August 2016 The Moravian Messenger. Rural Hall Moravian Church Newsletter

Transcription

1 August 2016 The Moravian Messenger Rural Hall Moravian Church Newsletter Address: P.O. Bos Broad Street Rural Hall, NC Phone: (336) Fax: (336) Website: s: August Birthdays 8/1 John Tayloe 8/3 Kim Barker Darrell Burchett 8/6 Keith Perryman Joseph Thomas 8/7 Rick Ammons 8/8 Tyler Essic 8/9 Tim Trollinger Brian Kiger Mary Lee Smith 8/10 from Pastor Aaron... Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).We can look at these as spiritual truths, but they are also physical truths too. As human beings, we need to know the way to where we are going. Anyone who has ever felt like they did not know their life's meaning or purpose knows the depth of that need. We need to know and share truth because, as Jesus said, "the truth will set you free" (John 8:32), implying that lies will imprison you. We need life, because it is too easy for our lives to be hurt or ended by the cruelty and violence in our world. It is our Christian responsibility to participate in our political systems (Romans 13:1-8; Matthew 25:31-46; give to Caesar what is Caesar's...) and the Moravian Church acknowledges this responsibility in the Ground of the Unity when it says, "Jesus Christ maintains in love and faithfulness his commitment to this fallen world. Therefore we must remain concerned for this world. We may not withdraw from it through indifference, pride, or fear. [The Moravian Church] challenges all with the message of the love of God, striving to promote the peace of the world and seeking to attain what is best for all people." As a society, we are entering a three month period in which unprecedented money will be spent on advertisement and rhetoric that is solely intended to divide us into groups for or against each presidential candidate. I invite each of you to navigate all that rhetoric, all the ads, and all the speeches using "the way, the truth, and the life" as your standard. What is the actual way a candidate will lead the nation? They can talk about a destination all day long, but what is the actual way of how they plan on getting there? I encourage you to find specific and detailed answers. Find the truth about the candidates and their statements. Do the hard work it takes to sift all the rhetoric and find the truth. Just because something is said often does not make it true. Look for the facts that illuminate the truth of the candidates and recognize the biases of your sources. Find the truth about the candidates, and do not dismiss the facts and evidence when it runs contrary to your opinion of them. Find out how the candidates will add life to our local communities, our

2 Tommy Bowman Abbey Phelps 8/13 Vickie Smith 8/14 Irene Csontos 8/16 Megan Masencup 8/18 Sandra Piner 8/19 Larry Holman 8/20 Ronald Carter Brendan Garcia Penny Chilton 8/23 Carolyn Hodge 8/24 Matt Miller 8/25 Carol Hepler 8/26 Abbie Bennett David Grohs Austin Ridge 8/28 SuRene Trollinger Kathy Brannock 8/30 Ashley Garcia 8/31 Kyle Petty nation, and the world. Find out how they will support the life of "the least of these" at home, in Latin and South America, in the Middle East, in Europe, in Africa, in Asia, and around the world. On a personal note, this nation has been at war for over half of my life, and we know that war does not bring life. So please, look for the president that will avoid "the sins which lead to war and conflict" as we pray in our Litany. Our Lamb, who is the way, the truth, and the life, has conquered, let us follow him even in this election season. Peace, Aaron Treasurer's Report Moravian Mania, part 53 Last month's "Moravian Mania" question was: Name the author of the outdoor drama "Trumpet in the Land." That's renowned playwright Paul Green, who popularized outdoor dramas with his first and most famous, "The Lost Colony" in Manteo, North Carolina, in This month's question: Who inspired the first Children's Festival in RHMC Ice Cream Social Let's get ready to get

3 1727? Answer next month. - Richard W. Starbuck Moravian Archives in VBS 2016 with an Ice Cream Social Sunday, August 7 7:00pm Invite your friends and neighbors! Craig Atwood gets to the heart of Salem As part of the 250 th anniversary of Salem, Old Salem Museums & Gardens will present the second of its Moravian History Speaker Series at 7 p.m. August 9 at the Old Salem Visitor Center, 900 Old Salem Road, Winston-Salem. The Rev. Dr. Craig D. Atwood will speak on "Salem: City of Peace," the spiritual and religious foundations of Salem and the way its social structure benefited the women and men who lived there. Br. Atwood is a familiar face in the Southern Province as an ordained Moravian minister. He is also a professor and director of the Center for Moravian Studies at Moravian Theological Seminary and is author of more than 50 publications. Best of all, his presentations are always made with a twinkle in his eye and a love for the Moravian Church. Admission is charged for the event. For more information and reservations, telephone Old Salem Museums & Gardens at RHMC Vacation Bible School 2016

4 Invite friends and neighbors! Register here!

5 Laurel Ridge Schedule of Upcoming Opportunities Family Camp September "Spontaneous Christian" Summer Camp Reunion Weekend Rally October 7-9 Polished Conference (mother/daughter weekend) October Winter Camp December 26-29

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