Practicing for Heaven

Practicing for Heaven

Published October 27, 2021

23th Sunday after Pentecost
Just these lines, my friends …

… to say that it was a good day across the life of our church this past Sunday: music by our Sanctuary Choir, John Woodall and our Praise Band, Woodwind Ensemble, Kathy White, a witness from Becky Yates, the reading of God’s word by Joe Robinson and Wes Broome, Amy Devore leading a learning session about matters at the border and so much more. My sermon was titled Engage in God’s Plan. A scripture verse we memorized was I John 4:17, “As Jesus is, so are we in this world.” You can watch the worship service here.

All this fall, we’ve been learning that when we engage, we pledge, we commit, we bind ourselves by engaging in practices that, if exercised over time, will enable to grow into a life that is centered on loving God and loving others. We do our best around Matthews United Methodist to remind you of these seven biblically-rooted, time-tested practices all the time.

In the spirit of a church united, we are going to have one worship service on Sunday, November 14 at 10:30 am. We are going to bring parts of all our worship services together into a beautiful blending. Click here for details & please don’t miss this inspiring time together. We will also be celebrating our Veterans. We’ll begin worship with Choir and Orchestra leading us in the Armed Services Melody, so don’t be late. We’d love for all our veterans to be able to stand at their song with their uniform. It is a powerfully moving moment. You will also have the first opportunity to view Roy Harrington’s GodStory.  This will also be the day we’ll make our financial commitments for 2022.

By the way, did you see the CBS News Report about an SOS that went up at a troubled high school in Shreveport, LA? And do you know who answered the call? A bunch of dads. Steve Hartman shares one of the best things I’ve seen in a long time. In a time of seemingly relentless gloom, there are genuine, glorious points of light. Please click here…you’ll be glad you did!

Wednesday Devotional

Click here to watch my “Practicing for Heaven” devotional for today.

This Sunday in Worship

We invite you to join us this Sunday in person or online at 8:15 am (traditional – in person only), 9:30 am (contemporary), 11:00 am (traditional) or 12:30 (Spanish – in person only).
In our Spanish-speaking CCH community, Pastor Roldan continues in the series, An Effective Stewardship. This Sunday he will be preaching bout the Rich Young Man from the Gospel of Matthew 19:16-26. His sermon title: Remove Your Limits.

This Sunday, we continue to Engage in all our morning worship services. My sermon is titled Engage in Giving from I John 3:16-18. You will also be blessed by the beautiful witness of Paige & Hunter Ross.

Finally, if you find yourself disillusioned by the craziness of the last 18 months, then you will find in our transforming community of faith called Matthews United Methodist the steady reliability of the one thing that is ultimately always true: the faithful love and grace of God, given to us in Jesus Christ. And at the end of the day, and now more than ever, it is still good to be the church.

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

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

Did you know that a group of 10 folks from MUMC, along with a group from St Simons Presbyterian Church, are in Newnan, Georgia this week on a mission trip to repair and rebuild homes following a tornado in 2020? Please pray for safe travels, safe work, and joyous spreading of the Gospel by being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Did you know that 76 people gathered in the Commons on Sunday for the Border Crisis Info Session? If you missed it, you can join the next session VIA ZOOM on Thursday, November 4 at 7:30 pm (Zoom link here). Hear from those that traveled to the border and learn about the immigration process. This session will be recorded.

Read below some of the amazing, thoughtful, inspiring reasons why our families support the life and ministry of Matthews United Methodist: 

  • “We engage in generosity in and through Matthews United Methodist because we enjoy, and feel it is our responsibility, to help others.” – Ken & Beth Merchant
  • “I engage in generosity in and through Matthews United Methodist because I trust and believe that it will be used according to God’s will and purpose.” – Pam Nelson
  • “Our intention is to tithe because we have been the recipients of so many blessings that we cannot count them all. We look at it that God tells us to keep 90% of what he gives us and asks that we share only 10% with Him. He is the One who is generous.” – Hank & Sandi Donaghy
  • “I engage in generosity in and through Matthews United Methodist because God commands us to tithe. God has always been uncannily faithful to supply all my needs and then some, worry free, when I tithe. And gifts, above and beyond tithing, are such fun to designate!” – Betsy Hutton