Hampstead United Methodist Church
15395 US Hwy 17 N., Hampstead, NC 28443
Email: office@hampsteadumc.org
Hey, Hampstead Family! Grace and peace!
The United Methodist Church has been a blessing to me, as a Christian and as a minister! Our “system” has served clergy, laity and the church in general very well over the years. While it has experienced some expected rough spots, I believe its design came from God through John Wesley, and is worthy of our use and appreciation!
We are a connectional church -- you’ve heard me say many times, when you see a Cross and Flame on a church, you are a member there! Your membership letter is here,
but the members of all those churches are your brothers and sisters in Christ, and family with us here at HUMC! We are also a “sent” denomination, rather than a “called” one.
This plays out in the fact that we don’t have to go hunt for our own pastors – United Methodist pulpits are filled by pastors who are “under appointment”, sent to us by the Bishop of our episcopal area (the eastern half of North Carolina).
While most ministers and churches are experiencing (and hopefully enjoying) longer appointments, the process is activated based on need. After seven years here, and 37 years in ministry, my retirement has brought about that need!
I want to share with you how proud I am of our Staff-Parish Relations Committee! Their labors and deliberations, interactions with the district superintendent, cabinet and bishop, and their plans to receive our new clergy family have been exemplary! Their thoroughness, attention to detail, and spiritual obedience have been, and will continue to be, a blessing for HUMC! You’ve got a great team here!
I also want to tell you how delighted all of us will be to share with you the name and biographical information of our new clergy family THIS COMING SUNDAY! In all three services, we will offer information, and prayers that God will continue the blessings and leadership that He has provided over the past several decades; and that our subsequent ministries and missions will continue to glorify our risen and living Lord Jesus Christ!
Over the next few weeks, we will be scheduling church activities and gatherings, that we might with joy and anticipation welcome our new pastor! If you are called upon to participate, please do so with joy! And until you ARE called upon, please seek out and do everything possible to make the success of the next pastor complete in every way! I’m counting on all of you (us!) to make that a reality! You are such a blessing! GBY! Skip
STEPHEN MINISTRY PROGRAM, GOD'S LOVE IN ACTION Are you going through a difficult time? Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who listen, care, encourage and provide emotional and spiritual support to people who are facing a crisis or going through tough times. The care you'll receive is confidential, free and very helpful. To learn how you can receive care, talk to our Pastor or Stephen Minister leader.
Friendship Circle will meet on May 3rd at 5:30 at the home Loretta Greenough for a potluck dinner. Call 270-2060 for more info.
Ushers Needed! Kathy Swartz is in search of volunteers for usher duty at the 11:00 service. This is a great way to welcome newcomers to the congregation and to learn the names of folks you see every week! Call, text, or email Kathy if you would like to help. katrinaswartz196@gmail.com, 919-599-5109
Thanks! John and Peggy Harris, Patrick McCarthy, and Judy Carter for yard work today!
Bible (and Other) Studies!
1st, 2nd and 3rd John Home Study entitled “What Love Is”, led by Jennipher Love Burns in her home, starting 6:30pm on April 22nd! Call 206-1903 for particulars!
The Apostle Peter will be a four week study, taught by the pastor, each Wednesday at 10am (FLC1) and 6:30pm (Rm 9), beginning May 5th.
History of the UMC AND of Hampstead UMC is the topic of the 11th session of our 2021 Confirmation Class. This class is on Sunday, May 2nd. The Confirmation Class members have graciously opened the class up to any others who might wish to attend!
We already have 4 adults signed up, and any others are welcome--just let Skip know if you’re planning to attend so materials can be printed!
Here’s how it works: on May 2nd, at 12:15pm, we go to a local fast food (oxymoron!) dive to get and bring back our lunch! At around 12:45pm, we pray, eat and begin studying! You are invited to bring a lunch and enjoy class with us! Because of the size of the group, we will meet in the Fellowship Hall gym. We’re still distancing and wearing masks! Come and join us! (And witness the wonderful young Christians that God is bringing to HUMC!)
HUMC SNAPSHOTS
Thanks, Trustees and Donors! Our Playground is finished and OPEN! And the grounds are getting a final face-lift, with sprinklers, sod, mulch, etc.! If you have time during the week to put in some “sweat equity”, contact Peggy Harris for instructions!
POINTS TO CONSIDER: Immediate Calendar:
20 Tue 9am Prayer Team (Library)
11:15 BLTs (Books, Lunch, Talk) (FLC Rm #1)
11:40am Preschool Chapel
12:30pm Staff Meeting (Rm. 9)
21 Wed 9:00am HUMC Quilting Group (Rm. 5/6)
22 Thurs 3pm Worship Team Meeting (Rm. 9)
24 Sat Youth Sunday Worship Rehearsal
25 Sun svcs Youth Sunday Worship--come support our kids!!!
12:15pm Confirmation #10, “Grace”
A LOOK AHEAD-- Youth Sunday is here, and they are SO EXCITED to lead our worship!
(And so am I-- I couldn’t be more proud of them!) Come and support their spiritual work!
Thanks for being a
part of the HUMC family! Until we gather
again, and always, GBY!
Skip
PARTING SHOT- TFTD*
TRUISMS
(SOME of ‘em! Thx to Tim Rootes!)
It’s weird being the same age as old people.
When I was a kid I wanted to be older…this is not what I expected.
It’s probably my age that tricks people into thinking I’m an adult.
I see people about my age mountain climbing;
I feel good getting my leg through my underwear without losing my balance!
I’m at a place in my life where errands are starting to count as going out.
I’m at that age where my mind still thinks I’m 29, my humor suggests I’m 12,
while my body mostly keeps asking if I’m sure I’m not dead yet.
You don’t realize how old you are until you sit on the floor and then try to get back up.
We all get heavier as we get older, because there's a lot more information in our heads.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.