reluctantly attended a group meeting that evening on Aldersgate Street in Lon- don. As he heard a reading from Luther's Preface to the Epistle to the Romans, he felt his "heart strangely warmed." Wesley wrote in his journal that at about 8:45 p.m.
    [Show full text]
  • Messenger a PUBLICATION of FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH May 19, 2019 P
    April 24, 2019 Vol. 46 No. 17 Messenger A PUBLICATION OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH May 19, 2019 P. O. BOX 444, YAZOO CITY, MS 39194 Vol. 46 No. 20 Aldersgate Day May 24th is an important day for Methodists. At a society meeting on Aldersgate Street on May 24, 1738, something happened that changed the nature of Methodism. At Aldersgate, John Wesley had an experience which altered the shape of his entire ministry. The Holy Spirit performed His miracle that night. John Wesley described that event by saying “My heart was strangely warmed.” Though Wesley was already a 35 year-old ordained priest in the Church of England, he marked this as the day of his true Christian conversion. And afterward, he began preaching that everyone should experience God’s grace in this way. This was the beginning of the Methodist revival that eventually gave birth to our own United Methodist Church today. In a sense, May 24th is the birthday of Methodism. THIS WEEKS CALENDAR SUNDAY, MAY 19 9:00 a.m. Come AZ U R Service 9:50 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Traditional Service 5:00 p.m. Youth/Home of De & Julie Paul MONDAY, MAY 20 9-12 noon Methodist Market WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 5:30 p.m. In the Hands of God/Prayer Meeting Junior Harvey 6:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Janice Middleton SATURDAY, MAY 25 Charlotte Helton 9-12 noon Methodist Market Janice Middleton Roger Lyles M/M Charles Davis Sue Parker M/M Charles Davis Judy Miller Janice Middleton Macel Gary Simmons M/M Chares Davis M/M Jim Green Helen Hendrix D/M David Arnold 19.
    [Show full text]
  • Methodist Doctrine, People Are Saved “By Faith Only.” What Does James 2: 24 Have to Say About That?
    THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST SPREADING THE SOUL-SAVING MESSAGE OF JESUS ANSWERING DENOMINATIONAL DOCTRINES “Methodist Church” Introduction by narrator accompanied by a cappella singing: THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. Spreading the soul-saving message of Jesus. And now, Ben Bailey. “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (Jas. 2:24). Wel- come to our study of Answering Denominational Doctrines. In this series of lessons we have been upholding the Word of God as “all truth” (Ps. 119:160), and as God’s inspired reve- lation on all matters (2 Pet. 1:3). In view of that, we have been examining the doctrines and teachings of men and groups to see if what those men or groups say is in accordance with the teaching of the New Testament. In today’s lesson we are going to examine some of the doctrines of the Methodist religion to see if they are true to the teaching of the New Testament. Is what John Wesley and others taught what is taught in the New Testament? Can we be followers of Methodism or John Wesley and be right with God? We first need to understand that the Methodist church is not the church about which we read in the New Testament. How do we know that? The Methodist Church began in the year 1739. The New Testament church started on the Day of Pentecost in the first century. In Daniel 2:44 the Scriptures prophesied and promised that during the “days of these kings” God would establish His eternal kingdom.
    [Show full text]
  • Living the Methodist Way “I FELT MY HEART STRANGELY WARMED”
    May 24, 2015 Revival: Living the Methodist Way “I FELT MY HEART STRANGELY WARMED” Rev. Laurie Haller First United Methodist Church Birmingham, Michigan Scripture: Romans 5:1-8 There is a story, perhaps even fictional, but part of the lore that surrounded the life of Andrew Carnegie. He began his business life with little money but amassed a huge fortune. By the time he was at middle age, Carnegie stayed pretty much to himself and traveled in his own private railroad car. He carried with him a servant, who served as valet. When Carnegie boarded his train in the evening, he would light up a cigar, pick up the newspaper and begin to read. He instructed his valet that he was not to be disturbed, and no conversation would take place unless he initiated it. One evening, just as he had settled in with his paper and cigar, Carnegie’s servant approached rather timidly and interrupted him. Carnegie said, “Is the train on fire?” He was told it was not, so Carnegie asked the servant to be quiet. However, the servant persisted and urged him to get off the car. Carnegie was furious and demanded to know what, in fact, was wrong with his railroad car, the finest money could buy. The servant replied, “There ain’t nothing wrong with this car, sir. It just ain’t tied to nothing.” So many of us today don’t want to be tied to anything. We hesitate to commit ourselves. We don’t want to make promises. We want to keep our options open.
    [Show full text]
  • Seasonal Journal Pentecost / Ordinary Time / Christ the King Sunday June 9-November 24, 2019
    Seasonal Journal Pentecost / Ordinary Time / Christ the King Sunday June 9-November 24, 2019 “Pentecost: True Spiritual Unity and Fellowship in the Holy Spirit” by Rebecca Brogan Grace and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Colorado Springs, CO Mission: To accept God’s grace and bear witness to His grace in the world 1 On the cover: “Pentecost: True Spiritual Unity and Fellowship in The Holy Spirit”: Rebecca Brogan, the artist who created the wonderful drawing, reports that from left to right the celebrants’ ethnicities are Northern European, Australian Aboriginal, Hispanic, Russian/Western Asian, South American, Middle Eastern (modeled after the original Christians who received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2), African, Pacific Islander, South Asian, Native North American, East Asian, and Mediterranean European. You can see more of Rebecca’s Christian-themed art at John the Baptist Artworks online. Table of Contents The Liturgical Season 3 by Joan Ray A Pentecost Poem: Gerard Manley Hopkins’ “God’s Grandeur” 4 by Joan Ray Pentecost: A Lesson in Active Listening 7 by The Rt. Rev. Larry Benfield Pentecost: Leap of Faith 9 by The Rev. Tim Schenck Trinity Sunday 11 by The Rev. Rainey G. Dankel Ordinary Time: The Green Season 13 by The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson The Not So “Ordinary” Time 14 by The Rev. Denise Vaughn The Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary 16 by The Rev. Jen Williamson “Fear Not”: A Sermon for Christ the King Sunday 17 by The Rev. Lonnie Lacy A “Heart Strangely Warmed” 19 by David Margiotta Walking with the Mystics:
    [Show full text]
  • 052420 Sermon
    John Louk 2 Peter 1:1-4 The Almost Chris.an Series: It’s a Brave New World (Aldersgate Day) Easter 7 May 24, 2020 2 Peter 1:1-4 Today is Aldersgate Day. On this day in 1738, John Wesley Major Claim felt his heart “strangely warmed.” His brother Charles had his own Upon Our Lives: conversion just three days before John’s. Together their changed lives gave UnVl one has experienced rise to a worldwide movement. This is considered one of the 100 most personal, hearfelt assurance of salvaVon, one is only an important events in ChrisVan history and especially important for us in the “almost ChrisVan” Methodist tradiVon. Our scripture today was read by John that decisive day. He opened his Bible at about five in the morning and came across these words. ☩ Introduc1on We live in what’s becoming a brave new world. Even in the midst of all the change and danger, a world of possibility awaits. We embark on a new adventure, going forth into this brave new world as the visible community of Jesus, showing the world what it means to be the world that God intended in creaon. As ChrisVans, we share in the koinonia fellowship we’re invited into as a community, acVvely caring for one another. In the midst of the difficulVes we encounter, we keep eyes on Jesus. Our goal is to interject Jesus into the conversaVons around us in the world. We keep moving forward rather than living off the past. But do you ever wonder or struggle if you’re really a ChrisVan? This is the story of John Wesley and his struggle with being an “almost ChrisVan.” The Story John’s father, Samuel, was a clergyman in the Church of England in Epworth.
    [Show full text]