The Word Jumped Off the Page

18th Sunday after Pentecost
Just these lines, my friends …

… to say that it was a beautiful day of worship in all our Sanctuary services on Sunday. We continued with Week #2 in our worship series, Finding Peace as a Purple Church.

The idea for this series on The Purple Church came from a study conducted by The Divinity School at Duke University. The study reported that congregations within The United Methodist Church in North Carolina are theologically and politically diverse, thus creating a “purple church” which reflects our deep diversity. The study also indicated that United Methodist churches remain one of the very few institutions in American society where people from different political persuasions can build deep and meaningful relationships with each other. Hence, in a polarized and often toxic political climate, MUMC (along with other UM churches) is positioned to advance the ministry of Jesus by creating a beloved community that bridges political and theological divides.

In my sermon on Sunday, I offered the following: “We (MUMC) are a Purple Church. Remember, in political language, we’re not a red church, we’re not a blue church, we are a purple church. We strive to be a community as diverse and hospitable as God’s kingdom. In fact, we think that’s God’s design, and therefore, it is not inherently problematic. Instead, we are reminded in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Church at Ephesus that it is not actually our differences that divide us, but rather it is our hostility toward each other. Paul teaches us that Jesus is our peace, and through Jesus, the dividing wall of hostility between us gets removed, if we will allow it to be so.”

I concluded my sermon pointing to the Peace on Purpose Pledge that we will ask all of us to prayerfully consider this Sunday. It reads:

As an ambassador for peace within my family, my church, and my community, I pledge to:

1. Respect people who hold differing opinions than I do, even if I don’t agree.
2. Seek to understand others instead of trying to convince them of my point of view.
3. Move from hostility (arguing) toward harmony (understanding) in my interactions with others.
4. Resolve disputes with others nonviolently and in a posture of humility.
5. Resist any form of violence including words and actions that harm others.
6. Speak out against any forms of violence when I witness them privately or publicly.
7. Ensure my words and actions, privately and publicly (including on social media) reflect my love of God and my neighbors, as Jesus has commanded us to do.

If you missed my sermon from Sunday, please read Philippians 2:4-11 and then click here to worship.

Video Devotional

Presumptuous. The adjective took me by surprise. I was reading Psalm 19: “Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not get dominion over me; then shall I be whole and sound, and innocent of a great offense.” (Psalm 19:13) I hope you’ll listen to my devotional by clicking here.

2024 Capital Campaign: New Renderings & Updated FAQs

Link to the capital campaign announcement for Sanctuary upgrades and read the latest FAQs (updated September 17) for Questions We Hear You Asking, including the update to the most frequently asked question and new renderings highlighting the changes to the Chancel space below.

Q. Why add a lift vs. a ramp?

Many people asked about this during our Feasibility Study focus groups. After further review with the architects, the Building Committee decided that a ramp would actually be a better solution for the project. Everyone can use the ramp, regardless of their mobility and type of assistance (e.g., wheelchair, scooter, rollator, walker, cane). It also allows for multiple users, while the lift can only accommodate one person at a time. Once the ramp is installed, it should require no ongoing maintenance. A mechanical lift must be maintained and monitored for operability, which may incur additional costs. If the lift malfunctions, there would be no alternative accessibility to the Chancel area other than steps. Even though the ramp takes up more space, the Building Committee has determined that our Sanctuary will be able to accommodate it.

Review the Updated Architectural Renderings below to see a concept of the design for the entire space and the ramp on the right side of the Chancel.

To kick off our Dual General Fund & Beyond Hospitality Capital Campaign efforts, we’ll have ONE Combined Worship Oct. 20 at 10:30 am followed by family-style lunch with music, door prizes, videos & special guests! Above & Beyond Event

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 (Centro Cristiana Hosanna – CCH) began a new worship series this past Sunday titled Practical Apologetics. Pastor Roldan’s sermon for this Sunday is from Romans 2:13-16, and his sermon is titled We Have a Just God.

This Sunday, we conclude our 3-week worship emphasis, Finding Peace as a Purple Church. I hope to bring things together for us and conclude with the Peace on Purpose Pledge. I hope you’ll make every effort to be present for this important day of learning, growth, inspiration and commitment.

I have received many notes stating, “I’m so glad I found this church.” YOU are a big part of it all – the way you care, the way you love, the way you invite. As I said on Sunday, “There is nothing more powerful than the love of God. This holy love that calls you and me by name will never let us go. It is persistent. It is undying. It is unrelenting.” When you invite someone to MUMC, you are bearing witness to the incomparable love of God.

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

Finding Peace as a Purple Church,
Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson II

Did you know that Christa Tyson & Erik Trumpower (both members of MUMC) were married on Saturday, September 7? Pastor Chuck officiated the wedding. Congratulations, Christa & Erik!

Did you know that Home2Home Ministries picked up donations from Wesley UMC and delivered them to COSKIDS and Hoskins Park, two of our Global Impact partners? The donations included chairs, tables, books and musical instruments. We praise God for the generosity shown to COSKIDS and Hoskins Park as they serve those in our community. Blessings to Wesley UMC for the donations, and gratitude to the team that moved and delivered these items!

Did you know that Holden Hartley graduated from Basic Training with the United States Air Force on Thursday, September 12 in San Antonio, TX? His parents are Delonna Hartley and Michelle Hewitt-Hartley, and his siblings are Hayden, Hannah, Helena, Harrison and Hanson.