Generosity & Fake Emails

22^nd Sunday after Pentecost in Ordinary Time | All Saints Day | October 28, 2020

Just these lines, my friends …

… to say thanks be to God for the following persons who have committed to sharing the adventure of deepening their relationship with Matthews United Methodist (MUMC) through membership: Larry & Melinda Jones (grandparents of the incomparable Hunter Adcock) and Allen & Cathy Sue Robertson.  Please join me in welcoming these our newest members.

If you missed my sermon “So You Want to Spend Another Night with the Frogs” from Exodus 10, you can watch it here.

As numbers of infections begin to rise nationally again, we will watch our local metrics diligently. I remind you to please take the necessary precautions not only for yourself but also for others’ sake. I ask you to adhere to the mask protocols and the other advisories so that we may continue onward togetherwith our variety of ministry efforts.

By the way, Karen and I are new grandparents. On Saturday morning, October 24, our daughter, Molly Perdue and her husband, Ben, gave birth to Lennon (Lenny) Payne Perdue. This is our 4^th granddaughter born in the last 25 months. Karen is already in Cary taking care of all of them.

I hope you’ll take the time to watch my devotional video for today, titled A Little Sage Wisdom from John Wesley during an Election Year. Click here or watch on our Devotions Channel.

Generosity and Fake Emails

Every once in a while, I learn from some of you that someone is pretending to be me and is creating fake emails and putting my name and title on it to get you to do something. These digital phishing scams attempt to prey on our relationship by having you send electronic gift cards to them in order to sell them. It is a form of deception, manipulation, and theft. (This is the reason you do not see email addresses listed on our website, but contact forms instead.)

I get angry when I find out about these emails. It upsets me because I don’t take for granted the sacred trust we have as pastor and congregation. You are so responsive and generous to the needs of our community. You have been so faithful, especially during this overwhelming year, to support the church’s mission as we seek creative ways to love our neighbors in Matthews/Charlotte and around the world.

For example, I learned recently about one man in our church who lost his job for several months but has continued his generosity to the church to remind him that all things come from God and that he never wants to lose sight of that reality.

In addition, a new couple to our church is making the work of the church their priority in financial giving. This priority stems from the recognition of God’s goodness in their lives as well as the hope that they might be a help to others impacted by the pandemic’s disruption.

This email is not a phishing scam, but as your pastor, I do need your help. As we look forward to 2021, I need your highest engagement, commitment, and participation in this year’s generosity/stewardship season. We are calling this generosity season Onward Together … with Love. Please check out our annual generosity campaign here.  Commitment cards are being mailed to homes this week…plan to return your estimate of giving for 2021 on Joash Chest Sunday, November 15, 2:00-3:00 in the Sanctuary parking lot. Click here to see some of the incredible ways you are restoring hope, joy, and love in Matthews/Charlotte and around the world.

Thank you for the sacred trust that is our partnership.

Our Generosity FAQ

I’ve tried my hand at answering a number of questions many ask about generosity and stewardship. Questions like the following:

• Why did Jesus link our spiritual life so closely to financial matters?
• Why should a follower of Jesus be financially generous?
• According to the Bible, how am I to give?
• How much should I give?
• Where should I give my tithe?
• Are members and attendees of MUMC expected to make a financial commitment?
• Why is tithing different from other Old Testament laws Christians don’t follow?
• If budgets are tight due to the pandemic, can time be considered part of the tithe?
• If we volunteer or give to other worthy causes, is that part of my tithe?
• Can I skip tithing and still be a good Christian?
• How do you tithe if your spouse is not a Christian?
• What if I can’t tithe this year?
• Why make a pledge?
• This looks like a big church. Does it really need my support?
• At MUMC, what is this thing called the Joash Chest?
• Can I give stocks, securities or other assets?
• Can I give electronically?

You can find my response to these questions on our website. Please click here.

Sign Up for an Advent Group

When I was doing an internship during my seminary days in Southern California, we had an important rallying cry, “You can’t go alone in So Cal!” That’s just as true in Charlotte and Matthews.

Especially, this year during Advent, you can’t go alone. Let’s make every effort to get connected. We’ve designed a rich and meaningful study for 4 weeks during the Advent season that goes right along with the Sunday sermons, titled The Many Moods of Christmas. If you want more information on how to take a step into one of our Advent belonging groups during the upcoming Holy Season, I encourage you to click here. You will be so glad you did.

A Word from our Director of Hospitality and Invitation

Meg Moore is our Director of Hospitality and Invitation. She offers a good word for all of us below:

“Invitation is more important than ever. Don’t you want to share the good news about our faith community? These are exciting times here at MUMC … despite challenges … we are still growing and doing. Our neighbors are noticing.  Here are a few tangible ways you can invite. 1) Share our devotions, worship services, children’s and youth activities on Facebook and Instagram. Don’t forget to make a positive comment when you do. 2) Be enthusiastic when you talk about the church. Many wonder what we are doing even though our buildings are closed. Direct them to our website or to me (Meg Moore – 704-815-1917). I’m having a lot of fun connecting with new folks. 3) Call someone you miss seeing at church. Let them know we care. Hospitality takes practice. Keep up the good work.”

Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

In these uncertain times, it’s now more important than ever for children around the world to know that God loves them and has not forgotten them! Although we are not meeting in person, we can still participate in evangelism and discipleship by packing a shoebox gift for Operation Christmas Child. We encourage you to pack a traditional box just like we have in years past. Boxes are available inside The Commons Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and in the Breezeway on Saturday and Sunday. Please return your packed box to The Commons, November 10-12 from 10 am-12 pm or 5-7 pm. Or you can pack a shoebox online by visiting the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Distribution link on the Global Impact page or by clicking here.

Together let’s get our shoebox gifts for boys and girls who need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ!

This Sunday (November 1) in Worship

I hope you’ll be with us for online worship this Sunday at 9:30 am (contemporary), 11:00 am (traditional) or 12:30 (Spanish-speaking).

This week in our CCH community gather for worship at 12:30 pm. Pastor Roldan will begin a new worship series, The Movement Has to Continue, preaching from Acts 3:4-7. His message is “We Have What We Need.” Pastor Roldan says, “I believe in these times the pandemic has changed our lives. Our only option is to make adjustments and continue onward together.”

I’m so excited to continue our generosity 2021 theme on Sunday titled Onward Together … with Love. You can watch the introductory video here. My sermon for All Saints Day/Sunday is titled “Heaven – Now and Then” from Revelation 7:9-17.  I’m not sure I’ve ever done a sermon on the subject of Heaven. I’ve spoken about it in hundreds of Memorial Services, but perhaps never have I made it my sole focus for Sunday morning. It seems appropriate to do so as we continue to explore generosity and remember those who have made their way to eternity.

And, as always, during these strange, uncertain and tumultuous days remember … God does God’s best work in moments like this.

Onward Together … with Love,
Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson II

Did you know that John Woodall, one of our worship leaders for the 9:30 contemporary service was awarded the UNC Charlotte Young Alumni Chapter’s 10 Under Ten Awards?  This award aims to recognize exceptional UNC Charlotte alumni who have graduated within the past ten years. Created in 2018, the award program shines a spotlight on graduates who are not only staking their claim in their professional careers, but who are also heavily involved in the community through volunteering and philanthropy. In turn, their commitment to giving back has made a significant impact on the communities where they live and work. Congratulations, John!

Did you know that the country of Belize is going through their 2nd shutdown, due to the pandemic?  Our ministry partner, Est/Her, helps women learn new skills through their artisan program. The women learn to sew and make jewelry for the tourist industry. Est/Her supports abused and at-risk women and young people within local communities through empowerment and education all by the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Your generous donations to our Global Impact Disaster Recovery/Relief program are helping sustain this ministry during a time when no tourists are in Belize.

Did you know that sixteen handbell ringers called MUMC Joyful Ringers have resumed rehearsals and music recording sessions in a socially-distanced environment in our Sanctuary for the purpose of making music to the glory of God?  Hear and see them at worship this Sunday, Nov. 1 as they ring “Hymn of Promise” for the prelude, and “As the Deer” to undergird the pictures of our saints.

 

Did you know that we held an informational Live With Leaders event this past Monday?  If you missed it, click here to watch.

Did you know that our website now features image links from the homepage to help visitors navigate into the website? The new search bar also appears above the highlighted events section.