November 2018 MISSING PIECE: DISCIPLESHIP

Transcription

1 T h e S p i r e November 2018 MISSING PIECE: DISCIPLESHIP Last month, I shared how the American Church has some significant missing pieces to their Lego build, of putting it all together in their understanding of Christianity. The first missing piece was an inadequate communal picture of life together in God. This month, we will continue this discussion with the missing piece of discipleship. Some time ago, I was helping Eli with his math homework, and out of his mouth came a phrase that probably every parent has heard. In the real world, when will I ever need to know this? It became clear, that he already felt he knew everything he needed to know in math. In his mind, the continuing work in math was just an exercise of needless torture. We were forcing him to do his homework. Strangely, I don t think the above scenario is far off from most people s understanding of discipleship and faith. I know what I need to know. God is real. His son came in Jesus and died for my sins. And I believe in him and thus receive the grace and gift of salvation. Plus now, I am supposed to love God and others (it s the greatest commandment) as I seek to be a good person and example of Christ. Again, I believe and know what I need to know. No, I am not perfect, but thankfully God forgives. As a result, the integral biblical call to discipleship is non-existent in today s church. It s missing. The first mistake is we think discipleship is mainly a matter of the mind. Yes, disciple means learner, but more in an apprentice kind of way, not like a student. The center of discipleship is not grasping and understanding God, but life formation. A disciple s life is altered by the life, virtues and practices of Jesus. This life and these virtues and practices begin to shape our lives. We become re-made by our following of Christ. Because we primarily see discipleship as learning information like a student and then trying to apply it, today s church has no real definition to discipleship. We quickly get to the point of Eli (as seen above) and miss that discipleship is a life long journey of growing and following God. To regain discipleship, we need to again learn to see God and God s kingdom come. Through the gift of Jesus, God is offering salvation to you, me and the entire world. This new redeemed reality is a place of peace (lion lying down with the lamb), humbleness (the greatest is the one who serves), justice (all find their place at God s table), and new relationships (we learn to treat one another with the love and grace God offers to us.) Thus, discipleship is not an acquiring of facts and knowledge of God and/or the Bible. Discipleship is being transformed into citizens of this new kingdom. Simply put, discipleship is learning and putting into practice the peace, humbleness (servant-nature), justice, love, and new ways of relating revealed by Jesus. We cannot do this on our own by our own power. Discipleship takes worship, confession, deny-oneself, growth, accountability, support, prayer and the living by new practices as we are filled with the love of God and Holy Spirit. This is a life long journey we do together. Sadly very few churches or people in these churches ever begin a journey of discipleship. Because, of course, we already know what we need to know and we believe. On the flip side, Jesus declares, Go make disciples of all nations. Discipleship takes the complete offering of ourselves for the renewing of our minds, and thus is not conformed to the ways of the world. Through discipleship we grow as God s people into the already present reality of God s kingdom. Let us get back to discipleship. Pastor Danny Walker C e n t e n a r y U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h E s t a b l i s h e d

2 IT S THAT TIME AGAIN! It s hard to believe that another year is in its last two months. Two of our most cherished holidays are fast approaching: Thanksgiving and Christmas. As the song says, It s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Some thoughts as we enter the holiday season...it is important to remember that not everyone is surrounded by large, wonderful families. Some of us have problems during the holidays and some of us are overcome with great sadness when we remember the loved ones who are not with us. And many people have no one to spend these times with, and are besieged by loneliness. We all need caring, loving thoughts at this time. May I ask my friends, wherever you might be, to give a moment of thought, support, and prayers for all those who have family problems, health struggles, job issues, or worries of any kind. They just need to know that someone cares. Thank you for your support of Centenary's Scrip program. Donations given by Scrip thus far in 2018 include: $500 to Habitat for Humanity Methodist Build $500 to Evansville Community One (supplies work for our mission groups) $200 to UMCOR Hurricane Relief Fund $200 to Fields of Dreams Uganda Your support allows these donations which are greatly appreciated. In November, we observe ALL SAINT S DAY. We remember those of our church family who have passed away this year, and have gone on to their eternal home. For 2018 we recognize: IRA D. KNIGHT JOHN RICHARDS T.C. GOSSETT WALTER FANOK Centenary Nursing Initiative Update: We are pleased to announce that we (Centenary) have been given some durable medical equipment from our neighboring church, Bluegrass UMC. Now housed at the church are the following: 1. Adult wheelchair with leg extensions 2. Walker 3. Quad-cane 4. Shower chair that also functions as bedside commode 5. New commode extension 6. Two pair of TED support hose - thigh and knee high. Please let the church office know if you, your family, or someone in need could use any of these items. It s often said that whatever you focus on grows larger. That s true for fears, hopes, dreams, offenses and blessings. Gratitude focuses so closely on the good that the bad can become almost unnoticeable.

3 Family Order Form Centenary United Methodist Church NAME CHECK # ORDER DATE Clothing & Accessories % QTY Total Dining - On The Go % QTY Total Aeropostale $ % $ Arby's $ % $ American Eagle Outfit $ % $ Burger King $ % $ Banana Republic $ % $ Chipotle Mexican Grill $ % $ Children's Place $ % $ Chipotle Mexican Grill $ % $ Claire's $ % $ Cold Stone Creamery $ % $ Crazy 8 $ % $ Culver's $10 10% $ Express $ % $ Dairy Queen $ % $ Gap $ % $ Domino's $ % $ Gymboree $ % $ Dunkin' Donuts $ % $ Icing $ % $ Dunkin' Donuts $ % $ Journeys Kidz $ % $ GD Ritzys $ % $ Marshalls $ % $ Fazoli's $ % $ Maurices $ % $ Hardee's $ % $ Old Navy $ % $ Krispy Kreme Doughnuts $ % $ Payless Shoes $ % $ Little Caesar's Pizza $ % $ Ross Dress for Less $ % $ Long John Silver's $ % $ Shoe Carnival $ % $ Panera Bread $ % $ T.J. Maxx $ % $ Panera Bread $ % $ Talbots $ % $ Papa John's Pizza $ % $ Dining - Casual % QTY Total Papa Murphy's Pizza $ % $ Applebee's $ % $ Pizza Hut $ % $ Applebee's $ % $ Qdoba Mexican Grill $ % $ Bob Evans Restaurants $ % $ Starbucks $ % $ Bonefish Grill $ % $ Starbucks $ % $ Bonefish Grill $ % $ Steak 'n Shake $ % $ Buffalo Wild Wings $ % $ SUBWAY $ % $ Buffalo Wild Wings $ % $ Taco Bell $ % $ Cheddars $ % $ Wendy's $ % $ Cheddars $ % $ Chili's Grill & Bar $ % $ Health & Beauty % QTY Total Cracker Barrel $ % $ Bath & Body Works $ % $ Cracker Barrel $ % $ Bath & Body Works $ % $ Denny's $ % $ CVS Pharmacy % $ Gracie's Chinese $ % $ CVS Pharmacy $ % $ Logan's Roadhouse $ % $ Sephora $ % $ LongHorn Steakhouse $ % $ ULTA $ % $ Los Bravos Mexican $ % $ Walgreens $ % $ Los Tres Caminos Mexican $20 10% $ O'Charley's $ % $ Home Décor % QTY Total Old Chicago $ % $ Bed Bath & Beyond $ % $ Olive Garden $ % $ Bed Bath & Beyond $ % $ Outback Steakhouse $ % $ Crate and Barrel $ % $ Red Lobster $ % $ Pier 1 Imports $ % $ Red Robin $ % $ Pottery Barn Kids $ % $ Texas Roadhouse $ % $ TGI Fridays $ % $

4 Discount Store % QTY Total Home Improvement % QTY Total Burlington Coat Factory $ % $ Ace Hardware $ % $ Kmart $ % $ Home Depot $ % $ Meijer $10 3% $ Home Depot $ % $ Meijer $25 3% $ Lowe's $ % $ Meijer $50 3% $ Lowe's $ % $ Meijer $100 3% $ Lowe's $ % $ Sam's Club $ % $ Menards $ % $ Target $ % $ Menards $ % $ Target $ % $ Menards $ % $ Target $ % $ The Home Depot $ % $ Walmart $ % $ The Home Depot $ % $ Walmart $ % $ Online & Catalog % QTY Total Walmart $ % $ Amazon.com $ % $ Walmart $ % $ Amazon.com $ % $ Electronics & Office % QTY Total Groupon.com $ % $ Best Buy $ % $ Harry & David $ % $ Best Buy $ % $ itunes $ % $ EB Games $ % $ itunes $ % $ GameStop $ % $ Overstock.com $ % $ OfficeDepot /Office Max $ % $ Shutterfly $ % $ Staples $ % $ Specialty Retailer % QTY Total Build-A-Bear Workshop $ % $ Entertainment % QTY Total Guitar Center $ % $ AMC Theatres West $ % $ Hallmark $ % $ Barnes & Noble $ % $ Jo-Ann Fabric Stores $ % $ Barnes & Noble $ % $ Michaels $ % $ Family Video $ % $ PetSmart $ % $ Showplace North $ % $ Sporting Goods % QTY Total Academy Sports+Outdoors $ % $ Gas & Auto % QTY Total Bass Pro Shops $ % $ AutoZone $ % $ Cabela's $ % $ BP $ % $ Dick's Sporting Goods $ % $ Circle K $ % $ Dick's Sporting Goods $ % $ Circle K $ % $ Department Store % QTY Total Jiffy Lube $ % $ Dillard's $ % $ Marathon $ % $ Dillard's $ % $ Marathon $ % $ JCPenney $ % $ Marathon $ % $ Kohl's $ % $ Mobil $ % $ Kohl's $ % $ MotoMart $ % $ Macy's $ % $ Shell $ % $ Sears $ % $ Stein Mart $ % $ Travel & VISA % QTY Total Grocery % QTY Total Disney $ % $ GFS-Gordon Food Service$ % $ Princess Cruise Lines $ % $ IGA Buehlers $25.0 5% $ Visa Five Back $ % $ IGA Buehlers $ % $ Visa Five Back $ % $ Meijer $ % $ Visa Five Back $ % $ Meijer $ % $

5 KID S NEWS Despite a lack of cooperation from the weather, Trunk n Treat went very well! Thanks to all who donated time and money! The kids are working on Thanksgiving songs and their upcoming Christmas program. They are working on the music during Music Time which begins at the end of Kids Church and runs into the Sunday School hour. Parents, please make sure your children are present during this practice time! Salvation Army Bell Ringers Needed! Centenary UMC will be responsible for ringing bells for the Salvation Army on Saturday, December 8th from 9am - 6pm at the Schnucks on 41N and Boonville-New Harmony Rd. If you can help for an hour or two, see Dale Dawson who is in charge of scheduling. This is always a great way to help the Salvation Army and needy kids and families. ~ Scrip ~~ Scrip ~ It's time to plan for Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping. Sign up for Presto Pay and you can use your credit card to load gift cards to your phone, print them at home, or pre-order to pick up at church. Use store gift cards or prepaid VISA cards for online shopping. New or limited edition cards in stock include: Apple Itunes $25(5%), Barnes and Noble $5(8%), Crate and Barrel $25(8%), Cold Stone Creamery $5 and $25(11%), DSW $25(8%), TJ Maxx/Marshalls $25(7%), and Taco Bell $25(5%). Ask about the limited edition cards and get them before they are gone! Amazon now offers a card, rather than a paper certificate and these are available in $10, $25, and $100 (2.25%) denominations. Scrip cards are available every Sunday following church in the coffee room. We would love to help make your shopping easier and more convenient! UPWARD BASKETBALL has begun with evaluations! Upward is for kids Pre-K through 5th grade. We need volunteers to help on game days! We especially need referees and announcers. If you can help, see Pastor Danny or call the The Alzheimer's Association Greater KY/Southern IN Chapter will be hosting a community forum on Tuesday, November 13 at Deaconess Gateway Hospital to provide an overview of Alzheimer's disease and dementia as well as services available from the Association. Please join us as we invite members of the community to come together to ask questions about Alzheimer's disease, discuss their experiences, and discover how to engage in the cause. We will be holding a facilitated discussion during the forum to learn about what the community needs are including more educational programs, a new support group, or care consultations among other services. We encourage community members to bring their concerns and questions to the event so that we can learn what services would most benefit the area. The forum will take place at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Community Room A from 5:30-7:00pm. Deaconess Gateway Hospital is located at 4011 Gateway Blvd, Newburgh, IN. Light refreshments will be provided. Pre-registration is recommended. Please call A special thank you to Matt s Turf & More for the gift of our church lawn treatment! Go Ahead and Chuckle ~It s Good For You A merry heart does good, like medicine.. Prov. 17:22 An airplane pilot had had a particularly difficult flight and a rough landing. The airline had a policy which required the first officer to stand at the door while the passengers exited, smile and give them a ''Thanks for riding Royal Airlines.'' But, in light of his bad landing, the pilot had a hard time looking the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment. Finally, everyone had gotten off except for this little old lady smiling sweetly and walking with a cane. The pilot breathed a sign of relief. The little old lady said, ''Sonny, mind if I ask you a question?'' ''Why no, Ma'am,'' replied the pilot,'' ''what is it?'' The little old lady said, ''Did we land or were we shot down?'''

6 NOVEMBER Birthdays 3 - Luke Resler 4 - Amanda Wahl 7- Bea Woods 8 - Joe Clark 8 - Debbie Driggs 9 - Polly Hodapp 10- George Price III 11- Zachary Woods 13 - Debbie Latham 14 - William Hewig 14 - Kenyon Black 15 - Koa Swartzentruber 15 - Jan Kraft 15 - Scott Putler 19 - Krista Jackson NOVEMBER Anniversaries 15 - Craig & Melissa Vieira 17 - Bob & Vernice Lindell 26 - Jim & Ronda Fleming 20 - Larry Neufelder 21 - Kyndel Black 21 - Steve Burgdorf 22 - Nancy Brack 22 - Darlene Powell 23 - Stan Seibert 24 - Darwin Martin 27 - Sue Cox 27 - David Driggs 27 - Martha Freeman 28 - Richard Cobb 28 - Robert Branson 29 - Tammy Haywood 29 - Tionna Freeman DECEMBER Birthdays 1 - David Rose 4- Melissa Latham 5 - Alyxandria Vieira 6 - Jon Hall 6 - Brenda Murray 8 - Miriam Seibert 12 - Kristi Taylor 12 - Ann Vieira 14 -Kenny Murray 15- Ryan Grossman 15 - Brock Falconer 15 Terri Stocker 17 - Holly Billingsley 17 - Randy Bowden 17 - Ruth Hopkins 17 - Melissa Vieira 17- Hunter Riley 19 -Charlie Hiatt DECEMBER Anniversaries 10 - Jim & Bea Woods 11 - Buck & Joan Crowe 17 - Jim & Nancy McCutchan 26 - Rick & Judy Hendrix 30 - Mark & Marsha Stocker 20 - George Creekmur 20 - Amanda Elpers 21 - Erin Taylor 22 - Kamden Freeman 23 - Debbie Effinger 24 - Ellen Frederick 24 - Kelsey Stevens 24 - Kierstyn Stevens 24 - Kourtney Stevens 25 - Marly Mickel 27 -Ty Jackson 28 - Loretta Coulson 28 - Sherri Falconer 29 - Kelsey Smith 29 - Brent Crow 29 - T.J. Kemper 30 - Melba DeMuth 30 - Grace Adams 31- Ian Gordon A Record of Our Faithful n ess Date Attendance General Fund Offering 9/ $ / $ /7 108 $ / $ / $ YOUR HELP IS NEEDED! If you find any discrepancies in our Birthday/Anniversary listings, please call the office or us. This would include names that are missing or misspelled, as well as wrong dates. Prayer Concerns ~~ Rachel Bailey, Lee Crow, Rose Borman, Rosie Ritchie, Eloise Overdorf, Callie Graves, Dave Heavrin, Rosemary Rudolph, John Crow, Roger Huebner Sr, Joyce Smith, Wayne Aldridge, Joan Carnahan, Debbie Young, Gayle Harper, Darwin Martin, Cindy Woods

7 November 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :00AM 12:00PM Exercise Good Neighbors :30AM Safe Harbor 9:30AM Worship 10:45AM Cantata Practice 10:45AM Sun.School 2:00PM Charge Conference 11:30AM Georgia s Girls/We Care 9:00AM Exercise 6:30PM Bell Choir 7:00PM Choir 9:00AM 12:00PM Exercise Good Neighbors 7:00AM UMM Breakfast :30AM Safe Harbor 9:30AM Worship 10:45AM Cantata Practice 10:45AM Sun.School 11:30AM Georgia s Girls/We Care 9:00AM Exercise 6:30PM Trustee Meeting 6:30PM Bell Choir 7:00PM Choir 9:00AM 12:00PM Exercise Good Neighbors :30AM Safe Harbor 9:30AM Worship 10:45AM Cantata Practice 10:45AM Sun.School 11:30AM Georgia s Girls/We Care 9:00AM Exercise 6:30PM Bell Choir 7:00PM Choir Happy Thanksgiving :30AM Safe Harbor 9:30AM Worship 10:45AM Cantata Practice 10:45AM Sun.School 11:30AM Georgia s Girls/We Care 9:00AM Exercise 6:30PM Bell Choir 7:00PM Choir 9:00AM 12:00PM Exercise Good Neighbors

8 T h e S p i r e P o i n t i n g L i f e i n t h e R i g h t D i r e c t i o n Centenary United Methodist Church Old State Road Evansville IN RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Church Office: Fax: Office centenary@mw.twcbc.com Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 6 Inglefield, IN CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away, see, everything has become new! 2 Corinthians 5: 17 Seeking God and God s Kingdom First Seeking to Live as Disciples Seeking to Be the Body of Christ, the Church Seeking to Discover the Joy of God