August 15, 2022 Weekly Missive
(HUMC, 15395 Highway 17N,
Hampstead NC 28443; office@hampsteadumc.org
William’s Wanderings
Good Day, Saints,
Autumn is just a month away. Our children will be returning to the joy of school days and time with friends. Vacations will, for the most part, have been taken. The time of getting the church back to some sense of normalcy is coming. The cool, crisp breeze of the autumn air will soon be upon us. And so, too, those Sundays that church folks always tell the preacher about during the months of summer: “Preacher, everyone will be back, come…September.”
This Sunday’s lesson doesn’t’ wait for September to bring us the word that Sabbath is important! Now, I know that Sunday is not the Sabbath! Wait, you didn’t know that? Many folks refer to Sunday as the Sabbath day; it is actually the Lord’s Day…it is the Christian faith’s day of worship. (A side note: If you want to get out of, let’s say, yard work, then simply say to your spouse: “Saturday is the Sabbath.” Let me know how it works for you.
Our lesson this Sunday comes from Luke 13:10-17. In our lesson Jesus heals a woman with a disabling spirit. And he does so on the Sabbath day-a violation of Sabbath law, or says those who object.
Listen, I have any number of folks who want to whisper in my ear about what the Bible says about this or that. Some are well-intentioned people who love the church and are here on any given Sunday. Others? Well, others can’t remember the last time they darkened the doors of the church, but still want to express their views. Everyone has a right to their opinion. Of course, opinions are just that. We seem to miss the point that Jesus tends to upset the status quo.
Take our lesson as an example. The ruler by his understanding of the Law believed he was correct in chastising the Lord of the Law over His “work” on the Sabbath. This woman could have come on any other day to seek healing (of course, Jesus may not have been there the other six days, but who really pays attention to the details anymore, right?).
Jesus, in His view, was setting the woman free… and because she had been set free, she praised God, which is the ultimate act of Sabbath worship. Friends, we were created for worship. Everything else that the church, or we, do is an extension of our created purpose. And if we aren’t taking the time to come together in fellowship…for whatever reason…then we are missing out on the gift that truly sets us free. Praising God with all our heart, mind and soul sets us free to be what God has created us to be. We have six days in which to work, play, sit in the house and do nothing, or even complain. We come together on Sunday…to praise God and to be set free.
I invite each of you to attend either our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service in the sanctuary. (Please be mindful of ongoing service as you gather.) Or you can view our livestream service at 8:30 or 11:00 at hampsteadumc.org
Stay encouraged; stay faithful.
Still in His Peace,
Pastor William
Note: Please remember that all three services are now being held in the Sanctuary. Please be respectful as you gather for, or leave, your service when standing outside the doors of the sanctuary in the narthex. Thank you.
Website and Livestream: Are you not able to be here on Sunday morning? Catch us at: hampsteadumc.org. We are livestreaming our 8:30 and 11:00 Sunday morning worship services, or you can watch the recorded version at your convenience.
Sunday school Teacher Needed: Steve Calarco’s passing leaves his class without a regular Sunday school teacher-a leader-though some members are willing to teach occasionally. I, as you well know, am busy during the Sunday school hour, and cannot teach. So, I, we, need your help. If you would be willing to be the regular teacher please let Pastor William know. Folks, I need a volunteer for this class. They are currently using the Cokesbury material, but might be open to new ideas, such as the UMC 2022 Lectionary. The class is covered through the end of August.
One Service at 10:00 on 4 September: We want to come together for Patti Rouse and Kevin Kolb on Sunday, 4 September, with a one service at 10:00 followed by a covered-dish lunch at 11:00. Please plan to join us.
Emails and Phone Calls: My phone number is 252-230-9271 for those who notice an out-of-area call. I prefer phone over email because I find that emails can be, and often are, taken out of context.
Special Offering NEXT SUNDAY (8/21) we will be receiving a special offering for the victims of Kentucky’s recent devastating floods. If you wish to give to this offering, please make your check payable to HUMC and write “Kentucky” in the memo line. If giving by cash, ushers will have envelopes available. Write your name and “Kentucky” on the envelope. All funds will be sent to Kentucky Annual Conference Disaster Response Ministry Fund. For more info on the United Methodist response to this disaster, see: Kentucky Conference: South East KY Flooding - Statement from Bishop Fairley (kyumc.org)
Ushers Needed for 11:00 Service! The 11:00 service is in need of usher. This is an easy job and a great way to get to know your fellow parishioners. If you can help, please contact Kathy Swartz at 919-599-5109. Thank you!
Acolytes are needed: I know that our young folks are busy with a lot of things, but we would love to have those who are interested in serving as acolytes to contact Emily Pickett or Pastor William.
Weekly Calendar of Events
Each Week YMCA Summer Camp (M-Fri, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, FLC)
Last Day for the YMCA Summer Camp is Friday August 26th.
15 August 9:00 AM Prayer Team (Library)
7:00 PM Al-Anon (Rm. 5/6)
16 August 11:30 AM BLTs (Rm. 5/6)
12:30 PM Staff Meeting (m. 9)
4:00 PM Praise Band Rehearsal (Sanc)
17 August 10:00 AM “When Strivings Cease” Bible Study (Rm. 5/6)
7:00 PM Choir Practice (Sanc)
20 August 8:00 AM Scouts Merit Badge College (FLC)
21 August 8:30 AM Worship Service (Sanc)
9:45 AM Worship Service (Sanc)
9:45 AM Sunday School for All Ages
11:00 AM Worship Service (Sanc)
Don’t forget to check our website www.hampsteadumc.org, as well as our Facebook Page: (www.facebook.com/hampsteadumc) for updates and more information.