Pentecost

Pentecost | Sunday, May 28, 2023
Just these lines, my friends …

… to say that this Friday (5/19) was a holy, holy day with the Metro Prom. For the first time in three years (due to Covid), we were able to host 16 bus loads of high school age young people from the Metro School. The school serves approximately 250 students all of whom are cognitively disabled, ranging in age from 3 to 22. Many of the students have severe medical and physical needs; many of the students are in need of total physical care and assistance; and many have other multiple disabilities such as visual impairments, hearing impairments, and autism, in addition to their cognitive challenges. It was a gift for us to dance with and serve lunch to these wonderful students and their courageous teachers for a few hours at this precious Prom.

While the Gym was all decked out with decorations, Age-Level Ministries hosted our first-ever Second Chance Prom for Adults Friday night. People showed up from the church and community to dance and enjoy fellowship, some attending prom for the first time!

Then Sunday (May 21) brought even more of the holy as the young people of our Confirmation Class for 2023 made their entrance into the Church: Maxwell Alexander Achenberg, Wyatt Alan Yerg DeLapp, Alexander David Glasscock, Madison Reese Glasscock, Sawyer Cole McConnell, Jackson Tate Nurkin, Christian Michael Savage, Sienna Joy Thomas, Anna Royston Traetto, and Ryan Jacob Williams. A special welcome to these wonderful young people. I’m so excited to watch them grow in the adventure of following Jesus. If you missed worshipping with us, you can do so here. (For our 11:00 Confirmation service, click here.)

On Pentecost, we remember the beginnings of the church and the gift of the Holy Spirit. We remember that when the winds of the Spirit are blowing not much can get in the way to stop it. In fact, people begin to speak about amazing things happening. This Sunday let’s celebrate the birthday of the Church and expect some amazement as well.

Wednesday Devotional

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch my devotional for the week titled, Memorial Day and Patriotism.

Summer Worship Series to Begin on June 11

Do you need help in handling the impossible people in your life? Is your spouse a Wet Blanket? Is your neighbor a Gossip? Is your sister a Volcano? Is your co-worker a Competitor? Is your boss a Critic? Is your friend a Martyr? Is your boyfriend a Green-Eyed Monster? Is your brother a Control Freak?

Beginning June 11 in all our morning worship services, we want to offer practical suggestions, wise advice and helpful biblical insights to help us understand and cope with high-maintenance relationships.

June 11: The Challenge of Impossible People
June 25: The Volcano
July 2: The Cold Shoulder
July 9: The Wet Blanket
July 16: The Competitor
July 23: The Martyr
July 30: The Green-Eyed Monster
August 6: The Gossip
August 13: The Control Freak
August 20: The Critic

Offering of Letters for the Farm Bill

Bread for the World, one of the most respected works and ministries in the world, has alerted our Micah Connection to the Farm Bill. The Bill is our nation’s most important national food system legislation. It is critical to the work of ending hunger at home and abroad. The Bill provides $428 billion in various programs that support our farmers and food production in the U.S., but also includes the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). The Bill has been in place a long time but was created with a 5-year expiration. It must be voted on and renewed every five years. The current Farm Bill expires September 30, 2023. As you can imagine, there will be pressure to make cuts in funding the Bill. There is no piece of legislation that has more impact on the US food system and nation’s ability to provide healthy food at affordable prices for everyone.

An Offering of Letters is a Bread for the World effort to engage citizens in writing (or emailing) our respective Senators and Representatives to make our perspective known about policies and programs than can help end hunger in the U.S. and around the world. Please click here make your Offering of Letters or stop by the table in the Sanctuary Reception Area this Sunday between worship services.

“Speak up for those that cannot speak for themselves …
defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 31:8-9

This Sunday in Worship

We invite you to join us this Sunday at 8:15 am (traditional; in person only), 9:30 am (contemporary; in person or online here), 11:00 am (traditional; in person or online here) or 12:30 (Spanish; in person or on demand here).

Our Spanish-speaking community (CCH) will be continuing the worship series, Facing the Inevitable. Pastor Roldan’s sermon is titled: A Battle That Can Be Won from Galatians 5:16-23.

In all our morning sanctuary services, I have a very important Pentecost message for our church. My sermon titled: Does the Church Have to Change in Order to Remain the Same? You can prepare by reading Acts 2:1-13. I hope you’ll join us on Sunday as we seek to answer the question asked in the title of my sermon. In addition, I hope you’ll invite someone to our birthday party for the Church. Don’t forget to wear RED!

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

We are better … together,
Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson II

Did you know that Caroline West married Andrew Gross this past Sunday, May 20 in a ceremony in Monroe? Caroline grew up at Matthews UMC and is the daughter of Mike & Lois West. Congratulations, Caroline & Andrew!

Did you know that our Global Impact Missions is hosting a food drive through June 4? We are collecting non-perishable items (see list) to be placed in carts at Church Entrances. All items will be going to Common Heart, which provides food to hungry neighbors. Our GOAL is 5,000 LBS OF FOOD to fill the need from their food shortage.

Did you know that teams have adopted beds in the Genesis Garden? Ron Headen and Jim Cornell are already harvesting greens, lettuce and onions. They delivered their produce to COSKids, one of our local Global Impact partners. Thank you to our gardeners!

Did you know that our congregation donated $3100 for Disaster Relief for those impacted by storms in the Midwest? Your generosity will help repair and replace homes that were damaged. Thank you!

Did you know that members of the Anchored in Faith Sunday School Class and their families volunteered at COS Kids after church on Sunday, May 21? They cleaned out and filled two sand boxes, physically moved three tee pees and four event risers were put away. What a great way for this class to serve the community. Thanks to all who served!

Did you know that an MUMC team led by Ivan Johnson had a workday in Lumberton? This team is rebuilding and repairing homes damaged by storms. Stay tuned for the next day trip to Lumberton and join the team!

Did you know that families at the May Family Worship Service and in United Kids Sunday small groups created 90 “Spa in a Jar” kits for the ladies of Dove’s Nest, one of our local Global Impact mission partners?

Did you know that Bishop Ken Carter held a gathering of women clergy in The Commons at MUMC this past Monday? Dan Pezet (our District Superintendent) and Amy Coles (Assistant to the Bishop) were also present.