The S Word Sermon Series

Transcription

1 March 2014 Vol. 3 Issue 3 Connecting Generations to Grow Relationships with God, Others, and Creation The S Word Sermon Series Hughey Reynolds, Senior Pastor Chris Martin and I will preach a series of four sermons on a topic we do not hear much about in the world or in church beginning March 9 and concluding on March 30. We are calling the series The S Word. In 1973, world renowned psychiatrist Dr. Karl Menninger published the book Whatever Became of Sin? He noted that in modern times, one word is missing from the analysis of the world s ills, the word sin. Menninger makes a connection between sin, guilt and social ills but also psychological sickness. He says that in all our explanations of human behavior, no one sins any more. We seem to have stopped sinning about twenty-five years ago. His argument is that sin is actually very much alive and active and responsible for much that is wrong in our lives. Although for the Christian, sin does not have the last word, but sin is ultimately conquered along with death in Christ s final victory, sin actually still does exist. Sin separates human beings from God, from one another, and from creation itself. Until sin is conquered in us, it still gets the upper hand in our lives and causes havoc in our souls, relationships, world, and even in the church. We are going to use the s word during the four sermons on the topic. We will define it and identify where it comes from and where it intends to take us. We might even use the H word to talk about that. I will preach in the Orchard Service March 9 and 16 and Chris in the Morning Watch and Traditional Services. On March 23, Chris and I will co-preach in all the services. On March 30 Chris will preach in the Orchard and I in Morning Watch and Traditional. Here are the topics in The S Word series: March 9: Temptation March 16: Falling for the Lie March 23: Human Rights vs. Christian Values March 30: Repentance and Forgiveness As your pastors, we will address these important topics for one reason and one reason only, to be so faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ that you who hear the word we speak will grow stronger in your walk and witness as followers of Christ than you were before the heard the message. This is our prayer as we prepare to preach on The S Word. Inside this issue: Children s Choir Guests 2 Ash Wednesday 2 United Methodist Men 3 Jo Walton Literary Club 3 Elderberries 4 Calendar 5 Lifetree Café 6

2 Page 2 Latham Hosts Bartlett UMC Children s Choir! Chris Klaus, Minister of Music and Worship We are pleased to host the Bartlett UMC Children s Choir this Sunday, March 2 in the Orchard (8:55 am). This will be the group s second visit to Latham and the Rocket City. Based out of the metro Memphis, TN area, this 24 + voice choir has traveled regionally throughout the south and continues to delight audiences both young and old. While in Huntsville, the group will travel to several skilled nursing facilities, and visit the U.S. Space and Rocket center. Under the direction of Karen Stawhecker, music associate and organist at Bartlett UMC, this ensemble will be a great addition to our Sunday worship, AND as a bonus, our Latham Celebration Choir will be joining them on a selection as well! Get your seat early and don t miss it! Welcome New Members Barbara Lindsey Martha Moore Ash Wednesday RoseMarie Bishop Ash Wednesday, which occurs on March 5 of this year, signifies the beginning of Lent, the forty days leading to Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Originally dies cinerum, Latin for Day of Ashes, Ash Wednesday probably dates from the 8th Century, and its observance is traditional in the United Methodist Church. In the Ash Wednesday observance, members are invited to the altar to receive the imposition of ashes. The minister applies ashes in the shape of the cross on the forehead of each person and speaks the words, For dust you are and to dust you shall return, (Genesis 3:19). These are the words spoken to Adam and Eve after they had eaten of the forbidden fruit and fallen into sin. The ashes used on Ash Wednesday are made from the blessed palms used in the previous year s Palm Sunday celebration when they are placed on the altar by children. The palms are symbolic of penance and contrition. The imposition of the ashes reminds us of our mortality and our need for repentance. The shape of the cross reminds us of the good news that through Jesus Christ there is forgiveness for all sins, all guilt, and all punishment. Ash Wednesday provides an opportunity to openly acknowledge our frailty and sinfulness and prepare for the glorious season of Easter through the observance of Lent. O God, Maker of everything and judge of all that you have made, from the dust of the earth you have formed us and from the dust of death you would raise us up. By the redemptive power of the cross, create in us clean hearts and put within us a new spirit, that we may repent of our sins and lead lives worthy of your calling, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen United Methodist Hymnal, 353

3 P a ge 5 March 2014 Event and Birthday Calendar Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Every Sunday: 7:45a Band Rehearsal 5:00p Pastor s Bible Study 8:30a Morning Watch 5:00p Treehouse 8:55a Orchard Service 5:00p Women s Bible Study 10:05a Sunday School 5:00p The Culvert-Youth 11:05a Liturgical Service 5:30p Celebration Choir 2:30p Garage Band 5:30p Cherub Choir 3:30p LAMBS 6:00p Bible Study Every Monday: 8:30a Bend & Stretch 6:00p Just Faith 6:00p Praise Band Monday & Tuesday 1:00p Morris Elementary Tutoring Every Thursday: 8:30a Bend & Stretch 6:30p Lifetree Café Every Wednesday: 10:00a Ladies Bible Study 10:30a Staff Meeting 1:30p Wesley Singers 6:00p Boys Scouts 6:00p Jubilation Handbells 7:00p Ladies Bible Study 7:00p Chancel Choir 1 8a TVHA Handbell Festival 9a NA Children s Choir Festival West Duncan Bill Evans Nikki Bailes Kristie McShane Blood Pressure Checks 7a UMM Breakfast Elaine Hester Elizabeth Haley 6p Youth Pancake Dinner Frank Chrisman Dave Stone Eilene Shellman 9a Bob Ross Painting Sam Lasseter Elaine Parker Edith Pickens Jane Smith Major Snow Chuck Saari 11a Latham Ladies 4p Big House Project Kim McFadden Food Pantry Becky Clemens John Murphy Jo Walton Literary Group Theresa Nicholson 9:30a Circle 3 1:30p Circle 1 6:30p Farmer s Market Board Mtg Amanda Smith Don Bowden Matt Seikel Marvin Josey 10a Circle 5 10a InStitches 10a Elderberry Trip Paige Briggs Marsha McNeill Ben Sumrall Doug Seay Youth Discovery Weekend Susan Drennan Ramona Braswell Mark Torstenson Discovery Weekend 1p Circle 6 Joey Evans Rosemary Hastings Rae Hovik 9:30a Circle 4 6:30p Board of Stewards Mtg Linda Lee Kimmy Pugh Lynn McCarter 10a Circle 2 Andrew Wear Carly Trowbridge 10a Elderberry Board Meeting 11:30 Elderberry Luncheon Jimmy Rose Christina Mooren 11a Latham Ladies Cairenn Martin Henry Darby Abby Clausen Dan Cole Sammie Anderson 23 Tom Fleming Sandra Broughton Chris Honeycutt 24 7p Circle 7 25 Ryan McCarter 26 9:30a UMW Board Meeting 27 10a In Stitches Linda Warren Lee Hockenberry 28 Ernie Young Susan Yarbrough Roger Beck 29 Katura Stone Odessa Robinson JoAnn Blackwood 6p Health Ministry Meeting Will Papworth Grace Langhout

4 March 20th March 6th March 27th March 13th Latham United Methodist Church 109 Weatherly Road Huntsville, AL Phone: Fax: On the web: lathamumc.org Connect with the Staff Rev. Dr. Hughey Reynolds, Senior Pastor Chris Martin, Minister of Discipleship Susan Terry, Minister of Connect & Children s Ministries Richard Hall, Minister of Youth & Communications Chris Klaus, Minister of Music & Worship Marvene Borntrager, Staff Coordinator for Inreach Anita Banks, Business Administrator Traci Harris, Director of Child Development Center Cherry Keeton, Organist Joey Evans, Pianist hughey@lathamumc.org chrismartin@lathamumc.org susanterry@lathamumc.org richardhall@lathamumc.org chrisklaus@lathamumc.org office@lathamumc.org admin@lathamumc.org lathamcdc@lathamumc.org Lifetree Café Join the conversation each Thursday Night at 6:30 PM. An hour long experience is packed with interesting stories, fascinating people, and lively conversation that will feed your soul.

5 P a ge 3 Jo Walton Literary Club Amma Barnes On Monday, March 10, 2014, the Jo Walton Literary Club will be reviewing the book, GATHERING PECANS by Wimberly Watts. It is 1945 when the once-dynamic Henry Bagby returns to his Deep South roots after two years of fighting in a horrific war. From the outside, he appears to be a lucky man, but on the inside, he is broken. But as he settles back into life on his family's Alabama cotton farm, he has no idea he is about to meet a girl with a secret who will change everything. This is the story of one family's heartwarming journey through the generations, from the cotton fields of Alabama to the hills of Afganistan, as they come to the realization that there is only one true connection in life - God. The author, Wimberly Watts, grew up in Huntsville and lives here now with her husband and three children. Mrs. Watts will be facilitating our discussion, and we hope you will join us for this special occasion. For more information, contact Amma Barnes ( ) or Betty Langhout ( ). United Methodist Men Michael Gris, Secretary The Latham UMC chapter of United Methodist Men (UMM) had the February 2014 meeting / prayer breakfast on 2/2/14. President Howard Trowbridge opened the meeting with a prayer at 7 AM. Their were 27 in attendance. Following the breakfast meal, Gayle Nelson of TARCOG presented the program to the group. TARCOG helps local governments in our area improve the quality of life for the region s more than 649,000 residents. The Council provides a wide range of services especially to seniors such as annual reviews of residents personal drug usage to help avoid med conflicts, etc. They have programs suited to caregivers, etc. All of the services are in three program areas: Aging, Economic Development, and Planning and more information can be obtained at the website: if youl like to do more investigation. The next meeting will be Sunday March 2, 2014 at 7 AM. The meeting was closed in prayer. The March speaker 7AM) will be Edith Pickens. She is a Superintendent in the Huntsville school system and a Latham member. She will tell us about the new Grissom High School that is to be built in our neighborhood. The April meeting will be replaced by a Pancake Breakfast on April 5 from 7-10 AM which will be just prior to the churchwide clean-up. So, join us for some nutrition and then help with the spring clean-up! We welcome all Latham men to attend. RSVP is encouraged to any officer or UMM member. Respectfully submitted, Michael Gris mgris1@aol.com

6 P a ge 4 Celebrating Volunteers Liz Hall Zeman, Layleader for InReach It was a cold morning in January, but it was warm in the fellowship hall where the Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast was being held. Approximately fifty warm hearted folks feasted on fresh fruit, delicious carbohydrates, and hot drinks. It was our pleasure to watch these volunteers the very heart of LUMC just relax and enjoy themselves. It was our privilege to celebrate their many hours of time, effort, and abilities that allow the mission of Latham to be fulfilled. So, everyone, keep up your beautiful efforts and mark your calendars for late January 2015 for another celebration. Congregational Survey Liz Hall Zeman, Layleader for InReach In the next few weeks, members of Latham will find a survey form inside their Sunday bulletin. The purpose of the survey is to see what needs there might be within our church that Latham could help meet. We hope you will take the time to fill in the survey and return it to the church office. Elderberries Join the Elderberries at 11:30 am in Farley Hall, March 20, and enjoy a devotional, fellowship, fun, lunch and an interesting program to be presented by Kay Campbell, religion editor for The Huntsville Times. The meat and three lunch plus salad and dessert is catered by Donna Bowers. Cost is $8. Call Dot Coombe for lunch reservations if you are not on the regular calling list. Non-members of Lathcm UMC are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Bring a friend or neighbor who might enjoy the company of like-minded new friends. Save the Date! Liz Hall Zeman, Layleader of InReach This is an advance notice to please save Saturday, April 7 to help spruce up the church. Come early that day for the Methodist Men s pancake breakfast and then work off those calories getting the church grounds ready for the Easter season. More later! Mission Projects Michelle Rutherford Operation Christmas Child: March collection -- T o o t h b r u s h e s / Toothpaste. We need individually packaged toothbrushes & toothpaste for the boxes. We are also still collecting small toys like cars, tennis/baseballs, playing cards. Collection in the Welcome Center. Stock the HEALS Medicine Cabinet: Please bring new, unopened over-the-counter medicines to benefit the children served by the HEALS medical service. They provide children with free exams and care, but sometimes the parents cannot afford the cold or pain medicine their child needs. Adult & child levels of pain, cold/cough & allergy medications are all greatly appreciated. Collection in the Welcome Center.