Issue 39

Christian Commitment

One of my favorite books is Commitment: Key to Christian Maturity, by Susan Muto and Adrian van Kaam. A sub-title to this book is Discovering God through faithfulness to our daily commitments. I do not know if I have ever read a book that has made any greater impact on my spiritual life than this book. I would like to share with you a few basic thoughts concerning commitment.

Most of us in the church will confess to a belief in Jesus Christ, and hopefully we have accepted him as our Lord and Savior. If this is the case, why is it that so many of us struggle in our day to day walk with Christ? Why do we struggle in our witness? Why do we see so many broken relationships? Why is church attendance so low as compared to church membership? Why are we constantly behind on the budget?

The problem is at the point of commitment. People have an innate ability to make commitments to a person, project, or community they want to love and serve. We just need to distinguish between a permanent commitment from a passing promise. A permanent commitment binds us for life and a passing promise is something we quit at any time. I think it is obvious that we live in a society of passing promises rather than permanent commitments.

It is so easy to get immersed in the anonymity of daily cares that we forget the undercurrent of commitment that carries us. This is especially true with our relationship with God.

Christian commitment is a consecration of our secular life in and with Christ to the Father. It simply means that we take very serious our responsibilities to Christ. It takes a commitment on our part to pray daily, to read the Bible daily, to attend church regularly, and to tithe. It takes a commitment to witness, forgive, and to exemplify Christian principles in our daily living. It is threatening to us to make this kind of commitment, because we do not know where it will lead us.

I have good news for you. It will lead us to maturity of the Christian faith. The depth of our spiritual well is dependent upon the faithfulness to our commitments. Let us work hard at our commitments, that Christ will come alive to us.

Byron

The 17^th Sunday After Pentecost

September 26, 2004 10:30AM

Liturgical Color: Green

Prelude & Chiming Of The Hour

Call To Worship Strathdee

"What Does The Lord Require Of You"

*Hymn #514 WEBB

"Standing On The Promises"

*Affirmation Of Faith 881

"The Apostles' Creed"

*Ritual of Friendship

Welcome, Attendance, & Church Programs

Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's Prayer

Choral Response "Amen" Dresden

*Hymn # 130 MARTIN

"God Will Take Care Of You"

*Responsive Reading Psalm 91: 1-6, 14-16 810

*Gloria Patri # 70

Children's Time MEINEKE

God is good, God is good all the time. (Repeat)

In our doubts, hopes and fears, joys, and tears.

God is good, God is good all the time.

Offertory Prayer

Offertory

*Doxology # 95 OLD 100TH

*Gospel Lesson

Pastor "The Word Of God for the people of God"

People "Thanks be To God."

Anthem "On Eagles' Wings" Joncas

Sermon Dr. Tim Bagwell

*Closing Hymn # 592 WESTON

"When The Church Of Jesus"

*Benediction & Postlude

Evening Worship 6:00 PM

Lay Led Service, Steve Kicklighter

Those Assisting with Worship This Week

Greeters: Drop In SS Class

Children’s Church: The Woodard’s

September Altar Guild: April Drury, Debbie Stephens, Jean Walker

UMYF Program & Supper: The Kyles

Prayer Concerns

Glenn; Evelyn; Joyce; Byron; Marianne; J. R., John, Gene, Mary

Thank You

Dear FUMC Family & Friends,

We appreciate so much the cards, calls, visits, food and prayers during Nathan’s illness and death.

Love and blessings,

Elizabeth & Jacob Roper; Pat & Beth Hatton

Seekers SS Class New Study

Seekers Sunday School Class will be studying "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren, starting October 3. If you are looking for a Sunday School class to attend, come and join us!

New Parsonage Open House

You are cordially invited to attend the

Open House Of The New Parsonage

Sunday, October 3, 2004 11:30 AM until 2:00 PM

MEXICO CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX TIME

It may seem a bit early for this greeting, but it really isn't. It's MEXICO CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX TIME. In order to get the shoeboxes to Mexico in time for Christmas, we need to bring them in now. You may fill the shoebox with any items that you want Lifeline Ministries to deliver. Possible things to go inside the box could be: crayons, coloring book, school supplies, personal care items like tooth brush & paste, comb & brush, or clothing items. Please be generous as this will usually be the child's only Christmas gift. If you don't have time to shop, we have our 'personal shoppers' again this year; the cost is $15 per box. Place your check (marked Shoebox) into the offering plate Thank you for being generous...and Merry Christmas!

`LoftalK` Orchestra: We are beginning a church orchestra for anyone youth or adult who plays a band instrument, guitar, bass, percussion, piano, etc. We will work on several pieces for use on Sunday mornings, and we will also work on the orchestration to accompany the Sanctuary Choir’s Christmas Cantata. Rehearsals have begun. Music stands are limited – please bring one of your own if you have one. When & Where: Mondays @ 5:15 pm, Sanctuary Who: Anyone with a minimum of 1+ years experience on a band or string instrument. Adult Choirs: The Christmas Cantatas have arrived! We invite anyone interested in singing with us on the short term to join us for rehearsals on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 PM in the Choir Room! Handbells: Adult and Youth (grades 5-12) Handbells will begin on Sunday, September 26^th at the times listed below. Children’s Chimes have begun and are meeting on Wednesdays at 5pm in the “Seekers Sunday School Classroom”. Fall Sr. Adult Trip: This trip in on schedule. Please see Laneah for more info. Fall Music Schedule
`Sunday`	`9:15 AM`	`Children’s Choir (at the beginning of Sunday School)`
	`4:30 PM`		`Intermediate Adult Handbells`
	`5:25 PM`		`Youth Handbells (grades 5-12)`
Monday	5:15 PM		Church Orchestra Rehearsal
Wednesday	5:00 PM		Children’s Chimes (2-4^th grade)
	7:30 PM		Sanctuary Choir
Thursday	9:30 AM		Wesley Chimers/Ringers
	10:30 AM		Wesley Singers

Anthem Schedule
Sept. 26	On Eagles’ Wings
Oct. 3	We Remember Thee
`Thank you so much,` `Laneah Maddox`

Wednesday Nights at FUMC
Programs 6:30 PM -7:25 PM
September 29 Menu: Adults Bake/Fried Fish Kids Meal Pizza
`Deadline For Weekly Reservations`		`Monday’s @ Noon`
`You can either call the church office or fill out the reservation form` `(found in the pews) and place it into the offering plate.`
`Adults (11 & over) $4.00`	`Children (3-10) $2.00`
`Family Cap $15.00`

Bazaar Workdays

Every Wednesday      1:00 PM        Open Door  SS Classroom

Upcoming Meetings In Sept/Oct

UMW Ann. Mtg	Sun	Sept 26		2:00 PM	Sylvania UMC
Hispanic Ministry Mtg	Sun	Sept 26		3:00 PM	Fellowship Hal
Admin. Coun.il	Sun	Sept 26		7:00 PM	Fellowship Hall
Missions Com.	Mon	Sept 27		7:00 PM	Pairs & Spares
Open House	Sun.	Oct. 3	11:30 AM		New Parsonage
Keenagers	Thurs	Oct. 14	11:45 AM		Fellowship Hall
Methodist Men	Sun	Oct 17	7:45 AM		Fellowship Hall

Worship Schedule Sept/Oct. 2004
Date	`AM`	`PM`
September 26	`Dr. Tim Bagwell`	`Steve Kicklighter`
October 3	`Rev. Byron Scott`	`Harold Hemingway` `(Missionary)`
October 10	`Rev. Byron Scott`	`Pam Carswell`
October 17	`Rev. Byron Scott`	`Craig Davis`
October 24	`Rev. Byron Scott`	`Charge Conference`

Opportunities Of The Week
Sunday, September 26 2004
*9:15 AM	Sunday School
*10:30 AM	Morning Worship
12:00 PM	Van Leaves for UMW Annual Meeting
3:00 PM	Hispanic Ministry Meeting – Fellowship Hall
*6:00 PM	Lay Led Service – Steve Kicklighter
*7:00 PM	Administrative Council
Monday, September 27, 2004
10:00 AM	PACE
5:15 PM	FUMC Orchestra Rehearsal - Sanctuary
7:00 PM	Missions Committee
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
1:00 PM	Bazaar Work Day
5:15 PM	Children Chimes/Handbells
*5:45 PM	Family Night Supper
*6:15 PM	Faith Weavers (Children)
*6:30 PM	Small Groups (Adults)
*7:30 PM	Sanctuary Choir
Thursday, September 30, 2004
7:00 AM	Men’s Prayer Group
9:30 AM	Wesley Ringers (Chimes/Handbells)
10:30 AM	Wesley Singers
Friday, October 1, 2004
10:00 AM	People with Arthritis Can Exercise
10:15 AM	Wesley Singers Mystery Trip
*The Nursery is provided for Children 0-3 and with special needs

Bulletin Deadlines

 Monday’s @ Noon

Office Hours

Mon – Thurs 8:30 AM–5:00PM*

Friday 8:30 AM – Noon

FUMC Staff
Byron Scott	Senior Pastor		byronjscott@yahoo.com
Laneah Maddox	Dir. Of Music		laneahmaddox@yahoo.com
Cathy McKay	Admin. Assist.	cathymckay_fumc@yahoo.com
Fleur Ruley	Dir. School of Discovery
Kerri Brost	Financial Secretary
Johnnie Hayes	Organist
Allison Smith	Custodian
Stanley Collier	Maint. Supervisor
Jackie Allen	Nursery Worker