THE EPISTLE ARE YOU WILLING TO TAKE A RISK?

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1 April 2018 Volume 18, Issue 4 St. Paul United Methodist Church THE EPISTLE ARE YOU WILLING TO TAKE A RISK? Here is an excerpt from an we received this week from our church growth coach, Paul Nickerson. I believe this is a very relevant word for our congregation at this time. In his book, The Last Arrow, Pastor Erwin McManus writes: We must war against the temptation to settle for less. Average is always a safe choice, and it is the most dangerous choice we can make. Average protects us from the risk of failure, and it also separates us from futures of greatness. In my reading of scripture, God always seems to call us to give our very best and to know that God will always be with us. But as I work with churches I find many of them playing it safe, keeping to the tried and true programs and activities, settling for mediocre. It is comfortable and easy, but what impact does it have for God s Kingdom? Jesus told his disciples to come and follow and then to go out and make disciples of all the world. He didn t say, Sit in the Upper Room, play it safe and hope someone shows up to join you. It was a risky challenge, and yet when the disciples took up that mandate, great things happened, and the world was changed. In your church and in your neighborhood, what wonderful and wild thing is God calling you to do? Don t just churn out another program year that looks pretty much like last year. Don t play it safe; listen for the Spirit that sends you to all sorts of new adventures. Your life, and the lives of so many people around you will never be the same. The challenge to be the church in our community is a personal challenge. Each of us has a role in helping someone else come to know Jesus. Who have you met this week? Who have you invited to have a cup of coffee or watch a ballgame with you and a couple of other friends? You are living in a time that calls for creativity, exploration of new ideas and methods, and getting out of your regular routine to connect with new people. What wonderful and wild thing is God calling you to do? In what ways are you making an impact in God s Kingdom? Then Jesus said, you must go and make disciples of all nations and you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end. (Matthew 28:19-20 NIrV) Walking in God s promises, Pastor Susan

2 T HE EPI S TL E V olume 18, I s s u e 4 P a ge 2 Louise Best Circle Louise Best Circle will meet in the Social Hall at 3 P.M. on Tuesday, April 10. Please note the date change. You are to meet on the 2nd Tuesday instead of the 1st Tuesday of the month. Vitality Team Meet at the parsonage at 6:30 P.M. to participate in the coaching call scheduled at 7 P.M. on Tuesday, April We are excited to announce the dates for the All services begin at 6 P.M. April 8: Springdale UMC, Clinton April 15: Belvedere UMC, North Augusta April 22: Harris UMC, Greenwood April 29: St. John s UMC, Batesburg The offering received at each service will be used for district mission projects. Our Superintendent, Rev. Love will deliver the message at each service. Church Council Church Council will meet Wednesday, April 18, at 7 P.M. with special guest Jim Arant, Congregational Specialist. Backpack Ministry Volunteers are asked to meet in the Family Life Center on Thursday, April 26, at 5 P.M. to help pack food for the needy children in our community. 5th Sunday in April On Sunday, April 29, we will meet in the Family Life Center at 9 A.M. for breakfast and 10 A.M. for worship. From the Trustees Ann Watkins old office has been remodeled and designated as a storage room for Operation Christmas Child and for seasonal decorations. It is not a general storage room. Please do not store any items without clearing it through Kay Rankin. Growing in God Kids GIG Kids will meet Sunday, April 22nd from 6:00-7:00 at Saluda Park. Come join us for friendship and faith time! If it rains we will meet at the church. UPCOMING EVENTS National Day of Prayer Save the Date!!! Thursday, May 3, from 6:30-8:00 A.M. Drive by Prayer, Coffee, and Doughnuts In front of the Church Epworth Children s Home Annual Mother s Day Offering Sunday, May 13 Please be in prayerful consideration of what God is calling you to give to this valuable and life changing ministry to benefit the children who call Epworth home.

3 P a ge 3 T HE EPI S TL E V olume 18, I s s u e 4 Prayer List Nursing Home: Dorothy Phillips, Ann Thompson, Billy Coleman, Clyde Wade, Kathleen Padgett, Irene Riddle Shut Ins: Ruby Herlong, Linda Beber, Grace Givens Members: Rose Eva Rankin, Peg Bolton, Bill Perkins, Eileen Quattlebaum, Billy Higbee, Patsy Quattlebaum, Allene Able, Fairy Smith, Bela Herlong, Helen Humphries, Kim Hopkins, Lois DeLoache, Viola Goff, Russell Altman Friends and Family: Charlie Beber, Reba Bodie, Tyler Stegall, Russell Durst, Carol Snipes and her mother, Skylar Knight, Jessica Suggs, Andrea Stevens, Gloria Edwards, John Higgins, Harriett Ryan, Mike Skinner, Butch Bledsoe, Kayla Matthews, Faculty and Students, Joyce Fingerlin, Rich Coots, Evelyn Stewart, Wayne Riddle, Clyde Hendrix, David McDaniel, Austin Harding, Jennifer Yawn, Mary Lee Butler, James Andrews, Tony Mauldin, Jonathan Goodman and Cyndi Keats Those Battling Cancer: Billy Wall, Sheryl Maffett, Pam Williams, Ron Depin, Annette Latham, Anthony Corley, Kathy Dodgen, Fred Parkman, Patty Coleman, Myra Bennett, Delores Lester, Lucy Ackerman Higgins, Cyndi Keats, Harvey Sauls, Richard Eargle, Joye Hutto, Charles Taylor, Nancy Ann Coleman Wooten, Josh Enlow, Brad Coleman, Deborah Minick, Chad Arant, Beth Sauls Military: Chris Crouch, Chuck Bearon, Ryan Caulder, Robbie Grafton, Brandon Bryan, Shannon Corley, Parker Hite, Patrick Wilson, Matthew Rollins, Ben Walker Birthdays and Anniversaries APRIL 4-Benjamin Rankin 5-Kennedy Hudson 6-Gena Johnson Ramos, Aliene Herlong, Thomas Wills 8-Nancy Todd Jordan 10-David McDaniel, Bryce Rhodes 11-Margaret Griffith, M/M Kent Liner 13-Thomas Horne, Kelly White 16-Brandon Bradshaw, Christian Addy 17-Mike DeLoache 21-Miriam Liner 22-M/M Thomas Sample 24-Melinda Taylor, Michelle Smith, M/M Scott Martin 25-Ann Wheeler, Rebecca Perry 26-Don Smith, M/M Lee Wertz, Mary Ann Bayer 29-M/M Charles Long, M/M Mike DeLoache 30-Jeffrey Miller Memorials In memory of Helen Murray by Ralph and Sheree Riley In memory of Michael Stevens by Mitzi and Russell Durst Tony and Iris Riddle Bonnie and Emery Shealy June Riddle Ron and Kindra Smith

4 St. Paul United Methodist Church 102 E. Butler Ave Saluda, SC Phone: Website: Lander Campus Ministry BEST BALL GOLF TOURNAMENT Rain or Shine Stoney Point Country Club in Greenwood Friday, April 13 1 P.M. Shotgun Start Entry Fee- $260 per team (includes golf & dinner) Hole or Tee sponsors available at $50 Mulligans available 4 for $20 Par 3 hole- $5 per shot If on green win a sleeve of golf balls. Door prizes after tournament Prize for winning team- $300 For more information on registering a team or to sponsor a hole or a tee, contact Justin Ritter at jlritter@umcsc.org Epworth Children s Home 10th Annual Alumni Cook Out for Kids BBQ Saturday, April A.M. to 3 P.M. At Epworth Children s Home This BBQ fundraiser features award winning cooks, music, and a bake sale. $10 pork or chicken plates $30 whole Boston butt $5 kids plate

5 T HE EPI S TL E V olume 18, I s s u e 4 P a ge 3 April 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Easter Day 2 3 Vitality Team Coaching Call 7 PM Girl Scouts 6-7:30 P.M. 10 Louise Best Circle 3 PM in SH Church Council 7 PM in SH 23 Girl Scouts 6-7:30 P.M Backpack Ministry 5 PM in SH GIG Kids 6-7 at park 29 5th Sunday Breakfast at 9 AM & Worship at 10 AM in FLC 30