Are There No Heros Left?

7th Sunday after the Epiphany | Global Impact Week 2
Just these lines …

… to say that the kick-off to our annual Global Impact Celebration was so good! I wouldn’t have wanted anyone to miss the amazing stories and powerful wisdom shared with us about trust: Jerry Anze (International Leadership Institute), Randy Mitchell (COS Kids), Natisha Rivera-Patrick (Habitat for Humanity), Trina Fullard (Charlotte Rescue Mission), Amy Carr (Matthews Free Clinic) and our very own Jessie Lindberg (MUMC member and Turning Point). I was so deeply moved and inspired. Perhaps Sunday you weren’t feeling well, or the early morning windstorm kept you away. You can worship with us anytime by clicking here.

You know…helping, fixing and serving represent three different ways of seeing the world. When you help, you see the world as weak. When you fix, you see the world as broken. When you serve, you see the world as whole. Helping and fixing may be the work of ego, BUT … Global Impact is 100% about serving.

One of our biggest serve events of the year, Saturday Serve, is this Saturday, February 22. Please consider selecting an opportunity to serve at our partner locations on the registration link. (All ages can serve! More details in the mission section below.)

Our scripture emphasis for our Global Impact emphasis is Proverbs 3:5-7. Read these words from The Message:

Trust God from the bottom of your heart, don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God!

Video Devotional

You hear sometimes, now that we know the sordid details of the lives of some of our leading figures, that America has no heroes left. I’ve got a few thoughts I’d love to share with you this week. You can watch my devotional, Are There No Heroes Left?

 

2025 Global Impact Mission Celebration

** Due to the weather forecast for today, the Dessert Event with Kathy Izard, “Trust the Whisper” Author, has been postponed to Wednesday, March 19 in The Commons at 7pm

2/22 – Saturday Serve Day from 9am-Noon for individuals & families. Register

• Off-site: Register in advance to serve at one of nine local organizations that need a hand! (Some Age Requirements)
• On-site: Adults & children drop in The Commons between 9 am-Noon to make crafts, cards, treats & sandwiches for partner organizations. Please sign up, walk-ins welcome.
• Stop by The Commons after serving for an ice cream from the “Treats with Friends” truck!

2/23 – Speakers in Worship with a Focus on Western NC Disaster Relief

3/2 – Global Impact Life & Faith Commitment Sunday

 

The Season of Lent

Lent is just around the corner. I hope you are already making preparations. I love hearing from some of you about your observance of some Lenten disciplines: fasting, scripture reading, prayer, service and so much more.

• Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper – March 4, 5:00-7:30. Community pancake supper sponsored by United Youth Ministry. No reservation required, and all donations go towards helping youth and college students participate in Summer Mission Trips. Details
• Ash Wednesday Service – March 5, 7 pm in the Sanctuary. Rev. Dr. Joshua M. Noblitt will be our preacher (learn more about Josh here.) Our worship service will include the Imposition of Ashes.
• Draw Close: A Creative Lenten Group – Thursdays, March 6 – April 17, 11:00 am-Noon. Details & registration info here.
• Beginning Sunday, March 9, we will launch our Lenten Worship Series, Shaping the Virtuous Heart in all our morning worship services.

The 21st Century has been hard on the church. Long before the pandemic of the 2020s put the church in isolation for a year plus, the church was already weakened by declining numbers, denominational struggles over human sexuality, and increasing division along social and political lines. We wonder how we can go forward without a map.

I hope you’ll join us each week during Lent. For seven weeks (through Easter), we are going to dust off these practices of the heart. You can read more about this series here.

 

This Sunday in Worship

We invite you to join us this Sunday in person at 8:15 (Traditional), 9:30 (Contemporary), 11:00 (Traditional), or online at 9:30, 11:00 or 12:30 (Spanish – in person or here on demand).

This Sunday in CCH (our Spanish-speaking community), Pastor Roldan will be preaching from Hebrews 13:5-8, and his sermon title is Let Us Live with Confidence.

This week, in all three of our morning worship hours, we move into Week 2 of our Global Impact Celebration. In all three of our morning hours, we will hear from leaders of our United Methodist efforts to respond to the devastating torrential flooding in Western North Carolina. I’m hoping you will invite a friend to experience God’s work in and through United Methodists in the tragic outcomes of and hopeful responses to Hurricane Helene.

And now, as always, during these strange, uncertain, and yet hope-filled days. Remember … God does God’s best work in moments like this.

Trusting in the Whisper,
Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson II

 

Did you know that MUMC hosted ERT (Early Response Training) on Saturday, February 15? We had 15 area churches represented and 17 members of MUMC participated. UMCOR trainers led the session and members of the Western NC Conference Disaster Ministries assisted. Attendees practiced tarping a roof, ladder safety and learned about UMCOR best practices. They are trained and ready to be deployed for future storms.

Did you know that our Chain of Compassion Ministry called and mailed cards to 77 people and mailed supportive books to those who lost immediate family members in 2024? They also make sure we have ushers and reception servers in place at MUMC’s funeral and memorial services. These acts of care and love for those who have lost family members to death are such a blessing and are greatly appreciated.

Did you know that our own Cade Helms, a senior at CATA (Central Academy of Technology and Arts in Monroe) and a member of the adult choir is playing the role of Jean Valjean in their school’s production of Les Misérables? Cade will be starting his Music Theater degree in the fall. Break a leg, Cade! Ticket info here.

Did you know that, even during the relighting and addition of new fixtures in the Sanctuary, ministry still happens? Below is a photo of Joyful Ringers playing around the giant cherry picker last Wednesday night at rehearsal.