MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE OF HERITAGE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OCTOBER 2016 VOLUME

Transcription

1 focus on Heritage MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE OF HERITAGE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OCTOBER 2016 VOLUME 7 Pastoral Thoughts The Heart of Heritage: Our Core Values Before I arrived at Heritage, Scot sent me several pieces of information to help me get acclimated to the church. One of the pieces that excited me the most was the Core Value card. I am so impressed that this congregation has invested the time and resources to discern the framework for all you do. Over the next few months, Scot and I will be centering our sermons on Heritage s core values. Our hope is that we can all know and understand the heart of Heritage. These core values are the bones this congregation is built on. Knowing them is both formational and directional. We hope you will make an extra effort to be present in worship to help us enculture these values. Each one is scripturally grounded and Holy Spirit inspired. Please take time to explore and learn them. They are not some magic list to get us to heaven, but they are a compass to keep us on the path. The awesome thing is that your leaders were wise enough to use the letters of our name Heritage to help us remember who we are. Here they are! Hospitality: Be eager to practice hospitality. Romans 12:13 Evangelical Beliefs: Defend the faith that God entrusted once for all times to his holy people. Jude 1:3 Reaching out in mission: Go and make disciples of all nations. Matthew 28:19 Intentional Discipleship: The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:2 The Family: Impress God s commands on your children. Talk about them when you re at home or away, when you lie down or get up. Deuteronomy 6:7 Authentic Worship: God is spirit, so those who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24 Generosity: God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 Everyone in Ministry: As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:16 That is the heart of Heritage! Live loved, Steve Important Dates October 2: Bridal Shower for Krista Smith October 8, 15 & 22: Denham Springs Mission Trips October 9: Youth Gathering Tour October 10: UMW Meeting October 10-11: Pre-School Fall Break October 10-14: Breadbasket Week October 12: Asbury Trip to Mobile, AL October 16: Bridal Shower for Mallory Maples October 17-18: Orange Tour October 23-26: Wesley Putnam October 30: Trunk or Treat & Chili Cook-Off

2 The Heart of Heritage Sermon Series The core values of Heritage shape who we are and give us direction as we move into the future. These values help define us as a congregation as we Connect, Grow and Go. Adult Sunday School Focus The Faith Class Mike May September 11: Why Are Core Values Important? September 18: Hospitality September 25: Evangelical Beliefs October 2: Reaching Out in Mission October 9: Intentional Discipleship October 16: The Family October 23: Wesley Putnam (One Service) October 30: Authentic Worship / Generosity November 6: Everyone in Ministry Each month we will highlight one of our adult Sunday School classes. Sunday School begins at 9:00 am every Sunday. Our Mission We exist to connect with others, to grow together as a community in Christ and to go and make disciples of Jesus Christ. Our Vision Our relationship with Christ is the most important thing in our lives as we live together as a Christian community. Sunday Night Study Groups 4:00-6:00: ~Jane Hudson leads Precept 5:00-6:30 ~Scot Jones & Patrick Hutto lead a group on Discipleship Essentials ~Emily Saffle leads a study of Esther ~Hospitality Room: Epic of Eden study by Sandy Richter Youth D-Group (Disciple Groups) R.I.S.E. For parents of youth. ROUTE 56 (Grades 5 & 6) SPARK (Grades K-4) 6:00-7:00 ~Heritage Bells Practice

3 Stay Connected to Our Ministry Areas Youth Ministry A message from John Joiner Children s Ministry A message from Lauren Hutto All families have expectations. Some are spoken, while others remain unspoken. But, as parents, we must be extremely clear of our family expectations. If you have never clearly set family expectations, then sit down with your family and establish some with your children. This is not a time to just create rules for your teenagers. These are family expectations, so they include parents, too. Create age-appropriate rules that apply to all members of the family, including you. As you close out your time together, encourage your kids to work with you as your family navigates the expectations for your home. Allowing your children to help set the family expectations gives them ownership of their own expectations and gives them a reason for upholding their end of the bargain. Do you ever take a few minutes to focus on you? As parents, we too often forget or don t make time, to nurture our relationship with God. We sometimes need to be reminded that your ability, your strength, your desire to love your children the right way starts with learning how to LOVE GOD the right way. In order to be the parents God calls us to be, we must put God first and make time to spend with Him each day. The more we strive to put Him first, the better we will be able to love our children. When we learn to LOVE GOD the right way, we will be able to love our children the right way. Discipleship Ministry A message from Scot Jones Hebrews 6:1 states, So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don t need to start all over again with the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. It is God s desire that we don t remain infants in the faith. He wants us to grow, learn, improve, and mature as a Christian. One way we grow is through discipleship. There will be several opportunities for us to grow deeper in our relationship with God in October. All of our Sunday School classes continue to study God s word each week. The Orange Tour Conference will be a great opportunity for many to learn how to lead small. We also have the Master s Storyteller, Wesley Putnam, coming this month to lead us in a time of renewal as we seek to grow. Wesley will lead BibleQuest for our K-6 th graders while he is here with us. (See info inside this newsletter about Wesley). We will also kick off our yearly stewardship campaign, The Heart of Heritage- For God so loved the world he gave. We will take time to renew our commitments to Heritage. When you joined Heritage, you were asked the question, Will you support Heritage with your time, talents, gifts, service, and witness? Take the opportunity to be at Heritage in October. See you at Heritage! Overflow Service and Praise Team from Patrick Hutto Sanctuary Music and Pastoral Care A message from Andrew LeBlanc A Festival of Lessons & Carols by Hal H. Hopson will be presented in worship on Sunday, December 18th. Mark your calendar & save the date because you do not want to miss this! We will have a combined worship experience - no Overflow service this day. Come join us for an elegant, worshipful Christmas service with a sparkling chamber orchestra. We would also like to invite you to sing with us for the Christmas music. We would love to fill every chair in the choir loft, and, NO AUDITION IS NECESSARY!!! Special Christmas rehearsals will be on Wednesdays, 7:00-7:30 pm beginning on October 5th. Come Join the Fun! Music Counts & So Do You! What is worship? Worship is not music, it is not songs, and it is not just an hour on Sunday mornings. These things, instead, are expressions of our worship. These are things that flow out of our love for God. When you worship someone, your worship looks more like a lifestyle totally dedicated to showing reverence and adoration for who that person is. For Christians, it is honoring God for Who He is and What He has done. When we think about worship in this way, we can t limit ourselves to worship on Sunday morning sitting in a pew or chair, engaging with a praise band or listening to a preacher. Worship happens at your desk at work. Worship happens in the checkout line at the grocery store. Worship happens in the big moments of your life and in the smallest most insignificant ones. Our God deserves worship that looks like this. Heritage UMC, let s take steps together to cultivate a lifestyle of worship to our one and only Creator, Sustainer, and Savior.,

4 MEMORIALS In memory of Dot Dollar (Craig Dollar s mother) Jim & Alison Parish Just for 3 year olds through 6 th graders: Our stewardship campaign will begin soon for our whole church. As a church, we need to pray about how we can give to Heritage United Methodist Church and the ministries happening all around us. We want to educate our children in what the Bible tells us about being generous. We often forget that tithing is an important part of faith. The children are given a chance to give their offerings in Surge and Sunday school. They also experience the offering time each week in church. We want our children to know why it is important to have offering time, what the offering is used for, and what the Bible tells us about giving. We will offer two Giving classes. One class will be held on Sunday, October 16, during Sunday school at 9:00 in the sanctuary for 3 year olds through 2 nd graders. The second class will be offered on Sunday, October 30 during the Sunday school hour at 9:00 in the sanctuary for 3 rd graders through 5 th graders. Children and parents are invited to attend. We hope to see you at one of these classes as we teach our children the importance of being generous. Wednesday Nights at Heritage Wednesday nights at Heritage, known as HUBB Life, have resumed. HUBB Life begins with our fellowship meal from 5:00 until 6:00 pm, followed by Small Group Studies & Activities from 6:00-7:00 pm. Whether your are interested in working with children or youth, or just making friends and strengthening your own faith, there is a group for you! Come join us as we CONNECT, GROW & GO In memory of Dorothy Parker Evans (Mike Parker s mother) Craig & Theresa Dollar Jim & Alison Parish In memory of Bobbie Ingram Impact Education Group, LLC In memory of Carolyn Ramsey Alex & Mary Elizabeth Blair Mr. & Mrs. C.B. Blount Charlie & Kathy Brown Kimmie Hall Tobias John & Dollye Kirk Hutch & Debbie Liebewein John & Ginger Meador Judy Mintor George & Jean Pace Jim & Alison Parish Jimmy & Sandra Rowell Mary Jean Saulters Holly Wade James & Gwen Williams Constance Wyldmon The Love Class In memory of Carolyn Ramsey (Music Department) Kelly/Peggy Sanchez 09/04/16 Total Attendance 404 Sanctuary Worship Service 265 Overflow Worship Service 95 Nursery/Children s Worship 44 09/11/16 Total Attendance 541 Sanctuary Worship Service 348 Overflow Worship Service 95 Nursery/Children s Worship 98 09/18/16 Total Attendance 468 Sanctuary Worship Service 323 Overflow Worship Service 104 Nursery/Children s Worship 41 09/25/16 Total Attendance 486 Sanctuary Worship Service 321 Overflow Worship Service 93 Nursery/Children s Worship 70 Finances Through August Year-to-date Budget $914,565 Year-to-date Expenses $865,478 YTD Offerings/Revenue $787,799 Remaining Mortgage Balance $3,189,192

5 Will what happens in your church THIS SUNDAY matter in someone s life ON MONDAY? At Orange Tour you ll discover how to: ~Design a strategic experience each Sunday. ~Reach families who don t show up this Sunday. ~Craft a message that lasts far beyond Sunday. ~Help small group leaders stay connected to kids after Sunday. ~And much more. Getting your entire team on the same page is important! When you experience fresh insight and new ideas together, it creates a team synergy that is powerful and lasts week after week after week. Orange Tour is coming to Heritage on October 17 and 18! For more information check out The Orange Tour on Coming Home Mary Jean Saulters After coming to Hattiesburg from another town where I had lived for 49 years, finding a church and a church family was one of my first priorities. I visited a Methodist church where my mother and father were charter members and where I had joined the church. I soon realized I could not go back home to that church. With some of my family already members here at Heritage, I attended church here and soon knew that Heritage would be my church home. I came with the attitude that I would sit in the congregation and be just a member. Having been active in the church from where I moved, I could not sit still. I soon became a part of a Sunday school class, the Asbury Group, the choir, the woman s organization, and helped in the kitchen when needed. This helped me to know and learn the wonderful people of Heritage United Methodist Church. Also, I was drawn to Heritage because my parents were members of Broad Street Methodist Church when I was born and my grandparents and great-grandparents were members of Red Street Methodist Church, which was established in 1904 and became Broad Street Methodist Church-now Heritage United Methodist Church. So you see, this has been a homecoming for me. We re excited to announce the speakers for Orange! Register before 10/04/16 to save $10.00 Register after 10/05/16 for regular rate of $109. Register on-line at or Dear Father, Thank you for families and for friendships that are formed through the love of Christian people. Amen Lead Small Training is $19.00, but free with purchase of Orange Tour ticket. Prices include registration fee, conference material and lunch. Prices do not include transportation or lodging.

6 Come hear the Master s Storyteller as he presents a unique blend of story and song. If Elijah, a prophet from the Old Testament, appeared today, what would he look and sound like? Through the imagination of Wesley Putnam, the Master s storyteller, you might meet Elijah as a Bronx cop, or see Daniel from the lion s den as a West Texas cowboy. These and other stories bring ancient characters to life and convey truth in a fresh, relevant way for our generation. There will be refreshing times of praise and worship, as Wesley and his wife Felicia bring an exciting blend of old and new songs to help people express their love for God. This time of renewal is for kids, too. BibleQuest is a fast-paced program designed to make learning Bible facts and truths exciting for elementary students. You will be amazed at how much they learn in a short time. You won t want to miss a single night! October Sunday 10:00am & 6:00pm Bible Quest 5:00pm Mon-Wed Bible Quest 5:30 pm Drama 6:30 pm Dear Parents of kindergarteners through 6 th graders: The Dayspring Revival our church is hosting on October will be a life-changing event for all who attend, including the children. Wesley Putnam Ministries will be holding BibleQuest, an exciting Bible memory program designed especially for elementary children. Full of songs, stories, prizes, and fun, BibleQuest encourages children to learn the scriptures and apply them to their lives. During Sunday school each child will be given a BibleQuest memory book called the Shield of Faith. This book gives a clear presentation of God s wonderful plan for our lives and is the focus of all BibleQuest activities. Please look over this book with your child and help him/her as much as he/she desires. Listen to his/her memory work. When you are satisfied that he/she has memorized a verse, check the box(es) and initial it. Rev. Putnam will meet with the children at 5:15 on Sunday, October 23, and at 5:30 on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to lead singing and present a Bible story. The children will join us in the sanctuary for the evening service at 6:00 on Sunday, and 6:30 on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Medals will be presented at the end of the final BibleQuest session. It is our hope that you will allow your children to make the full commitment to attend BibleQuest. We realize that your children may be going to bed late, but for only four nights it is a small price to pay for the rich Christian experience that will be theirs. We pray you will not only allow your children to participate fully, but you will also bring as many children from your neighborhood as you can squeeze into your car. This is a tremendous opportunity to share the Gospel with a lot of kids who may not get another chance to hear it presented so well on their level. You are welcome to observe the BibleQuest activities which begin at 5:15 on Sunday, October 23 and 5:30 on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The adult worship services will begin at 6:00 on Sunday, and 6:30 the rest of the nights. We look forward to seeing you at the Dayspring revival with Wesley Putnam!

7 October Heritage Family Prayer Focus Please take time this month to pray for these families. Why does God want us to pray for others? Because intercessory prayer reflects God s own character of outgoing love and mercy. God wants us to think like He does, and praying for others helps us to think beyond ourselves and to grow in compassion for others. How to intercede on behalf of others. From the heart. Regularly. In what is often called the Lord s Prayer, Jesus told us to pray, Give us this day our daily bread. (Matthew 6:11; The Lord s Prayer. ) We should pray for our needs and the needs of others every day. In detail. God knows everything, but He wants us to come to Him with all our specific requests because He likes to hear from us and to know what is important to us. The Bible compares our prayers to incense, and God loves prayers that are like sweet incense beaten fine. (Leviticus 16:12). With faith, knowing that God has all power and loves the people for whom we are praying. Missionary of the Month Mitchell Williams Fellowship of Christian Athletes FCA reaches out to athletes and coaches, presenting Jesus to them and encouraging them to serve Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church. Mitchell Williams leads the eleven-county Pine Belt chapter of FCA. Mitch served as sports director for WDAM-TV in Hattiesburg for many years and is a member of the University of Southern Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. 1. Pray that God will provide and meet Mitchell s needs. 2. Pray for his health and protection. 3. Pray that he can continue to share the love of Christ with athletes in the Pine Belt. With love. Godly love is totally unselfish and is the essence of God s character. Denham Springs, Louisiana Mission Opportunity Flood Relief Fervently. James 5:16 tells us the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Prayer makes a difference. Take some time this month and pray for these families. Maybe write them a note, text or just tell them you have been praying for them this month. Prayer matters! 1. Butch and Brett Mallette 2. Hope Maples 3. Arthur and Sonya Martin 4. Dale and Sunny Martin 5. Jim and Alison Parish 6. George and Donna Parker 7. Mike and Marsha Parker 8. Mark and Jennifer Parsons 9. Todd and Tiffany Rowell 10. Joey and Sallie Ryan 11. Owen and Emily Saffle 12. Kelly and Peggy Sanchez 13. David and Christa Saulters 14. Mary Jean Saulters 15. Jim and Judy Scott People to paint and hang sheetrock needed! October 8, 15 & 22 Meet at Heritage at 6:15 am, leave at 6:30. The plan is to have everyone back around 8:00 pm Saturday evening. Contact Jim Wild or Scot Jones for more information. SAVE THE DATE! OCTOBER 30 5:00-7:00 FAMILY FUN!

8 Heritage United Methodist Church 3 Baracuda Drive Hattiesburg, MS Non-Profit Us Postage Paid Hattiesburg, MS Permit No. 163 Stay Connected at Heritage Children Text Message: heritagekids to Weekly s: click on Children s link Youth Youth App: Search in App store for Heritage United Methodist Church Youth Facebook: Heritage UMC Youth Parents Weekly and Text: Contact John Joiner at or john@heritage-umc.org Congregation Church-wide Weekly Heritage-umc.org click on rotating banner Text Message: heritage to Facebook: humchattiesburg Services: Heritage-umc.org click on Online Sermons livestream and recorded Do you want to be on or off our mailing list? Call For an copy go to 3 Baracuda Drive Hattiesburg, MS