THE MACEDONIA MESSENGER
JULY 2007
Macedonia United Methodist Church
17 Byrd Mill Road
Louisa, Virginia 23093
 
Pastor: Courtney Joyner
Phone: 434-591-0005
E-Mail: cacjoyner@gmail.com
Our Mission - Believe in the Miraculous, Expect Personal Transformation, Live in Community
 
 
PASTOR'S NOTE:
 
When I was in college in Kentucky and seminary in Georgia, I would travel long distances to visit my family in the Northern Neck of Virginia. As I drove through the state, my eyes would catch any United Methodist Church or UMC directional road sign, and I would wonder, "Is this the church where I will receive my first full-time appointment?" I had fun dreaming about the places the pastorate might take me. At the time, it always seemed so far into the future, but now that day has arrived.
 
I was elated to receive the phone call from my district superintendent asking me to serve Macedonia UMC in Louisa County. When paired with my husband's invitation to serve Byrd Chapel UMC, the appointment sounded particularly exciting. Nothing, though, could have prepared me for what a wonderful community we would be entering. Your warm welcome has echoed through our lives and our home, and Jim and I thank you for every thought and prayer.
 
God has surely spoken to me through these green fields and blue skies, and I feel the power of the Lord in this place. Now as we enter this time of ministry together, I know God will speak to me through the faces and lives I will get to know over the next few weeks. I thank you for welcoming me to this time and place in our lives as children of God.
 
Blessings,
Courtney

 
Celebrating Independence Day * America's Flag * Stars and Stripes Forever
 
 The story of the origin of our National flag parallels the story of the origin of our country. As our country received its birthright from the peoples of many lands who were gathered on these shores to found a new nation, so did the pattern of the Stars and Stripes rise from several origins back in the mists of antiquity to become emblazoned on the standards of our infant Republic.
 The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun. Both themes have long been represented on the standards of nations, from the banners of the astral worshippers of ancient Egypt and Babylon to the 12 starred flag of the Spanish Conquistadors under Cortez. 
 The first flags adopted by our Colonial forefathers were symbolic of their struggles with the wilderness of a new land. Beavers, pine trees, rattlesnakes, anchors, and various like insignia with mottoes such as "Hope," "Liberty," "Appeal to Heaven" or "Don't Tread on Me" were affixed to the different banners of Colonial America. The first flag of the colonists to have any resemblance to the present Stars and Stripes was the Grand Union flag, sometimes referred to as the "Congress Colors." It consisted of thirteen stripes, alternately red and white, representing the Thirteen Colonies, with a blue field in the upper left hand corner bearing the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew, signifying union with the mother country. Later it was decided that to save confusion from the various Colonial flags flown on the countries ships, a standard flag needed to be flown on all ships to signify their country. This banner was first flown by the ships of the Colonial Fleet on the Delaware River in December, 1775. As more states were added to the Union the decision was made to signify states by stars, rather than stripes. The stars placed in a circle on the field of blue representing a new constellation, with no state placed above another, but instead in a circle of congruity. This was, of course, later changed as the states became too numerous for a circle and became the order that they are today.
 The brilliant Henry Ward Beecher said: "A thoughtful mind when it sees a nation's flag, sees not the flag, but the nation itself. The American flag has been a symbol of Liberty and men rejoiced in it. The stars upon it were like the bright morning stars of God, and the stripes upon it were like the beams of morning light. As at early dawn the stars shine forth even while it grows light and then as the sun advances that light breaks into banks and streaming lines of color, the glowing red and intense white striving together, and ribbing the horizon with bars effulgent, so, on the American flag, stars and beams of many colored light shine out together. In 1917 President Wilson said: "This flag, which we honor and under which we serve is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation. It has no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation. The choices are ours. It floats in majestic silence above the hosts that execute those choices, whether in peace or in war. And yet, though silent, it speaks to us----speaks to us of the past, of the men and women who went before us, and of the records they wrote upon it."
 "We celebrate the day of its birth; and from its birth until now, the history it has witnessed. Thus the Stars and Stripes came into being, born amid the strife of battle, it became the standard around which a free people struggled to found a great nation."

 
 
YOUTH NEWS
 
JUNIOR AND LITTLE YOUTH GROUPS PULL TOGETHER
 
 Long time, no hear! The Junior UMYF has been around and busy, but we just haven't reported our activities. So, let's catch you up on the news.
 Over the last few months, we have gone bowling, made Mother's Day presents, played games, organized and ran Parent's Night Out, studied what the Bible says about contemporary issues, and spread mulch at the Wells' house. We also helped to distribute Vacation Bible School flyers to surrounding neighborhoods. Then, on a cold, snowy morning in April that you might remember, one lone Jr. UMYF member, Jesse B., helped sell baked goods for our fundraiser. Three members of the little youth group braved the cold also: Chelsea B., Claire B., and Nicole H.
 Both the Little and Junior UMYF groups want to thank all of you who donated baked goods or money to help us out. We sold a total of $473.15 in baked goods. The groups will divide this in half to deposit in our separate accounts.
 Future activities will include making Christian banners to display somewhere in the church, making "Sunshine" gifts for shut-ins, sponsoring an ice cream social and inviting other areas youth groups, and a big event called "Field Day for Food Bank."
 What to do with all that money we've raised? Some considerations are: buying an ice-maker for the church (or helping with the cost), donating to UMCOR or UNICEF, giving to Habitat For Humanity, or helping with the cost of play equipment or picnic tables. If you have any ideas or suggestions of ways we can use the money to help others, please let us know.
 We meet each first and third Sundays at 4:00 at church. Occasionally, we've had to adjust our meetings to accommodate other events that are held at church. We'd like to encourage parents of fourth through seventh-graders to put the dates on their calendars and plan to make youth group an important part of their children's activities and make it a priority. The more youth we have at our meetings, the more we can do, and the more benefits the youth receive. The youth group is a marvelous opportunity for children to socialize with other Christian youth, to reach out and do kind things for others, and to learn about using Biblical principles in their lives.
 Susie B., Betty Jean H.,
 And Kim B.
 Junior UMYF Leaders

 
SENIOR YOUTH GROUP ACTS ON
 CLEANING UP
 
 Louisa Spring Clean Up Month in April found our Senior Youth Group wearing orange vests, carrying orange trash bags and pick-up sticks. Seven volunteered to pick up 7.2 miles of litter. A retired couple had adopted the stretch of road with the Adopt-a-Highway program and now being unable to pick up the trash gave a donation to our Senior Youth Group for taking on the task. The donation will be used for a mission trip. On our bulletin board in the hall, there is a newspaper clipping from The Central Virginian complete with pictures of the hard working group. 
 What a blessing this was for the retired couple, the Louisa community, and those who selflessly gave of their time and energy to accomplish this much needed cleanup.
 The Senior Youth Group meets every other week on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the church. This month meetings will be on the 5th and 19th.

 
 
YOUR CHURCH LIBRARY
Just a reminder, as you are going through your things and cleaning out your cabinets, toy chests, etc., please keep in mind the church library. If you have good Christian movies or movies with good morals emphasized that you would like to get rid of, please let Faye S. know and donate them to the church library. Also, please be on the look out for any movies that belong to the church and return them promptly. Currently missing for quite some time are "Because of Winn Dixie" and "Miracles in the Woods". There have been a lot of new fiction books donated recently. If you haven't had a chance lately, check out the adult library in the old social hall area. Coming soon will be a bookcase for all of the nonfiction books!

 
Anyone Interested in Scrapbooking?
 Some years ago, several church members would get together and meet at the church, organize our pictures and make scrapbooks. This stopped when we were constructing the new social hall and several people have expressed an interest in meeting again. The first meeting will be on Friday, July 20th at 7:00 p.m. You don't have to be a church member to attend. Invite your friends and bring your pictures and the scrapbooks that you are either working on or would like to start.  No one will be selling anything and it is free event. The church is providing a place that people can get away, share ideas and have good Christian Fellowship. It is a good time to start projects that you have been putting off and get something accomplished. If interested, please plan to attend and bring a friend. 

 
Vacation Bible School Memories
 
 What a "Vacation" time it was. VBS is so much fun. There were so many smiles and so much laughter that, truly, it was a vacation from the ordinary. Children always seem to get such a big kick out of all the things that are going on. Lots of surprises, treats, crafts, playing and making new friends while getting to be with the old friends. Everything was planned, scheduled, charted, and prepared. There were teachers and helpers for every age class, and crafts galore, with more leaders and helpers. Sometimes there were glitches in the schedules, preparations, or charted plans, but the children didn't know. All they knew was they were having lots of fun. Some classes had more children than expected------what a blessing that was----and there were plenty of additional volunteers to fill in the gaps. Ask the children, "What did you like best," and you will probably get lots of different answers. Ask the VBS workers the same question and you will get the same - different answers. So what was the best, the most important?
 Spiritual awakening can happen at any time from childhood to old age, at any place---in a quiet moment in church or on a busy street, gradually or suddenly. We are all so different. God knows how to reveal Himself to each one in a special way, unique to that person's personality and place in life. VBS can be a good place to plant seeds that will grow into Christian awareness and hopefully help feed understanding in a young life. The young person may remain silent about the encounter and may even be a little bewildered by it, but one thing is certain; he will not forget. It will remain a high point in his life and he will refer to it from time to time as thoughts of God overcome him. It can be a source of comfort and strength as daily pressures and responsibilities press in upon him. Then later in life as he commits all to God, he will look back upon this initial awakening as the first decisive event of his spiritual journey. God's plan for his life will be taking shape during times like Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, and Youth Group Meetings, preparing for the time when it can be understood more fully and embraced wholeheartedly. Be a part of this wonderful adventure in a child's life. 
"Take the Plunge ---- Make a Splash With Jesus"
And watch the ripples of Christ's love flow out into the world.

 
Goodbye and Hello
From Lucy H.
 
 I do not like "goodbyes"! Do you? They can be so sad, but Sunday, June 24th was both a sad and joyful day. We hated to see our Pastor Jim leave us but we could celebrate the ten years he had faithfully served us.
 A farewell covered dish luncheon was held for him in the afternoon. We even had "Amoco Chicken" even though it should be "BP Chicken" now. He was presented with gifts of love and wishes for God's blessings.
 I love "hellos"! Don't you? They are happy times. Sunday, July 1, we will welcome Pastor Courtney Joyner to take on the responsibility of keeping Macedonia's members on God's "higher ground". 
 We will celebrate her joining us at a reception in her honor at 2 pm on her first Sunday with us. Although, a native Virginian, she will join the Virginia Methodist Conference and Macedonia from Georgia. We look forward to many happy times and much guidance over the years. 
 Come meet Pastor Courtney and her husband, Jim, as we celebrate this new beginning on July 1, at 2 pm. As we will be having light refreshments, bring a serving plate of finger foods or snacks to share.

 
 
Prayer Note
From Nancy A.
 
 Hello folks and good day to you. You know, every moment of our lives something is going on whether good or bad. We always want the best, but it doesn't seem to work out that way. So what do you do?
 Call the Prayer Chain. This is a way in which people you know will pray for your circumstance no matter what it is. God tells us that prayer is one of the most powerful tools he has given us in times of need and celebration. Just call anyone on the prayer chain and your request will be prayed for by many.
 Also, our church prayer chain list has lessened in numbers for reasons beyond our control. We, the current Prayer Warriors, send out our own prayer request asking God to send us more folks who will be available to serve God in prayer. If you feel lead by God to pray with the Prayer Warriors, please contact Nancy A. for guidance and information. You will be praying for God's people in your own personal safe haven.
 O Lord, we put our hope and trust in You. Renew our strength. Help us to soar on wings like eagles; To run and not grow weary, To walk and not be faint, Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
~From Isaiah 40:31~ 

 
 
YARD SALE SUCCESS ! !
 
The United Methodist Women's Group had a successful yard sale. A lot of folks got their closets, attics, and garages somewhat leaner and through that effort, others found good buys and even some "treasures". The total proceeds of around $1,100 will be going to the UMW missions. Thank you to all who pitched in and helped out with this fundraiser. There were lots of seemingly tireless volunteers that enabled this sale to happen. 
 All women of Macedonia are urged to take part in this church ministry that is always on track with church, community, national and worldwide missions. More of our ladies should get involved to keep this ministry up to speed with the numerous needs.
 The UMW annual picnic will be Thurs. July 12, 6:30 PM at Kathy B’s home. Ladies, come join in the fun. Bring a covered-dish to share.