March-April 2009

Ministry of the Month – March

Greeter and Usher –

This important ministry is a real first impression ministry. From the moment people arrive they need to feel welcome. They need to feel safe and at home. A good greeting, a friendly face and a willingness to serve are essential for this great ministry. While greeting and ushering may seem simple, it is the commitment to being dependable and in place each week that makes such a difference.

            We appreciate the dedication of those who regularly greet our family at the door, help them find their way, assist in our worship and make the house of worship a lot friendlier!

Ministry of the Month – April

Life Group Leaders –

This cutting edge leader helps to guide people to become Christlike in all aspects of their lives. As we fully engage in our mission to make disciples, the Life Group Leader becomes the heart and soul of the process.

We are slowly transitioning to the Master’s Plan for making disciples which closely imitates what Jesus did during his ministry. Every small group we have from pre-school to seniors is led by someone who fills a vital role. The traditional Sunday School remains and new small groups are being added specifically with goal of making disciples. Every leader is important as we are obedient to Christ’s Great Commission.  

Life Groups

            Our Life Groups continue to grow and thrive. This is our current schedule:

Sunday at 9:45 a.m. at the church, we have groups for all ages. These groups are about 45 minutes in length and focus on curriculum produced by the Nazarene Publishing House.

Teen Life Group meets at the Church Sunday at 6:00 p.m. NEW!!

Men’s Groups meet: Monday at 7:00 p.m. at the airport and at a new location, soon to be announced (but at the airport for now).

Women’s groups meet: Monday at 7:00 p.m. and Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at the church and Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at Tina Perry’s house (starting March 17). NEW!!

An open mixed group is meeting at the church on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. – this is a modified Life Group especially designed for occasional attenders and guests. NEW!!

These groups meet for about 90 minutes and include a great time for fellowship, the application of God’s word to our lives and experiencing God’s presence and direction. These groups are at the heart of disciple making according to The Master’s Plan.

More groups of this nature will be introduced throughout 2009 at other times and places to provide you with more choices that can fit your schedule. Everyone should be part of one of these groups.

Encounter Weekend

            The Encounter Weekend was a time of victory and celebration as God met with us and transformed, encouraged and strengthened us! This weekend proved once again that God is faithful when his people honestly approach him, discover his will and surrender to that will.

            Everyone should be part of an Encounter Weekend. You may feel that you have better things to do but nothing can compare with experiencing God in this dynamic and powerful way!

            The Follower’s Course is now being offered on Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. This is part of the Foundation for disciple making. It is a strong starting point for all who would be obedient in making disciples. Your ability to be obedient depends on how well you are equipped and how dependent you are on God. We will do everything we can to equip you. God is always dependable. Together, we can change Upshur County – for his glory!

            The Disciple’s Course is available to all who have completed the Follower’s Course. This spring, it will be taught from April 26 to June 28.

Centennial T-Shirts

            A limited number of Centennial T-Shirts are now available! These shirts are part of our celebration of 100 years of holiness! We ordered extra shirts and have a few sizes still available. You’ve probably seen lots of people wearing these, so if you’d like one, see Carol. They are just $10 each ($13 for 2X and 3X). Get one and help get the word of God’s love to our community.

Stretch Your Food Dollar!!!

            Angel Food Ministries Schedule:

Order: March 14 – 10 a.m. until noon

Distribution: March 28 – 10 a.m. until noon

Order: April 11 – 10 a.m. until noon

Distribution: April 25 – 10 a.m. until noon

For more information, see Cathy Yordy, Angel Food Ministry Director.  

Email Reminders

            You can receive e-reminders in your inbox each week. Reminders include announcements, prayer requests, inspirational scriptures and even the weather! If you would like to receive these reminders email Pastor Jim at revjgw@yahoo.com.

E-Newsletter

            In order to save postage and printing costs, we are now distributing the Newsletter via e-mail! If you are receiving this newsletter in via regular mail, we need to get your email address. Send your email address to revjgw@yahoo.com. We will continue postal delivery of the newsletter for those without email addresses.

Family Fun Night

Our first Family Fun Night was a great success. Our next Family Fun Night is scheduled for March 27 starting at 7:00 p.m. Bring your games, snacks and drinks (or buy them at the church). Indoors or outdoors, we’ll have a great time together.

Now on Sunday: A Time for Healing

            We all have times when we need a little strength and comfort. During most of our Sunday services we will have a special time for you to bring your trials and troubles to the Lord. There are many who need healing - physical, emotional, relational, financial. God understands our troubles and is a God of help. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6-7 - ESV)  So come and share with God your trouble and let him touch you. We won't embarrass you - we will only lift you up!

Hymn Sing

            On Sunday, March 29 at 6:00 p.m., we will have our first hymn sing. For those of you who love the old hymns – this is your chance to sing! We’ll sing lots of hymns and give you a chance to make requests. It will be a great evening to enjoy. This is for everyone. So, if you don’t know many hymns come out and learn some new great songs to sing!

Week of Prayer

            All our regular weekly activities will be suspended from April 19-24 as we engage in a week of prayer. Each evening we will meet to pray and seek the face of God. There will be no life groups, no regular Family Night (we’ll still have the meal together) and no other meetings.

            Our Worship Service Sunday morning will help get us ready to seek God’s face and experience his power. It is so important that you do all in your power to be in each service during this week.

Easter and Baptism Sunday

            Our Easter Sunday will be extra special this year as we have a Baptism service to add to this very sacred day! It is an extraordinary opportunity for you to invite friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to worship. It is our prayer that lives will be transformed on this special day.

New Member Sunday

            We will celebrate New Members sometime (Date: to be determined) before the end of April. If you would like to join the church, contact Pastor Jim.

Sunday, March 8th @ 2:00 A.M. is the time to turn your clocks forward one hour!   Saturday night before you go to bed make it a point to “Spring

Forward” one hour and then go to bed earlier so you don’t miss out on your sleep!

Fireproof your marriage!  Starting Sunday, March 15^th @ 6:00 p.m.

If you want to change the eternity of a child, we need you!  VBS meeting March 15 & April 5 following the morning service.  Food will be provided.