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Spiritual Development Worship Sunday School Bible Study Women’s Fellowship Preschool/elementary choir Adult Choir Community Involvement Mentoring Program Literacy Program Cub Scouts Girl Scouts WIC Elections A.A. Alumni Association |
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FUEL FOR THE MINISTRY In the movie City Slickers, Curly (Jack Palance) tells Mitch (Billy Crystal) that the secret of happiness is in one thing. "What's the one thing?" Mitch asks. Curly says, "You have to find out that for yourself." Paul defined the one thing for himself: "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14) His "one thing" was winning the prize -- the prize of knowing and being known by Jesus. This goal was the driving force behind all that he did. A subtle, but crucial, distinction is this. Paul wasn't driven by the idea of success in the ministry, of building growing congregations, of reaching unchurched people with the gospel. He did these things -- and he did them well -- but he was driven first by the desire to know Jesus. His devotional life, not his ambition, fueled his ministry. Here's how this plays out in my life. When I'm driven by the desire to see results, I'm frustrated most of the time. Nothing, not even success, is quite good enough. When I'm driven -- as I always should be -- by the desire to know Jesus, two things happen. One, I tend to work harder. Two, I have peace in the process. Actually, everyone is already driven by one thing. Some can define it, some can't. When your one thing is the idea of gaining Christ, as Paul says in Philippians 3:8, and knowing Christ and becoming like him, as he says in 3:10...when your work is fueled by your devotional life and not your ambition, the ministry becomes less of an exercise in frustration, and more of the adventure God intends for our lives to be. As we continue in Lent, our theme in the Lenten Study and worship will be John Wesley’s question of “How goes it with your soul? How goes it with your soul? Have you defined for yourself your “just one thing?’ Is it God? Does your life reflect it? Join us as we continue an exploration of this to the benefit of your soul. God Bless, Pastor Allen |
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Pictures needed As part of our history book we are looking for old pictures of past confirmation classes or activities. We would ask that if you have pictures with people, please list as many names as possible. United Medthodist Women—Cinnamon Roll Time! UMW will be selling those delicious cinnamon rolls again this year. They are to picked up on Saturday morning, April 7th. The last day to order is April 1st. There will be a sign up sheet available at church, or give Coreen Herring or church office a call. Prices are as follows: $6.50 for 1 dozen caramel/ $4.00 for ½ dozen $7.00 for 1 dozen caramel-pecan/$4.50 for ½ dozen $6.50 for 1 dozen frosted/ $4.00 for ½ dozen $4.50 for 1 dozen frozen Call the office to reserve an order |
Lenten Series Contines Each Wednesday, we will be offering Lenten Fellowship each Wednesday from 6:00PM During this hour we will be offering dinner and time spent with the study, “Promises to Keep” which is nothing less the “A Study of the Meaning of Membership in the United Methodist Church.” Do you want dinner? Fellowship? Structured time to grow closer to God? Answers to your questions about your church? This is your time! Thanks to 113 submitters, we were able to submit 650 recipes for the printing of the Carlisle United Methodist Church 150th Celebration cookbook. They will cost $10. and we are now accepting pre-orders. Call the church office, sign up during worship or used the coupon below to reserve you copy or copies (I’ve been told that they’ll make wonderful gifts!). The first order is 350 and we will hopefully be receiving the books in mid-May or before. |
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ASP Brunch March 11th The ASP Youth Group will be sponsoring another brunch on Sunday, Mar. 11th. Egg casseroles, from potato casseroles, french toast, breakfast pizza, sausage, ham, muffins, etc will be served following church services. As in the past, there is no charge, but donations for the 2007 March work trip will be appreciated. |
Guest Speaker, March 18th We are blest with many fine lay speakers at this parish. Most of them will be absent on the 18th because they will be on various mission trips. Who will be guest speaker be? Come and find out. We know you will find him/her (I don’t want to give it away) very interesting! |