Understanding The Case For Christ

Transcription

1 The Tripletter May 2017 Understanding The Case For Christ "...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have..." 1 Peter 3:15 When Lee Stobel, a Pulitzer prize winning journalist for the Chicago Tribune, determined to investigate the resurrection of Christ he was seeking to debunk what he considered to be centuries of superstition and gullibility. After many months of professional research, Lee discovered something that he never expected: the truth. No one was more surprised than he. For the next few weeks at each worship service we will be looking at what Lee uncovered during his investigation. The search for a way to explain and to understand our hope in Christ is a real struggle for many Christians. This study will help us to know why we believe what we believe. This is an exciting and inspiring story with surprising proofs that encourage believers and offer hope to seekers. This is a good time to invite any of your friends who have real questions about the difficult facts surrounding Jesus and His life, death, and resurrection. The early worship service begins at 8:30, Life Source Worship begins at 9:45, and of course the 11:00 worship remains at the same time. 8:30 and 11:00 will begin week 2 of the study on April 30, while the 9:45 Life Source will be a week behind. This allows you to catch up if you happen to miss one Sunday. seeking. If you ve ever had questions, this series may have the answers you ve been - Rev. Dr. Rick Auten The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. - Zephaniah 3:17

2 Shaped by tragedy and grace: John Wesley s rescue from fire Summarized from UMC.org feature by Joe Iovino 02/07/16 What influences does God use to shape us? Our family, experiences, events, friendships, move to a new community, national tragedy, and other factors contribute to our understandings of who we are and what our place is in the world. These things subtly form us. Other times a single event can be so profound that we remember it for the rest of our lives. The fire at John Wesley s family home when he was five years old was such an event for him. It impacted the way Wesley would lead the movement that was to become The United Methodist Church. Much is known about the fire of the Epworth rectory from letters the Rev. Samuel and Susanna Wesley wrote to family and friends immediately after the fire. They describe the harrowing events of February 9, Hetty Wesley, age 11, was awakened at 11:30 pm with burning pieces from the roof of the house landing on her bed! She ran to her Dad, Samuel. Samuel heard someone outside yell, Fire! From the hallway door he saw the flames. The burning roof was falling fast and threatening his family, could they escape? Parents, 8 children, staff, all in their nightclothes. No time! Rev. Samuel, the Dad, shouted: Run, Run for your life. Mrs. Susanna Wesley and two daughters ran, legs being burned, but made it out to the garden. A staff member broke a window and climbed out with two children, Molly and Hetty. Another staff member, Betty, went to the nursery for the youngest children. Putting year old Charles in her arms she told Jacky (young John Wesley), age 5, to follow her. OUT THEY WENT, or so she thought, but, out in the garden she saw, JACKY WAS MISSING. The scared little boy had run back to his room. The flames were so intense. He yelled and yelled for help. Jacky went to the window. SPOTTED, a person in the yard saw the child. CARING NEIGHBORS one man stood on another man s shoulders and pulled John Wesley, Jacky, to safety through the window just as the flaming roof fell into his bedroom. Rev. Samuel Wesley, John Wesley s father called out, COME, NEIGHBORS! LET US KNEEL DOWN! LET US GIVE THANKS TO GOD! Throughout his life John Wesley summed up his remarkable life with the words spoken by his mom when he was just five years old, Here lieth a brand plucked from the burning; a man rescued for a purpose. VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DAY Sunday, May 21st before and after all services, there will be stations set up in the Narthex and in the Christian Life Center with goodies and gifts to thank ALL volunteers for ALL you do for Triplett UMC!! Without the generous gifts of your time and talents, NOTHING would be possible. Thank you for all you do!!! From praying to teaching, to donating and baking to EVERYTHING and in between! YOU ARE APPRECIATED. MAKER FUN FACTORY VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Registration forms will be out soon for our Vacation Bible School. Save the date: Sunday, July 9 Friday, July 14. All kids ages 3 5th grade are invited! Supper will once again be provided each evening. Please invite your friends and family. 1 Peter 1:7-9 These troubles test your faith and prove that it is pure. And such faith is worth more than gold. Gold can be proved to be pure by fire, but gold will ruin. When your faith is proven to be pure, the result will be praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ comes. You have not seen Christ, but still you love him. You can t see him now, but you believe in him. You are filled with a wonderful and heavenly joy that cannot be explained. Your faith has a goal, and you are reaching that goal your salvation.

3 This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'" - Zechariah 13:9 Golden Trippers The Trippers will be headed out on Tuesday, May 9th at 9:00 am for the Rowan County Museum in Salisbury. Afterwards, we ll be eating at K & W Cafeteria. The Trippers will also be meeting on Thursday, May 18th at 11:30 am at the Captain s Galley in Mooresville NC. Those Trippers that have purchased tickets will be headed out at 10:30 am to catch Sister Act at the Charles Mack Center on Friday, May 19th. Lunch at Village Inn Pizza will follow. TRIPLETT CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER NEWS CORNER Remembering Mrs. Betty Jean and her vision to Let the Little Children Come. Betty Jean was my Sunday School teacher when I was a little girl. I teach the children songs and rhymes that she taught me years ago. She would come and read to me and the children in my class. I am so blessed that Betty Jean and all of her family are a part of my life and a part of my journey. I have been involved with Triplett CDC since its beginning and with the Family since my early beginning. Thank you all for giving to the Lord. Many lives are being changed because you love the children and we love you! Alice Surratt Howard Fantastic Fours & Triplett CDC Have you noticed how fresh and light the Day Care hallway has become?? If you haven t seen it, please check out the beautiful new paint job! The Day Care folks did an awesome job! What the Children Love about Triplett CDC Peyton J. I like playing football outside with Parker. Parker I like playing with the toys. Kinsleigh I learned that Jesus died on the cross and I love Him. Chapel We learn about the Bible. Ava Nail Don t listen to the snake from Adam and Eve and there is a cross on the Donkey. Jaxson I have birthdays here! Finley I learned how to write my name. Brooklyn I learned about God. Daisy The Bible! Sutton We do exercise! Weston Jesus died before the ladies moved the stone and God made Him alive again! Maddox I Love this Day! Peyton Mc. I loved the Easter Egg Hunt! Declan I love playing outside! Braylen I learned the ABC s. Ava T. I love playing with Chapel. Addie I love Peyton McConnell.

4 Triplett United Methodist Church. 838 Mazeppa Rd. Mooresville, North Carolina Church Office Day Care Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Mount Ulla, N.C US Permit #14 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Lifesource SUNDAYS 9:45 AM A contemporary worship service Triplett 838 Mazeppa Road Fill your HEART SOUL MIND - & SPIRIT in the Christian Life Center Belong. Believe. Become. Sunday Worship Services Ministry in Action Nursery Schedule 8:30 am Service Nursery Schedule 11:00 am Service 7th Phyllis Belk 7th Leeanne Merchant / Margaret Murdock 14th Linda Ketchie 14th Linda Ketchie / Emory Harmon 21st Phyllis Belk 21st Cheryl Bernhardt / Jamie Moore 28th Linda Ketchie 28th Karen Freeman / Ashley Buck / Elizabeth Kurtz Greeter Schedule 8:30 am Service Greeter Schedule 11:00 am Service 7th Mike & Lisa Ensalaco 7th Eddie & Barbara Odom 14th Grier & Vicki Tolbert 14th Bryan & Tammy Clodfelter 21st Joe & Carolyn Ketchie 21st Bruce & Shari Dilday 28th Wayne & Susan Parker 28th Cheryl Bernhardt / Jamie Moore Children s Church Schedule Sunday School Rover Schedule 7th Linda Ketchie / Jada Heath 7th Jeff Tolbert 14th Tracie, Ashley & Riley Buck 14th Whit Gibson 21st Linda Ketchie / Whitney Brannen 21st Carlos Rivera 28th Toni & Laney Gabosch / Angie & Anna Harrison 28th Michael Brannen Acolyte Schedule 7th Adrian Rivera 14th Anna Harrison Usher Teams 21st Carl & Teresa Moore 7th Bryan Clodfelter, Chair. Lori Brawley, Toni Gabosch, Tim 28th Cheryl Bernhardt Gabosch, Jerry Howard, Jay Howard 14th Bryan Clodfelter, Chair. Cheryl Bernhardt, Mark Conjelko, Chad Holloway, Michael Thompson, Terry Thompson 21st Arnie Howard, Chair. Michael Brannen, Brian Buck, Riley Buck, Whit Gibson, Carlos Rivera. 28th Eric Oliphant, Chair. Lisa Oliphant, Steven Clodfelter, Shari Dilday, Bruce Dilday, Shayne Summerfield Our deep and sincere gratitude to the Triplett UMC family who served with, loved, ministered to, and were mentored by Betty Jean M. Hart. In her more than 60 years of membership at Triplett she was privileged to share her faith and God s greatness with hundreds of church members, children, and their families through Sunday School lessons, music, children s church, vacation Bible school, and leadership in UMW and church committees. She was most thankful for the visits, cards, thoughts, and prayers during the last 3 years and for the gift of shared sacrament delivered by the lay leaders. Her life well-lived in Christ was celebrated on Thursday, April 13. Our family thanks all who doubled our joy and divided our sorrow by sharing stories and memories, meals, cards, and countless other acts of kindness in helping prepare for her services. May all go forward in God s grace with the same thankful and kind spirit modeled by Mom. Betty Jean McConnell Hart Family

5 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. - Isaiah 43:2 TRIPLETT UMC 838 Mazeppa Rd. Mooresville Spaghetti Dinner 5:30 pm Fresh Salad, Homemade Bread, Cobbler, Ice Cream, tea & coffee. MAY 20, 2017 Concert 7:00 pm DONATIONS ONLY KID ZONE This new kid s fellowship time began on Sunday, April 30th. Parents drop off their children at the check in station in the Old Fellowship Hall where teachers bring the children upstairs to the Sunday School Hallway. They enjoy guided free play stations until 10:00 am when the children are escorted to their Sunday School classes. While adults enjoy coffee, snacks and fellowship before the 9:45 am service or the 10:00 am Sunday School classes, kids get to fellowship with their friends. Please keep our homebound folks in your thoughts and prayers. We rejoice in our heritage.

6 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 SOUP KITCHEN: Volunteers please be at the soup kitchen by 8 am on Thursday, May 11th. Thank you for your willingness to serve. COMING SOON!! KEEP AN EYE OUT! WE WILL BE ASKING FOR FOLKS TO LET US KNOW IF THEY D LIKE TO BE PART OF A HIKING CLUB!! KEEP AN EYE ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT SHEET & WEBSITE. LOOKING AHEAD TO GRADUATION All those graduating from High School or College will be recognized on Sunday June 4th at the 11 am Worship Service. Those graduating and their families are also invited to a luncheon in their honor after the 11 am Worship Service in the CLC. YOUTH CALENDAR Sunday, May 7 5:00 pm UMY Supper by: Connie Kremar & Misty Thompson Sunday, May 14 Happy Mother s Day No UMY Sunday, May 21 5:00 pm UMY Supper by: Whit Gibson & Donna Kerns Sunday, May 28 5:00 pm UMY Supper by: Carla Norman & Lori Brawley JAM (Jesus and Me) JAM is on summer break, but will be back in the Fall. Thanks To all of our wonderful Volunteers Who give so much Love and time To this important ministry. LET S GO SKATING May 28 at 1:30 pm $5.00 All kids and their families are invited to an afternoon of skating on Sunday, May 28th. We ll leave the church at 1:30 pm for Statesville Skateland, and skate all afternoon. Cost is $5.00 per skater. Sign up on Kid s Ministry bulletin board in the Narthex Hallway. THE CASE FOR CHRIST Come, Be Inspired! You know what you believe. Now come and discover the evidence for why. Facts don t lie! Discover the real evidence of Jesus death and resurrection. Whether you have questions, are a new believer, or have been a Christian your entire life, you will be touched by the true story of an award-winning investigative journalist an avowed atheist who applies his well-honed journalistic and legal skills to disprove the newfound Christian faith of his wife...with unexpected, life-altering results. Sundays, 8:30, 9:14 & 11 a.m.

7 Our prayers and thoughts are extended to the family of Betty Jean Sherrill McConnell Hart. Betty Jean passed April 9, Please keep the family in your prayers. May Anniversaries Tommy & Julie Weeks 05/08 Bruce & Shari Dilday 05/27 Mike & Debbie Dube 05/09 Rob & Aimee Downing 05/30 David & Sylvia Lambert 05/13 MAY BIRTHDAYS: Dray Davis 5/2 Joe Ketchie Sr 5/10 Bill Roberts 5/22 Carolyn Crisco 5/29 Jerry Barnette 5/3 Caitlin Mercer 5/10 Mindy Sharpe 5/22 Tess Gunther 5/29 Gene Corriher 5/3 Buddy Millsaps Jr 5/10 Kenny Davis 5/23 Sidney Miller 5/29 Kevin Ketchie 5/3 Elizabeth Kurtz 5/11 Powell Oliphant 5/24 Joe Whitonis 5/29 Eric Spann 5/4 Dale McConnell 5/13 Barbara Smith 5/24 Jennifer Clemens 5/30 Brian Ervin 5/5 Zachary Conjelko 5/16 Elton Sloop 5/25 Brenda Goodman 5/5 Gary Davis 5/17 Philip Brown 5/26 Natalie Lambe 5/5 Frances Davis 5/18 Susan Mercer 5/26 Bryon Sloop 5/6 Toni Gabosch 5/18 Carson Spann 5/26 Athena Alvarado 5/9 Brett Goodman 5/19 Butch Brannen 5/27 Marilyn Matlock 5/9 Adrian Rivera 5/20 Dale Lambe 5/27 Joann Hudson 5/10 Susan Wiles 5/21 Dylan Barnette 5/29 Duncan Jones 5/10 Drew Kader 5/22 Rachel Cleek 5/29 END OF AN ERA Gift Card Update When our present inventory of cards has been depleted, we will NOT restock. We certainly want to thank all of our faithful shoppers who have supported this fundraiser since August 3, The profits from this program have generated approximately $18,500 for the Building Fund. Again, a BIG THANKS to all who purchased cards!! Please continue to stop and shop until all cards are sold. Prayer Requests: Sandy Murray, Matt McConnell, Leo Currence, Peggy Whitonis, Don Parker, Glenn Wilson, Carole Barnette, Gary Wilson, Sara Berg, Stephanie McConnell, Cecil Childers, Richard Wiles, Linda Wilhelm, Jim & Judy Workman, Rachel Brawley, Duncan Jones, Connie Brown, Lucille Washington, Betty Kerr, Jean Belk, Dean Nash, Barbara Edwards, Marcia Winters, Jacob Sartorius, Savannah Miller, Helen Kimbrell, Everett Goodman, Dale McConnell, Patricia Shinn, the House family, Bobby Miller, Tony Martin, Luther & Eleanor Johnston, Bailey Kay, David Wilson, Corey Jones family, Neil Morrow, Jenny Bost, Grace Cole, Nancy Davidson, Bill Griffith, Charles & Awanda Davis, Kathie Albright, Mitch Brawley, Sherlock & Debbie McCombs, Arlene Smith, Felix Bautista, Dr. Michael Land, Carolyn & Joe Ketchie, Jack & Barbara Murdock, Joe Sloop, Isis Ellis, family of Wayne McConnell, Vic Garrett, Richard Griffin Sr, Mike Ridgeway, John Hill, Larry Smith, Missy Eddleman s Dad, Bacio family, Burch family, Swanson family, Hammen family, Brenda (Bostian) Davenport, Plevel family, family of Betty Jean S.M. Hart.