April
17, 2024 Weekly Missive
(HUMC, 15395 Highway 17N, Hampstead NC 28443; office@hampsteadumc.org)
William’s Wanderings
Good Day, Saints,
The message for this coming Sunday, 28 April, will come from John’s Gospel, chapter 15:1-8. This is one of the “I Am…” passages found in the Gospel. In our lesson for Sunday, Jesus declares: “I am the Vine…you are the branches.”
I am asking this Sunday “how you connect your identity…your image to the world around you.” In other words: Where do you find your identity?
Last week Mo and I were invited to do a presentation on our 40 years of ministry, though Mo told me that I was going to do the talking…not her. Personally, I wasn’t really sure that anyone would really want to hear our story. However, there we were with a lot more people than I had imagined would be there. Yes, they had come to hear our story, but they had also come to tell us how much they had appreciated the time that we spent with them (this was one of my former churches).
The funny thing was this: There was John Denver music being played in the background. And a feast of Chick-fil-A nuggets, country ham sliders, cheese straws, and other things that I like had been prepared. These folks knew us! They knew us well! And we had the loveliest time sharing and listening to more kind words than I think we deserve, or at least more than I deserved. And it was all because we were all connected to the Vine that Jesus Christ.
I have for years had this mindset that when one is a follower of Jesus Christ we are all part of one family. When we are a part of the family of God we are connected to one another in ways that value one another. Thus, we don’t get caught up in our differences, but we remain focused on the one thing that we have in common-Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Listen! We are shaped by many things in life. We are shaped by our parents and family, our teachers and coaches, our friends and co-workers. We are also shaped by our church family. We are shaped by social media, music, the books we read-or don’t read-the social and political discourse of our times. Truth is: We are shaped by good variables and not so good.
What we mustn’t let slip from our grasp is being shaped by the True Vine of Christ. There is only one Savior…only one Messiah. If our heart and mind is not connected to Him, then we will miss out on the many good things that He has in mind for us.
Come join with us on Sunday morning at
either our 8:45 or 11:00 service. If you come to worship, you won’t be
disappointed. Stay encouraged; stay
faithful
Still in His Peace,
Pastor William
Confirmation Class: The Confirmation Class will attend a synagogue service at Temple Israel on Friday, 26 April. Please join with the Confirmands and their families as six of our young people will be confirmed into the church on Confirmation Sunday, 28th of April at 11:00.
Food on Fourth Fellowship Meal Our upcoming fellowship meal is Wednesday, April 24th at 6:00 PM. The HUMC Power Kids and Youth will host a “Mexican Fiesta Night”. Bring a friend and come enjoy some Mexican style dishes and tacos. All are welcome!
Hope Circle Our next meeting is Tuesday, May 14th at 10:00 AM in room 5/6. All women of the church are invited. For any questions, call or text Cheryle Shaffer at 910-620-5904.
HUMC Youth Volunteers Needed Power Kids and Youth are in need of volunteers to help provide meals for their weekly meetings on Sundays. This year our Power Kids & Youth continue to meet jointly for dinner. If you or a group are interested in providing a meal, please contact Jaime Alberti at (humcyouth@hampsteadumc.org) for more information on how to sign up.
Upcoming Music Recital Our Music Director, Bethany Borden, is hosting a music recital on Tuesday, May 7th at 7:00 PM. Bethany Borden’s voice, ukulele, guitar, and piano students will be performing their recital in the sanctuary. All are welcome to attend.
Calendar of Events:
Monday—4/22
8:00 AM ROMEOs (Library)
6:00 PM Cub Scout Pack Mtg. (Sanc)
7:00 PM Boy Scouts (FLC)
Tuesday—4/23
9:00 AM Prayer Team (Library)
6:30 PM Divorce Care Group (Rm. 9) (Last Mtg.)
7:00 PM Al-Anon (FLC)
7:00 PM Al-Ateen (FLC)
Wednesday—4/24
5:15 PM Praise Band Practice (Sanc)
6:30 PM Bible Study Fellowship (Rms. 2, 5/6, 9, Sanc)
7:00 PM Choir Practice (Sanc)
Thursday—4/25
10:00 AM Bible Study “When You Pray” (Rm. 5/6)
Sunday—4/28
8:45 AM Worship Service (Sanc)
10:00 AM Sunday School (All Ages)
11:00 AM Worship Service (Sanc)
4:00 PM Power Kids (FLC Rm. 2)
5:00 PM Jr./Sr. High Youth (FLC Rm. 2)