Relaxed

13^th Sunday after Pentecost
Just these lines, my friends …

… to say that for our 9^th consecutive year we will be honoring and celebrating law enforcement on the 3^rd Saturday in August with our friends from Mt. Moriah, Matthews Presbyterian and Morning Star Lutheran. We call it Hug-A-Cop. Please plan to come by the Fellowship Hall at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church (381 Crestdale Rd.), this Saturday, August 17, anytime between from 3 pm to 6 pm to say thank you to the many law enforcement officers of our area and to grab a delicious meal with friends and family. It is always a special time of gratitude and community.

Sunday night was a beautiful and moving evening of instrumental music at MUMC. Imagine original music, inspiring patriotic songs, Chopin, Billy Joel, Pastor Roldan playing his trumpet and so much more. I hadn’t been home 5 minutes from the concert when I received the following email: “Just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed the concert tonight.  The wonderful variety of music and the talent displayed was amazing!” Thank you to all our Music and Worship Arts friends for sharing their gifts and graces with us. You can watch the concert here.

Toward the end of last week, I took a few more days of vacation. I was in the office early last week, but enjoyed worshiping Sunday online. Our worship leaders were outstanding, and Pastor Paul’s message … so inspiring. I always love hearing him put the Word into words. In case you missed his message, you can click here to worship.

2024 Capital Campaign & Questions We Hear You Asking

If you missed it, please link to the announcement here regarding our fall capital campaign for Sanctuary upgrades and read answers to Questions We Hear You Asking in the complete FAQs.

Q. Will the altar table be on wheels/castors for ease of movement?
Currently, there are sliders on the feet of the altar table, and with new smoother floor, it will be much easier to move the table.

Q. Will the new composite floor handle the weight requirements?
It will be the responsibility of the architect to ensure the choices made will meet weight requirement needs.

Video Devotional

Dallas Willard was once asked how he would describe Jesus in only one word. His answer may stun you. While Jesus is commonly described as loving, caring, a savior, and a giver, Dallas Willard chose the word relaxed. Click here to view today’s devotional.

New Music Ministry Associate

I’m so excited to announce to you our new Music Ministry Associate – Organist, Eon Malan. MUMC, this young man brings so much to our community. One of Eon’s stops along the way was St. Peter’s Cathedral in Hamilton, New Zealand. Rev. Wendy Scott was the Dean of Cathedral during that time and she says of Eon, “It has been a pleasure working with Eon and the gifts he offers to the church and wider community. He is fun and energetic, and I will miss him. I cannot speak more highly of him … I believe he will be an asset to any church or community …”  Please click here to read a little about Eon.

Heath Gilbert, Servant Leader for our Staff Parish Relations Committee says, “The SPRC is thrilled to welcome Eon Malan as our new organist and Music Associate. Eon, who is originally from South Africa, comes to us with a Master of Music in Organ from  Stellenbosch University in South Africa and he is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity in Pastoral Care and Counseling at Gardner-Webb University. His skills are significant and his credentials outstanding. We know that our congregation will be enraptured by his performances every Sunday. Eon is a true gem and we are fortunate to have him join us.”

Craig Estep, our Director of Music & Worship Arts says, “In the short time I have known Eon, I have found that he is not only an amazing person but also an outstanding musician. His love for church music, parishioners and Christian counseling lines up so beautifully with our church’s commitment to Reach, Teach, Praise & Serve and our Music & Worship Arts Department commitment to excellence. He has a kind and giving spirit, and I have total faith that he will be a wonderful addition to the life and ministry of our church.” 

Eon’s first day of leading us in worship from the organ will be September 1.

Upcoming Events

• Hug-A-Cop – This Saturday, August 17, Drop in 3-6 pm at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church to show gratitude to First Responders! For details & how to volunteer, click here.
• Community Forum: Churches in Our Community Working for Racial Justice – Tuesday, Aug 20, 7 pm at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist. Details
• Celebrating Kathy White – Join us at a reception for Kathy on Sunday, August 25 at 12:15 pm in the Commons, sponsored by the Music & Worship Arts department.
• Back 2 School Bash – Sunday, Aug 25 in large parking lot. Kids 3-5 pm & Youth 5-7 pm. Inflatables, food trucks, games & more! $15 per child, $50 max for a family 4+.
• Join one of our Short-Term Studies this fall, including In The Footsteps of a Savior on Tuesday mornings, Knowing Who We Are on Monday evenings, and The Good & Beautiful Community on Wednesday evenings. Details 

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) continues vibrant summer worship. Pastor Roldan’s sermon for Sunday is from Ephesians 2:8-10 and the title is Created for a Good Reason.

In all our morning sanctuary services, we are moving toward the conclusion of our summer journey (The Good Life … The God Life) through the Beatitudes, those peculiar exclamations with which Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount.

The text of a peace-filled hymn that we will sing on Sunday echoes:

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
            Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
            With God our creator, children all are we.
            Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.

            Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now.
            With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow:
            To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
            Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

Mahatma Gandhi was a man of peace. Mother Teresa was a woman of peace. Rosa Parks was a woman of peace. Cesar Chavez was a man of peace. Are you a person of peace? Was Jesus a person of peace?

These children of God, both Christians and non-Christians, were activists for peace, yet they were ordinary people like you and me. They changed the world dramatically by living their faith into action, peacefully. But Gandhi, Teresa, Parks, and Chavez had doubts and challenges to overcome in living a life of peace. The paths they walked were not paved in perfect harmony. The path we walk is not perfect either, yet we can always choose to live a life of peace.

This week, ­­­as we continue our summer series through the Beatitudes, we will take a closer look at Jesus call in Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” My sermon title is Waging Peace.

I hope you’re keeping an eye out for friends, neighbors, relative, acquaintances and new folks to our community who may not have a church home. Maybe they are looking to get settled before the school year begins. We have many opportunities at MUMC to help them find community.

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

Following the subtle, subversive and sublime Way of Jesus,  
Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson II

Did you know that John Woodall and Shannon Remley (of our Music & Worship Arts Ministry Team) led over 200 faculty & staff at Charlotte Christian School in worship one morning as they prepared for the start of school?  Leslie Niessner, MUMC member and Directory of Music/Arts at Charlotte Christian sent this note: “It was such a blessing to welcome John Woodall and Shannon Remley to campus this morning to lead over 200 faculty and staff in worship and prayer this morning at Charlotte Christian School. The leadership through worship by John and Shannon nourished our hearts to be sure! And while I know they don’t do what they do for accolades or praise from anyone other than God, I am singing their praises to you because I know you would have been so proud to see them lead in the greater Charlotte community the gifts God has blessed them with. I know I was!”

Did you know that MUMC has donated over 40 bibles to Home2Home Ministry to distribute  to the households that receive furniture? What a great way to spread the Gospel! Thank you, Home2Home!

Did you know that the United Youth Ministry celebrated many of our high school graduates on Sunday, August 11, following Youth Group with a special time of prayer and blessings to send them off into this next chapter of their lives – college, workforce, or the military? A special thank you to everyone who has played a vital role in the lives and spiritual development of these young people over the years.