News of New Hope. Strength Hidden in Weakness. New Hope United Methodist Church 200 E New Hope Road Goldsboro, NC

Transcription

1 News of New Hope P eople love winners. It feels good to get behind those on the winning side. I was at the University of Kentucky when the men s basketball team won championships in 1996 under Rick Pitino and again in 1998 when they won under Tubby Smith. Coach Smith would remain with the team for the next 9 years. During that time, Coach Smith would win 5 SEC Championships, win the coach of the year 3 times, and compile a winning percentage of 76%. By 2006, Coach Smith had not reached a Final 4 game since the championship in After 9 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Team Reports 2-3 Visioning 5-6 Prayer Ministry 7 Pastor s Report 8-9 Sports 10 Celebrations 10 Stewardship 11 Pastor s Pen 12 New Hope United Methodist Church 200 E New Hope Road Goldsboro, NC Strength Hidden in Weakness (Matthew 21:1-11) A meditation honoring Palm Sunday Sunday Schedule Sterling House (Communion on 1st Sunday) 9:30 Awakening Prayer Partners 10:00 Sunday School (all ages) 11:00 Morning Worship & Children s Church (ages 3-8) 6:00 Handbell practice years of missed opportunities, Coach Smith made the local news because someone placed a For Sale sign in his front yard. The message was clear. We re behind you only when you re winning. The same man that had received cheers and standing ovations was now drawing the cold shoulder. Where would Coach Smith go and what would become of his family? Who cares? Only winners are given the honor of common courtesy. In 2007, Coach Smith made national news when he resigned his position after all the (Continued on page 7) Parents Anonymous 4:30 Scouting Meetings Mon. Cub Scouts 6:30 Tues. Venture Crew 7:00 Tues. Scout Troop 8 7:00 Thurs. Girl Scouts 7: Mar 1: Scout followed by Soup & Sandwich Fundraiser Mar 2: Bible 7 pm Mar 3-6: Mom s Morning Out@ 9-1 Mar 3: 7:30 Mar 4: Betsy Edwards Class Western 12 Mar 4: Parents 4:30 Mar 5: Lenten 10:00 with Rev. Jim Huskins Mar 5: Finance 7 Mar 9: Bible 7 Mar 10-13: Mom s Morning Out 9-1 Mar 11: Parents 4:30 pm Mar 12: Lenten 10:00 with Rev. Jim Huskins Mar 12: 6:30 Mar 12: Church 7 Mar 14: Upward 9 Mar 16: Bible 7 Mar 17-20: Mom s Morning Out 9-1 Mar 17: Women of New 7 Mar 18: Parents 4:30 Mar 19: Lenten 10:00 with Rev. Jim Huskins Mar 20: News deadline for March Newsletter Mar 21: Upward 9 Mar 21: Fair Booth 3 Mar 23: Bible 7 Mar 24-27: Mom s Morning Out 9-1 Mar 25: Parents 4:30 Mar 26: Lenten 10:00 with Rev. Jim Huskins Mar 28: Upward 9 Mar 29: Palm Sunday Mar 30: Bible 7 For full calendar visit

2 Share the Dream Various members of the congregation have been sharing their dream for New Hope UMC on Sunday mornings. The dreams of long-time members are not much different from those of more recent members to bring the hope of Christ to Goldsboro. Providing a safe, warm place for children, teens, and adults to meet is one small part. Paying off the mortgage can be a reality. The goal was set for a special mortgage burning to be held during Homecoming in the fall. Thanks to all who have Caught fire and have been giving generously to the Burn the Note effort. Watch the thermometer climb! ~Larry Filion, Trustee Chair UMM Plans for 2015 An enthusiastic group met for the first meeting of the Fair Booth Team, held on February 15th. Procedures and guidelines were discussed and a list of maintenance needs and renovations was outlined. The next meeting will be at 3 pm on Saturday, March 21. If you would like to join this team please let John Potter and Larry Filion know. The 12 volunteers for Adopt A Highway picked up 19 bags of litter this month. Please give a Hoot and Don't Pollute :) A very expensive camera was found in the Boyette building a couple months ago and has not been claimed. Please pass it on to everyone that may have been in the building. See Larry Filion for more details. ~Larry Filion, Acting President Women of New Hope The next meeting of The Women of New Hope will be March 17th at 7 pm. It will be a great way to celebrate St. Patrick s Day. ~Doris Offield President Venture Crew/ Young Folks The Venture Crew celebrated Taco Tuesday at La Paz on February 24th. Young people are welcome to join in the activities for fun, fellowship, and mission work. ~Doris Offield A Note From the Keys and Bells Easter is around the corner! The Music Media Ministry is working on music for the glory of God! The Ringers of New Hope are scheduled to ring one Sunday a month. We want to lift up our dear faithful choir member, Greg Forrester, who has undergone some procedures recently and has not been able to join us in the loft. Please keep Greg and his family in prayer. Thanks so much for all the support and encouraging words that you give to the dedicated musicians of our church. We do what we do to lift up our Lord Jesus Christ and bring Him glory! Blessings to you all! ~Hope Porter, Director of Music Ministries (Continued on page 3) Soup and Sandwich Lunch March 1 Donations will go towards the mortgage Burn the Note campaign Page 2 Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. March 2015

3 TEAMWORK From the SEC! Thank you to all who contributed to the meals for the family of Mary Ellen Merritt. Sharing of God s love through giving of your time and talents is a blessing to the giver as well as to the recipients. March 1 is the next Special Event. We ll be serving homemade soup and sandwiches, as well as deserts. Donations will be accepted and go towards the Burn the Note campaign. To God Be the Glory! ~Lainey Jacobs Special Events Coordinator Church Council "Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!" In an effort to cut back on as many meetings, the Church Council did not meet in February. The Pastor s Report and Treasurer s Report were distributed electronically. ~Respectfully submitted, Doris Offield Secretary Who s Who The church is a group of volunteers working together as disciples of Christ. Each fall, the Lay Leadership Team meets and compiles a slate of officers for the coming year. Who are the leaders of our congregation for 2015? Church Council Chair Dewey Offield Church Council Vice-Chair Mike Smith Lay Leader Doris Offield Lay Member Delegate to Annual Conf. -- Mike Smith Finance Committee Chair Frankie Sutton Board of Trustees Chair Larry Filion Church Treasurer Diane Kester President UMW Doris Offield President UMM Larry Filion Young Adult Representatives Katie Stilley & Andrew Ayres Recording Secretary Doris Offield Altar Guild Chair Becky Davis Children s Ministries Katie Stilley Financial Secretary Susan Filion Historian Debbie Sutton Prayer Ministries Team Leader Greg Forrester Scouting Coordinators -- Larry Filion & Becky Davis Spiritual Formation Team Leader Ed Porter Stewardship & Legacy Chair John McNeill Sunday School Superintendent Iris Cox Upward Lead Director Mike Acree Welcoming Team Representative ---- Ingrid Wharton Work Team Coordinator Larry Filion Worship Team Leader Debbie Sutton Youth Ministries Andrew Ayres Director of Music Ministries Hope Porter Nursery Coordinator Katie Stilley Special Events Coordinator Lainey Jacobs Be in prayer for leadership for 2015! Page 3

4 Mission Feature of the Month Our Venture Crew is unique because we partner with the children, youth, and young adults of New Hope. Many of our activities are either centered around this mission or being in partnership with the church. This year we have contributed not only monetarily but also with our labor for several of the church s ministries. We participated in Stop Hunger Now campaign to raise money for thousands of meals, and to actually pack those meals to send to countries where this may be the only meal that child will eat all day. The Venture Crew planned, organized and was responsible for the December Extravaganza which centers around children, with a Santa Shop where children can purchase a gift for someone besides themselves for under $1. The gift is then gift bagged, labeled and ready to put under their tree. We include desserts, face painting, photo opportunities, the children provide entertainment as well as some young adults and of course a visit from Santa. All the money raised went to the church. The Venture Crew donated $250 to help pay for the heat pumps that had to be replaced in the Boyette building even though we do not meet in that building, our brother and sister scouts do. The youth/young adults matched that donation with $250. Our young folks are on the honor rolls of local high schools and colleges. They do a balancing act with jobs, sports, dance, clubs and so on. We are very proud of them! Our leaders and young folks show their leadership in areas such as choir, bell choir, Bible Studies, Sunday School teachers, giving devotion at a local nursing home, acolyte coordinator, Children s church leader, train people on CPR and first aid, serve on the State Search and Rescue Team, assist with Adopt a Highway pick-up, Upward sports ministry and much more. They do this while going to school and maintaining good grades, showing good leadership skills and working at jobs and serving military and civilian duty to our county. Future plans for the Venture Crew are in the planning stages. Activities include camping, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, a trip to the Outerbanks to see the wild ponies and to explore that area. Some would like to go whitewater rafting, rock climbing and zip lining. With this age group coordinating schedules is a challenge. Whatever they decide to do we know one thing for sure, we will continue to partner with the church to serve children, youth and young adults and assist with molding them into good leaders and great, loving caring people. Page 4 March 2015

5 VISIONING: Discipline of Response 15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God. 16 Jesus replied: A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, Come, for everything is now ready. 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me. 19 Another said, I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me. 20 Still another said, I just got married, so I can t come. (Luke 14, NIV) W e often self-select ourselves out of God given opportunities. Several years ago I felt the urge to sing a classic solo, available in most hymnals. My spirit was willing, but my preoccupied mind quickly forgot. About three Sundays later, I heard a familiar song that immediately brought pleasure and then pain. It was the exact song the LORD had laid upon my heart! It was at that moment I knew I had missed a Divine opportunity. Was this chance or Providence? It was a large church, with many able soloists. There were hundreds of grand musical selections at their fingertips. The old standbys had been eclipsed by a newer sound. Either God wanted to hear that tune, or He wanted the congregation to hear its message. I suspect He wanted me to experience the joy of singing. What I did learn was that God has other able bodied servants some more willing. Jesus provides this parable concerning the Great Banquet, to prepare us for the end times. The parable speaks directly of eternal consequences; yet it also has practical implications for our day to day living. We set a pattern in our daily lives that responds to God, or omission causes a pattern of missteps and missed opportunity. It warns the people of God to listen up. If we don t listen now, we are likely to miss great opportunities later. In childlike manner, our ears need to stay alert for our Father s voice. There are two common ways to politely refuse God. The obvious is excuses. People make excuses for things they don t want to do; they make time for the things they truly want to do. (Author Unknown) Christ implores us to make time for God! The second is a delayed response. A delay equates to a disguised no to our Sovereign God. The only correct answer is an immediate positive response. This year I am reading Richard J. Foster s Celebration of Discipline. There seems to be a drawing toward new paths of spiritual growth. I am reading more for life change, rather than new information. Much like that prior prompting to sing, I sense another Divine opportunity. I don t want to miss this one! Thus, this article represents my yes. I suspect the first discipline we must all learn is to set our responsive heart upon the LORD. What is the appropriate response to Christ s parable? I think the lyrics to Trading Our Sorrows ( provides the simple response: We say Yes, Lord; yes, Lord. Yes, yes, Lord ~Chaplain Al Thompson Page 5

6 Do You Blog? What is blog, you may ask. According to the handy dandy Wikipedia: A blog (a truncation of the expression weblog) is a discussion or informational site published on the World Wide Web and consisting of discrete entries ("posts") typically displayed in reverse chronological order (the most recent post appears first). Time was when a person needed to know some sort of code or programming language to present things on the Web; but today there is software to help in communicating thoughts and ideas. Lenten/Easter Worship Schedule February 18 Ash Wednesday service 7 pm February 26-April 2 Lenten Study am March 30 Palm Sunday Service 11 am April 2 Maundy Thursday Service 7 pm April 3 Good Friday Service 7 pm April 5 Sunrise Service 7 am Some may remember how our pastor Todd, just a 4 1/2 years ago would post his experiences each day in his bog. It was Todd who helped name the church s website Gotnewhope.org. Now, the website has gone through a few changes and needs some helpers. Places have been readied for team leaders and/or their creative writers to tell their story about their team, their activities, and their dreams. Who likes sports? Soccer? Softball? Basketball? Flag football and cheerleading? Who has a passion for scouting? Cubs? Boy Scouts? Venture Crew? Brownies? Girl Scouts? Page 6 What about caring ministries? History of the church and highlights of members? editor@gotnewhope.org to learn more and blog, blog, blog April 5 Thank you! This winter we collected shoes and socks for children in need at Tommy s Road Elementary School. The Carolyn was very appreciative of the gifts we delivered. She expressed her gratitude for our continued Easter Cantata Service10:30 am News of New Hope The News of New Hope is published by New Hope United Methodist Church for members, visitors, and others interested in the activities and mission of the church. For submissions of articles, announcements, or interviews, you may editor@gotnewhope.org or drop them by the church office. Church: Staff: Diane Kester, Editor Lindsay Krochta, Sports Editor Janice Rouse, Church Secretary Websites: District Web Site: March 2015

7 Prayer for Healing Andrew Short Betty Acree Bill & Hilda Britt Carla Bedford Charlie Marshall Dean C. Lawson Debbie Smith Dock & Fairy Crumley Donna Vick Doug Davis Eugenia Brooks Greg Forrester Jane Fields Janis Baron Jennifer Jenkins Jerle Turner Prayer Ministry Jim & Denise Mullen Larry Filion s parents Linda Potter Margaret Edmonds Margaret Wells Mark Reid Matt Poland Millie Smith Pam Magliochetti Preddy Yates Robin Hicks Rose and Ray Hicks Will & Ileen Davies Prayer for Bereavement Family and friends of Mary Ellen Merritt Prayer for Thanksgiving Pastor Steve Wellman & family The New Hope church family Upward Sports Ministry Sunday School Ministry New Hope s Scouting Ministry Youth & Young Adult Ministry Ringers of NH & Chancel Choir Prayer for Intercession Members of our armed forces Andrew Ayers PFC Donald Kester, Jr. Logan Turner Blake Turner Pvt. Joseph Wilson NHUMC Sunday School ministry Our expected expenses (Continued from page 1) negative publicity and pressure. He remains in sports history as one of the most successful coaches to resign. On paper, he had achieved a number of impressive wins, but from public perceptions, he didn t win enough, nor did he win the games that mattered most. On Palm Sunday, we celebrate Jesus triumphal entry. At least on this day, when Jesus entered, He was greeted with a hero s welcome. The people received him as if He was a winner. They were convinced He was the Messiah, the chosen one, who would bring deliverance from all their enemies, and restore their place as a national power. In less than a week s time, the same people who were shouting out, Hosanna in the highest! will call out Crucify Him! All it took was a few days for the population to decide Jesus was not the Messiah they were looking for or wanted. He may have been a winner, but He didn t win the one that mattered most. Palm Sunday is a lesson of misplaced expectations. It s also an example of great irony. In reality, Jesus was far more powerful than anyone could have imagined. And yet, He came with His power concealed in weakness. The King doesn t enter showcasing His privilege with obvious display. Rather, He enters on a donkey, looking more like a butler than royalty. Jesus was God made man; however, His divinity was hidden by weakness. There s a common misunderstanding in Christian teaching that God is never hidden. This isn t exactly true. While the Bible does promise that those who seek Him will find Him when you seek Him with all your heart, it is also true that we see through a mirror darkly. In my own prayer life, if I m not careful, my expectations are like the crowd on Palm Sunday. I m ready to receive Jesus as long as Jesus rides into my life, meeting my needs the way I d meet my own needs. Jesus comes to teach us that power is made perfect in His weakness. The passion of Jesus reverses human expectation. We operate under the belief that Jesus will take our weakness and make us strong on the world s terms. Instead, Jesus takes our false power and makes us humble by the world s standards. For it s through Him that our true strength is perfected by weakness. ~Steve Wellman, Pastor Page 7

8 Pastor Steve s Top-10 for March Let s Burn the Note So far our goal to payoff the mortgage by July is progressing better than anyone could have hoped. Only 1 month into the project and we are already more than 70% of the way there. From the beginning, our vision was to inspire people of all ages and to rally the congregation around a common mission. We re grateful for all the gifts that have been given and all the sacrifices which have been made to achieve this worthy dream. Learning One to the Power of One At one of the planning meetings in January, I believe it was Frankie Sutton who suggested it would be helpful if we could devote time to learning how to grow as witnesses for the faith. Bill Hybels is the pastor of Willow Creek Church in Illinois that blossomed in precisely this way. Perhaps it would be helpful for us in our respective committees to read some of his insightful books together. Let me suggest Just Walk Across the Room: Simple Steps To Pointing People to Faith for Council, Holy Discontent: Fueling Fire that Ignites Personal Vision for Finance, and Becoming a Contagious Christian for SPRC. All of these books are modest in length and we could devote to reading them gradually over the course of Testimonials Inspire Tithing I recently came across an interesting article that discussed the most productive thing a church can do to stimulate tithing. The answer was simple. For a few minutes before collecting offering, let persons of all ages have a moment to share a brief testimony about what they ve learned about God through giving. The best way to stimulate tithing is for people to catch the fire from people they know best and can relate to. There is power in giving witness to the blessings God bestows upon us. It s impossible to out give God! Special Offering For Lent Next Wednesday, February 18th, the Lenten season will begin. As we think about a special offering for this season, let us consider a ministry that people will find meaningful. When I think about local options, I find United Church Ministries an attractive possibility. There s also the option of resuming our giving toward the Stop Malaria campaign, which is still underway. The conference website indicates we are about halfway toward the 1 million dollar goal the conference would like to achieve by June. Chaplain AL Thompson Nomination to Chair SPRC When we entered the 2015 year, we knew going in that the SPRC committee would need a long-term solution. Grover agreed to help us in the short term, but we are now prepared to move forward with the nomination of Al Thompson who has agreed to accept the role. Once the Council affirms this nomination, his placement will become official. Prayer Chain Back Up Greg s family tells me that if all goes well, Greg will hopefully return to us by Easter Sunday! We all know he s been dearly missed. One area we have felt his absence is with the prayer chain. While Greg is on the mend, Doris has agreed to assist with the prayer chain. Let us continue to encourage others to step forward to lend hands to this vital ministry. Daytime Lenten Bible Study Through the Lenten season we will offer a daytime Bible study on Thursdays from 10:00-11:00, beginning on Thursday, February 26th, and concluding on Maundy Thursday, April 2nd. Our very good friend, Rev. Jim Huskins has agreed to lead these studies. We d love to give this opportunity our fullest support. Preparing for Summer Ministries Now is the time to begin thinking about our upcoming Summer ministries. Christian Soldier has the VBS kits available for display so we can consider the theme we d like to do. Also, we can discuss the possibility of our 3rd annual Patriotic Cantata. Any other suggestions to sustain the summer months are gladly appreciated and invited. Lenten Season We will begin the celebration of the Lenten season with a special service on Ash Wednesday, (Continued on page 9) Page 8 March 2015

9 at 7:00. The sermon series this Lent gets its inspiration from Rick Warren s Celebrate Recovery. Our theme focuses on how God changes lives. Celebrate Recovery is a Christian version of the AA steps program. As we walk with Jesus down the Via Delarosa this year, we will consider the ways recovery may visit our hearts and homes. Scout Sunday This year s Scout Sunday celebration is on March 1st. Once again we will combine the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts into a unified celebration. One of the highlights of this year will be the baptism of Amelia Elizabeth Coltrane, the daughter of Joshua and Colleen Coltrane. Both Joshua and Papa Glenn were Eagle Scouts so this occasion seemed just right. We will enjoy a soup-sandwich meal afterward. The proceeds from this meal will go toward paying off the mortgage. Let s commit together to make this day grand in every way! Putting Talents to Work Someone asked me the other day what there was to do around here. My mind started swirling around and I just didn t know where to start. What do you think are your gifts, things you do well or like to do? I replied. After a long pause I began to make some connections. Play sports? - Come out on Saturday mornings and join the volunteers at Soccer. Cook? - Volunteer for one of the Cooks for Christ teams. Musical? - Join the choir or handbell choir always room for one more. Read? - Volunteer to read to a shut-in or to children at a school. Write? - Write a column or contribute to the News of New Hope. Talk to people? - Volunteer for Wheels on Meals or Sunday morning greeter. Still nothing suits your fancy? Stop in and talk to Pastor Steve. He s always aware of where people are needed. Boy Scout Troop 8 Calendar Mar 01 Scout Sunday New hope UMC 10:30 am 01 Patrol Leader s Council Scoutmaster House 3pm 03 Scout Meeting New Hope UMC 7pm 05 Torhunta District Roundtable St Paul UMC 7pm OA Spring Ordeal / Fellowship Camp Tuscarora 5pm 07 Pinewood Derby TBD TBD 10 Scout Meeting New Hope UMC 7pm 14 Webelos Cross-Over (Weekend One) Camp Tuscarora 5pm 17 Scout Meeting New Hope UMC 7pm 20 NHUMC Newsletter Deadline New Hope UMC 1pm Woodbadge Weekend 2 Camp Tuscarora 5pm Bentonville Battlefield 150 th Anniversary Bentonville, NC 6pm 23 Ham Orders Due Council Office 5pm 24 Scout Meeting (Last Day for Awards) New Hope UMC 7pm 28 Webelos Cross-Over (Weekend Two) Camp Tuscarora 5pm 31 Court of Honor / FOS Presentation New Hope UMC 6:30pm Page 9

10 Share the Dream Share the Dream SPORTS Lindsay Krochta, Reporter Upward Soccer Upward soccer has begun! Soccer is the world s most popular sport. Upward soccer introduces young athletes to the game at an early age and helps build their skills, speed, strength, and stamina. The vision of the program is to see Upward Soccer plays develop mentally, athletically, spiritually, and socially, into total athletes who excel both on and off the field. At last report there are over 60 players. The teams have been formed and are practicing weather permitting. Coaches have been found for all teams, but we could still use volunteers for referees and concession stand assistance. Games begin March 15. Please plan to come out and support our Upward Soccer players. New Hope Men s Basketball Team Men's Basketball season has begun at Community Baptist Church. Come out and support the team! Two regular season games are left. 3/3 vs Grace Fellowship 3/12 vs GWC Playoffs begin March 16 with the championship game on Saturday March 21. March Birthdays 3/26 Roger Lewis 3/27 Nancy McNeill 3/30 Bob Boyette 3/1 Frankie Sutton, Jr. 3/7 Debi Young 3/8 Greg Forrester 3/9 Brianna Sutton 3/17 Adam Piwowarski 3/19 Linda Tozier 3/20 Lindsay Krochta 3/22 Ben Merritt 3/24 Conner Piwowarski In March 3/6 Cindy & Josh Price Page 10 March 2015

11 (Continued from page 12) a life of masochism where we enjoy our own pain. Rather than cowardliness, our natural instinct to avoid suffering is normal. As the cross loomed large over Jesus, His initial impulse was to ask God for deliverance. If it be your will, let this cup pass. In II Corinthians 12, Paul offers a testimony about his own prayer life. He had a painful thorn of the flesh. Paul nowhere specifies what this thorn was. Commentators have speculated in all kinds of directions. Some have wondered if it was dreadful physical handicap, especially since Paul traveled with Luke who was a physician. Others have wondered if it was a relational loss. A person could only be a Pharisee if married, so this would suggest Paul was married at one time. Nowhere is a wife mentioned, so does this mean she was deceased, and Paul still suffered from grief he couldn t get over? Scripture doesn t mention the problem, because the specifics don t really matter. Any of us can identify. We all know what it is like to have an area of life that we plead to have re- moved. Notice Paul doesn t begin His prayers the first time, the second time, nor the third time with, Give me a If it be your will, let this cup pass. grace to endure. Only after three times does Paul receive the answer, My grace is sufficient. Up until then, Paul prayed with great determination, If it be your will, let this cup pass. Scripture promises us that Jesus identified with human weakness in every way. The same aversion to pain we experience, He also experienced. When trouble was on the horizon, it is comforting to know that Jesus impulse was not to grit teeth and walk through the fire. He prayed for deliverance. There is no shame in asking God for deliverance. When we re in trouble, we are assured our prayers are as human as Jesus were. However, if we want to experience the passion of Jesus, at some point in prayer, we must also say, Not my will, but yours be done. Grace to endure will come. Stewards of God s Gifts Stewards of God s Gifts January February, 2015 Budgeted for Income $ 31, Giving Received $ 20, Expenses to date $ 26, Balance $ 6, Paid in kind local benevolences $1, Local benevolences $51.41 Safe Sanctuaries $34.00 Scouts religious training $ Upward sports field $56.36 Programming $ Utilities $1, Special giving this year Burn the Note $ 20, Capital improvements Charitable insurance donation Memorial: Mary Ellen Merritt Memorial: Rick Offield Memorial: Sue Coltrane Stop Hunger Now United Church Ministries Upward registration 3, Page 11

12 Pastor s Pen by Steve Wellman Let This Cup Pass Luke 22:39-46 (A Meditation Honoring Passion Week) When I take an honest account of all the times in my life when I ve been in trouble, what kind of prayers do I pray? I must admit that I m no spiritual ultimate fighter. Lord, give me endurance to deal with this pain. Lord, inspire me with strength to walk with this problem. Lord, grant me the patience to bear this burden. These words aren t even close. My first reaction is always the same. Deliver me! Get me out of this! Spare me! I want to know God is a healer, but I just don t want to ever get sick. I want to know God is a defender, but I just don t want to ever have my back against the wall. I want to know God is a provider, but I don t want to ever go without. When there s trouble on the horizon, my impulse is not to ask for help to persevere, but it s for a trap door that I can dive through as an escape hatch. There was a time when I d experience guilt and shame for prayers I associated with cowardliness and spiritual weaklings. For those who can identify, perhaps a closer reading of the Garden of Gethsemane story is needed. Even Jesus when He faced trouble, didn t flex His muscles, and ask for a grace to triumph. Whoever prays this as a first prayer isn t a saint, but a glutton for punishment. Nowhere does Scripture commend this kind of mentality. Disciples aren t called to (Continued on page 11) The News of New Hope New Hope United Methodist Church 200 East New Hope Road Goldsboro, NC Pastor: Rev. Stephen M. Wellman Music Director: Hope Porter Secretary: Janice Rouse: secretary@gotnewhope.org Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 am - 1 pm NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID GOLDSBORO, NC PERMIT 401 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED One to the Power of One. Scout Sunday March 10:30 Soup and Sandwich March 12 ish