Hampstead Family-- Grace and peace!
I think it fair to say that from the beginning (Exodus) the Jewish community has always been built around the Tabernacle (tent), and later, the Temple in Jerusalem. It is equally fair to say that the Temple was built around worship, and seasons, feasts and festivals.
In the mind of God AND the people, attendance at these celebrations was not optional -- it was required! While Leviticus is admittedly not the most exciting part of the Bible, it does relay God’s commands regarding celebrations and feasts, and how Israel must participate. The final verse, 44, says “Thus Moses declared to the people of Israel the appointed feasts of the Lord”. God has always been big on celebrations, feasts and special days that exalt Him and unite the people!
Today’s celebrations are worship at its finest—as we celebrate together, we give thanks to God! Christmas and Easter we understand! Advent we long for! Lent we endure! But how about Epiphany? Or Pentecost? Or Kingdomtide? How much do we know about them? And then there’s 5th Sundays, Fall Festival, Clean-up days, and special worship service days!
Today’s church feeds from the same spiritual roots! When the body isn’t fully present at celebrations and festivals, we are denying ourselves and others the joy that God intends for His family! We are withholding from God the thanks, praise and glory that He is due! But that’s not all-- we are denying the community in which we are planted the ability to see the Kingdom of God in its God-given glory!
Check the church calendar—on the web, in Script Shores, weekly missives, and Sunday bulletins! These celebration days are not events to be endured, but opportunities to worship! Share them with the people you really love! Make it your business to glorify God individually and as a part of the community of faith. I promise you, God will be pleased!
Come celebrate and be blessed! See you in church Sunday!
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CELEBRATIONS! (Family things for the congregation to know about)
Building Approvals Completed This past Tuesday night, the Charge Conference (HUMC governing body) endorsed the latest and most complete plans for our new building. On Thursday night, the District Board of Church Location and Building also gave its blessing. Folks, after many years, we are ON THE WAY! Weather and Pender County permitting, we should see site preparations begin in very early June!
Groundbreaking Worship Service Mark June 24th on your
calendar! We’re planning a great celebration to mark the breaking of ground for
the building project! This will include
a single service, groundbreaking festivities, invitations to local and construction leaders, and a covered dish lunch (we will need extra food, due to the anticipated invited guests). Kids to adults, come shovel dirt and give thanks to God!
Trudy Wilder Retirement June 24th will also be Trudy’s last Sunday as our associate pastor. But wait! The news ain’t all bad/sad! Trudy and Steve will remain active in our HUMC family and ministries! And we are exploring a UM Discipline option which will allow her to stay on staff in unpaid capacity, while retaining her local sacramental privileges. Be in prayer and thanksgiving for this special servant family!
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
AV Help All Services is needed! Patience and computer literacy are desirable!
Acolytes in All Services are also needed! Parents, if you want your kids to get involved with their faith life, this is a great place to start - but you have to encourage them! Thanks!
IT'S OFFICIAL! We are now registered on AmazonSmile! If you shop at smile.amazon.com, 0.5% of the total price of your eligible purchases will be donated to HUMC. This is the same as shopping on Amazon.com—it just means that you will be able to help the church too! Our unique link is: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/56-1244923
Just enter the link into your browser and you are choosing HUMC as your charitable organization. If you are unable to use the link, you can still register at smile.amazon.com, and choose Hampstead UMC from the list of eligible organizations. If you have questions, please contact Betsy Williams, Financial Secretary.
SNAP SHOTS
For Rent to a Lady: Large furnished master bedroom and private bath/walk-in shower. $430/mo includes utilities, use of kitchen and laundry. Cable TV and WIFI high speed internet. Pet friendly. Large fenced back yard. Prefer 6mo./longer lease. For more information call (910)777-4532 ask for Dee or leave a voice mail.
23Wed 10am/6:30pm Hebrews Bible Study (Rm. 5/6; Youth Room)
6pm Power Kids Celebration (Last session)
24Thur 10am Pre-School End-of-Year Celebration
6pm UMYF (Last sessions)
6:30pm Congregational Care Meeting (Rm. 9)
26Sat 10am Cindy Klempay Memorial Visitation
11am Klempay Memorial Service
27Sun svcs Memorial Sunday
28Mon Memorial Day—Church Office Closed
A LOOK AHEAD -- Next Sunday's worship will honor those in our military who have given their last measure of devotion to protect our nation and way of life. The title will be “Peace”, with scriptures Psalm 29 and Galatians 1: 3-5, with a wonderful video in all three services and a special presentation in the 11am service.
Thanks for being a part of the HUMC family! Until we gather again, and always, GBY!
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PARTING SHOT -- Steven Wright - Scientist with a sense of humor:
His mind sees things differently than we do. . . here are some of his gems:
1 - I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.
2 - Borrow money from pessimists -- they don't expect to get it back. (My #2 favorite!)
3 - Half the people you know are below average.
4 - 99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5 - 82.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
6 - A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
7 - If you want the rainbow, you got to put up with the rain.
8 - All those who believe in psycho kinesis, raise my hand.
9 - The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. (My #1 favorite!)
10 - I almost had a psychic girlfriend, ...... But she left me before we met.
11 - OK, so what's the speed of dark?
12 - If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
13 - Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
14 - When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
15 - Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.
16 - Hard work pays off in the future; laziness pays off now.
17 - I intend to live forever... So far, so good.
18 - Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
19 - What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
20 - My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
21 - Why do psychics have to ask you for your name.
22 - If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
23 - A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.
24 - Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
25 - To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.
26 - The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.
27 - The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
28 - The colder the x-ray table, the more of your body is required to be on it.
29 - Everyone has a photographic memory; some just don't have film.
30 - If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you. (Thx to Steve Zerby!)
