Rapping with Rick
05/01/07 Tuesday |
Permalink
The
words to a popular song that Lee Ann Womack recorded
some years ago goes,
“I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit out or dance,
I hope you dance . . .”
Our birth into this world is a gift from God. Life from start to finish is a gift - as is our death and our hope, for life eternal is also a gift and a miracle. Life here and in the world to come is, as Carol Zaleski of Smith College puts it, “A gift all the way down.”
Will Willimon writes that “We are created for fellowship, and by God’s grace we shall have it together.” He further states that the best say to experience this kind of fellowship, this eternal life, is in adoration - in worship. In worship we are sometimes afforded a foretaste of immortality, “a glimpse, a hint, a tantalizing first installment of the way we shall be with God.”
I’m reminded of that wonderful story that Don Saliers tells of the woman in the wheelchair who, after a lively hour of Easter worship, said to the pastor on her way out, “Didn’t we dance today?” Our lives are caught up in something quite beyond ourselves as we worship “the Lord of the Dance,” and join in with the music.
And, these days you never know who you’ll run into at Main Street during the worship hour (such as greeting my friend, Myron, who I hadn’t seen since seminary!) Our out-of-town guests unite with us in as the worshiping body of Christ, and we dance together for a while, enjoying the present gift of life, glimpsing something else that the Lord holds in store for all who love him, who take him up on his gracious invitation to “give it a whirl.”
Blessed Easter,
Rick
“I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit out or dance,
I hope you dance . . .”
Our birth into this world is a gift from God. Life from start to finish is a gift - as is our death and our hope, for life eternal is also a gift and a miracle. Life here and in the world to come is, as Carol Zaleski of Smith College puts it, “A gift all the way down.”
Will Willimon writes that “We are created for fellowship, and by God’s grace we shall have it together.” He further states that the best say to experience this kind of fellowship, this eternal life, is in adoration - in worship. In worship we are sometimes afforded a foretaste of immortality, “a glimpse, a hint, a tantalizing first installment of the way we shall be with God.”
I’m reminded of that wonderful story that Don Saliers tells of the woman in the wheelchair who, after a lively hour of Easter worship, said to the pastor on her way out, “Didn’t we dance today?” Our lives are caught up in something quite beyond ourselves as we worship “the Lord of the Dance,” and join in with the music.
And, these days you never know who you’ll run into at Main Street during the worship hour (such as greeting my friend, Myron, who I hadn’t seen since seminary!) Our out-of-town guests unite with us in as the worshiping body of Christ, and we dance together for a while, enjoying the present gift of life, glimpsing something else that the Lord holds in store for all who love him, who take him up on his gracious invitation to “give it a whirl.”
Blessed Easter,
Rick
College-Age Graduate?
05/01/07 Tuesday |
Permalink
COLLEGE ABOUT-TO-BE
GRADUATES?
& PARENTS OF ABOUT-TO-BE
GRADUATES?
The
hunt is on. The College-Age Ministry has one month to
find those elusive students, shy(?) and reclusive.
But we need to know who you are, so we may honor you
for a job well done. This includes both 4-year and
2-year degrees.
Step forward with pride! Please call Cindy at the
church office if this notice pertains to you!!
Call 467-4538.
Thanks,
Ms Anita (Montgomery)
MSUMC Music CDs for Sale
05/01/07 Tuesday |
Permalink
Main
Street United Methodist Church
CDs for sale:
The reproduced church CD made in 1999, by all of our choirs, including the children’s choir, is for sale and available in the church office. The cost of each CD is $10.00. We have a limited number available, so pick one up while you can!
The reproduced church CD made in 1999, by all of our choirs, including the children’s choir, is for sale and available in the church office. The cost of each CD is $10.00. We have a limited number available, so pick one up while you can!
Mission Outreach News
05/01/07 Tuesday |
Permalink
The
Dolls' Ministry/Global Media Outreach:
Many exciting things are
happening for Christ in our world through this internet
ministry which is supported by you through the Main St.
UMC Outreach Budget. Much information about
Christianity is being shared and personal conversations
being held daily. To learn more and keep up-to-date on
their "ministry news", please visit their
website: http:www.globalmediaoutreach.com/index.html.
You, also, may sign up to receive their monthly
newsletter and/or weekly prayer letter on the website.
Hancock County Food Pantry: Thanks to those who give so generously to help feed the needy by putting money in the baskets in the back of the church on the third Sunday of each month. You are making a difference for Christ right here in our county! Thank you, too, to those who volunteer on a regular basis to work at the Food Pantry site on Herlihy St. in Waveland. Currently, there is a need for volunteers on Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. until noon and for substitutes. Please call the Hancock County Food Pantry's Volunteer Coordinator, Pat Walton, at 586-6288, if you can help. If you would like to talk with someone from our church who volunteers, please contact Shirley Blankenship, Clyde Richardson or Bob Delcuze. Thank you to Shirley for sharing about this important ministry during April's "Mission Moment."
Kairos Prison Ministry: Stories of changed lives for Christ continue to pour in as the result of the Kairos Retreat #3 at South MS Correctional Institute near Leakesville, MS. Thirty-four Christian men spent three days talking, eating, exchanging faith stories and experiences, praying, singing and sharing Christ's love through various forms of "agape" with the 41 "participants" from the prison. The "Closing", to which you, the members of the "outside Christian community" were invited, was an event to be remembered when those in attendance heard the responses to the following questions. "What condition were you in when you came to Kairos?" They said, "confused, unloved, forgotten, angry, skeptical, curious, hungry for food." "What did you find at Kairos?" They replied, "unconditional love, sacrificial love, non-judgement, caring, a sense of family, support, hope and Jesus Christ." Lastly, to "What will you take from Kairos?, they said, "this same unconditional love, this hope, this sense of family, the knowledge that 'I am never alone', deeper faith, 'no more boxing gloves', brotherhood and 'doing the Word, not just speaking the Word'." Chaplain Jerry Cooley ended the speaking part of the "Closing" with a personal testimony that assured everyone he was the right man to minister to these brothers in Christ. The ceremony concluded with the Lord's Prayer and the singing of "My Kairos" and "Surely the Presence." Again, thanks to all from our church who prayed, wrote personal notes, made placemats or served on the team or in some other way. This, indeed, was "God's Special Time" to reveal Himself and make a difference in many lives for eternity.
Prayer Ministry: . Please remember that the Prayer List is updated at the beginning of each month. Although the Outreach Prayer List will be used throughout the year, the individual requests will change. If you would like prayers to continue for someone into the next month, please contact Cindy at the church office, 228-467-4538 or meth5615@bellsouth.net, and that prayer concern will be placed on the new monthly list. Please include any "updates" on conditions and prayer needs at that time. Prayer requests may be added to the list at any time by contacting Cindy. Thanks to the Prayer Team and those who faithfully pray for persons on our Prayer List. Prayer changes things and people!
Ministry to the Homeless: Seashore Mission United Methodist Church is now located at Beauvoir UMC. Rev. Elijah Mitchell continues to serve as pastor as well as serving with the Rev. Sally Bevill at Beauvoir. The current ministry to the homeless is evolving as it seeks ways to assist those in need at their new location.
Hope Haven Children's Shelter: Please continue to save Choice Supermarket receipts. Place them in the offering plate or take to the church office. Choice Supermarkets donate one percent of the receipt totals to Hope Haven.
Heifer International will be the focus of May's "Mission Moment."
Hancock County Food Pantry: Thanks to those who give so generously to help feed the needy by putting money in the baskets in the back of the church on the third Sunday of each month. You are making a difference for Christ right here in our county! Thank you, too, to those who volunteer on a regular basis to work at the Food Pantry site on Herlihy St. in Waveland. Currently, there is a need for volunteers on Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. until noon and for substitutes. Please call the Hancock County Food Pantry's Volunteer Coordinator, Pat Walton, at 586-6288, if you can help. If you would like to talk with someone from our church who volunteers, please contact Shirley Blankenship, Clyde Richardson or Bob Delcuze. Thank you to Shirley for sharing about this important ministry during April's "Mission Moment."
Kairos Prison Ministry: Stories of changed lives for Christ continue to pour in as the result of the Kairos Retreat #3 at South MS Correctional Institute near Leakesville, MS. Thirty-four Christian men spent three days talking, eating, exchanging faith stories and experiences, praying, singing and sharing Christ's love through various forms of "agape" with the 41 "participants" from the prison. The "Closing", to which you, the members of the "outside Christian community" were invited, was an event to be remembered when those in attendance heard the responses to the following questions. "What condition were you in when you came to Kairos?" They said, "confused, unloved, forgotten, angry, skeptical, curious, hungry for food." "What did you find at Kairos?" They replied, "unconditional love, sacrificial love, non-judgement, caring, a sense of family, support, hope and Jesus Christ." Lastly, to "What will you take from Kairos?, they said, "this same unconditional love, this hope, this sense of family, the knowledge that 'I am never alone', deeper faith, 'no more boxing gloves', brotherhood and 'doing the Word, not just speaking the Word'." Chaplain Jerry Cooley ended the speaking part of the "Closing" with a personal testimony that assured everyone he was the right man to minister to these brothers in Christ. The ceremony concluded with the Lord's Prayer and the singing of "My Kairos" and "Surely the Presence." Again, thanks to all from our church who prayed, wrote personal notes, made placemats or served on the team or in some other way. This, indeed, was "God's Special Time" to reveal Himself and make a difference in many lives for eternity.
Prayer Ministry: . Please remember that the Prayer List is updated at the beginning of each month. Although the Outreach Prayer List will be used throughout the year, the individual requests will change. If you would like prayers to continue for someone into the next month, please contact Cindy at the church office, 228-467-4538 or meth5615@bellsouth.net, and that prayer concern will be placed on the new monthly list. Please include any "updates" on conditions and prayer needs at that time. Prayer requests may be added to the list at any time by contacting Cindy. Thanks to the Prayer Team and those who faithfully pray for persons on our Prayer List. Prayer changes things and people!
Ministry to the Homeless: Seashore Mission United Methodist Church is now located at Beauvoir UMC. Rev. Elijah Mitchell continues to serve as pastor as well as serving with the Rev. Sally Bevill at Beauvoir. The current ministry to the homeless is evolving as it seeks ways to assist those in need at their new location.
Hope Haven Children's Shelter: Please continue to save Choice Supermarket receipts. Place them in the offering plate or take to the church office. Choice Supermarkets donate one percent of the receipt totals to Hope Haven.
Heifer International will be the focus of May's "Mission Moment."
A SPECIAL THANKS...........
05/01/07 Tuesday |
Permalink
To the generosity of our
church family over 50 baskets filled with your Easter
goodies, childrens
Christian books, and a special Easter card from our
church were distributed by your Outreach Committee.
Hope Have and the Department of Human Services were
thrilled to receive them for the children.
Thank you again.
Main Street Outreach Committee
Thank you again.
Main Street Outreach Committee
May Music News
05/01/07 Tuesday |
Permalink
May
promises to be a month of many observances and special
services. Communion Sunday and the National Day of
Prayer will be celebrated on the sixth of May. The
choir will sing a new arrangement of the contemporary
song, "Here I Am To Worship" and the older standard,
"Holy, Holy, Holy". The next Sunday, May 13th, is
Mother's Day and we will be visited by a guest choir
and instrumentalists from North Carolina. This college
group performed for us after the storm and were very
inspiring. May 20th is Ascension Sunday and the
following Sunday is Pentecost. The choir will wear
their beautiful red robes and white stoles to represent
the tongues of flame depicted in
scripture.
I want to thank the Praise
Bells for their wonderful year of service. Judy Guy was
so willing to bring back this choir and work with them
every Monday night so that they could play so well in
our services. Judy Guy does a wonderful job with all
her instrumental music and we appreciate her hours of
commitment. Judy will be absent on May 20th and we wish
her safe travel.
Please continue to keep Jeanne Smith in your prayers as she recovers from eye surgery. We appreciate all that she has done as our church organist. God bless and keep you!
Mary Howard
Please continue to keep Jeanne Smith in your prayers as she recovers from eye surgery. We appreciate all that she has done as our church organist. God bless and keep you!
Mary Howard
Vacation Bible School
05/01/07 Tuesday |
Permalink
This year, Vacation Bible
School will be July 2 - 6 in the mornings. We are in
the planning stages. We will not have outside help this
year, so please consider helping with this important
event for our church family and the community.
If you are able to volunteer, please call Cindy in the church office or email Lynn Brooks at lylofbro@aol.com.
If you are able to volunteer, please call Cindy in the church office or email Lynn Brooks at lylofbro@aol.com.
