THE
 MORNINGSIDE MESSENGER

Just recently, I attended a viewing of The Passion of the Christ.  Mel Gibson has offered us one of the most riveting accounts of the crucifixion of Christ I have ever seen.  As a result of growing up in a Christian home, I was familiar with the events surrounding Jesus’ ministry as well as the events surrounding his crucifixion.  I have seen countless pictures depicting the suffering of Christ on the cross.  However, there isn’t anything that could have prepared me for what I saw while viewing this movie.  Christ’s suffering was brought to life on celluloid.

 For years, I have heard ministers preach about how Christ suffered, bled, and died.  This was something I always knew.  However, the extent of his suffering was just to horrible to imagine.  I was comfortable with the carefully detailed art work in bibles that showed just enough to let you know that Jesus died a horrible death.  I had grown accustomed to hearing preachers spout familiar words in their sermons concerning the passion of Christ.  These are words that would take you right to the brink of reality, but still allowed you to hide behind a mask of human sensibilities.

This year, I was forced to confront the reality of the crucifixion.  Crucifixion was a horrible and brutal death.  It was a death for criminals.  It was a death that Christ endured on our behalf.  The agony and the pain is unimaginable. With each scene of the movie, I began to see how precious my salvation really is.  My redemption was bought at a great price.  God sacrificed much to save my soul and the souls of many around the world.

As I pondered the reality of the crucifixion in my life, I heard the question: What have you done for me lately?  After years of hearing what I went through, now that your heart knows what was required, What have you done for me lately?  I had to admit that the Holy Spirit had posed an important question.  What have we done for Jesus lately?  What have we done for others that demonstrates the reality of the Passion of Christ in our lives? 

 As I write this article I sit in awe of who Christ really is.  This season of Lent will have a whole new perspective for me as we progress toward Easter Sunday.  Let us take time to ponder the possibilities of doing more for Christ.  He has taken on the world for us.

 In Christ,  
 Pastor Nealy                                               

2004 ACOLYTES

           The Acolyte plays a very important role in worship service.  The lighting of candles reminds people that God is here with us.  When we, as a congregation, see the lighted candles, we are more easily reminded that Jesus is the Light of the World and feel his presence.  When the acolytes approach the Communion table and bow before the cross, they are recognizing Christ’s presence and worship him.  As they extinguish the candles and walk reverently out, it a reminder to us that when we scatter out into the world, God will be there with us.

Let us encourage and thank these young people for their service to the Lord.  Our acolytes for 2004 are:

Brittney Alexis, Shauntesia Haggerty, Thomas Jefferson, Alan Johnson, Ashley Johnson, Loyd  Maroney, Jr., Keianna Maroney, Raven Nichols,

Victoria Nichols,   Bert Pruitt,   Qualiah Pruitt,

Rodney Sharp, Tori Taylor and Quintin Yancey.

Praise be to God!!!!!                

The Social Service offering on March 21, 2004 will be for ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING.  This offering goes entirely to the United Methodist Committee on Relief.  It provides a major source of funds for direct ministry on behalf of the church to persons in need through programs of relief, rehabilitation, refugee resettlement, and other ministries to persons caught in distress situations.

Easter is on April 11, 2004.  The Easter offering donation is $25 per member.  Envelopes will be available or you may mark “EASTER” on a regular envelope.  This offering will be used to pay Apportionments.

 The Worship Committee is asking for monetary donations to help purchase new tables and chairs for the children’s and youth Sunday School rooms.  Please help in this effort.  Mark your offering envelope accordingly.

 Make Stewardship a way of life.  God has given us all we have.  God gave us our lives, health, property, the earth and the Gospel.  Everything is a gift from God.  We are invited to answer God’s call of Christian living.  Being a good steward means committing your heart and mind, your whole life to God.

The Upper Room devotional book is now available.  Please pick up your copy today.  The price is 60 cents.

Barbara Woods, Finance Chair

PASTOR’S SPOTLIGHT

 You may hear ladies discussing prayer calendars, unit meetings or connectional events.  These ladies are United Methodist Women.  The United Methodist Women take their place among all of the vital ministries of our church.  They are mission oriented and are intent on becoming the hands and feet of Christ.  Mrs. Edna Langley is the president of the United Methodist Women.  Every woman in the congregation has the opportunity to become active with the UMW. 

Here are some highlights of UMW activities:

The United Methodist Women have bought hymnals and bibles for Morningside.  These hymnals and bibles will grace our pews in the near future.  They have also bought curtains for the women’s lounge.  In addition, acolyte robes have been purchased. 

Women’s Day has been scheduled for Sunday, September 26, at 4:00 p.m.  During this time, the United Methodist Women are in charge of our worship service.  We also have the opportunity to enjoy a dynamic guest speaker.

Finally, The United Methodist Women will gather for a unit meeting on April 18, 2004, at 3:00 p.m.  Ms. Myrtis Parker will provide leadership for this meeting.  Ms. Parker is a member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church.  During the unit meeting, Ms. Parker will lead our women in a study of Exodus.  Ms. Parker will lead the group in songs that are founded within the depths of African American culture.  She will tell the stories of hymns and Negro spirituals that have been meaningful to our faith journey as United Methodists and as African Americans.  Songs will be taken from Songs of Zion as well as the United Methodist Hymnal. 

 We are grateful to the United Methodist Women for their faithful service in this church.  We pray God’s blessings upon them.

The church works best when we see ourselvesas participants, not spectators.

Going The Extra Mile - The Difference is YOU!

#1 Value

What is value?  Monetary worth?  Degree of excellence?  Desirability?  In Matthew 13:45-46, Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a pearl of such great value - that the merchant sold all he had to possess it.  Jesus was pretty good at getting to the point with the people who came to hear him.  What do you value to that point - your children, your house, your integrity, your spirituality?  Glen Lake Camp and Retreat Center’s greatest value is in the way people have connected with God while here.  Whether at a retreat, summer camp, or as a part of the staff - God’s presence is clearly felt by many.  You are invited to participate in the ministry of Glen Lake by remembering us in your prayers, and by your presence, your gifts and your service. 

Martha Wright          1 Marcus Boyd           3 Donesha Robertson  17 Walter Day              18 Emma Allen              23 Savoy Terral            27 R D Mitchell             28

WHAT TO GIVE UP FOR LENT

Give up watching television one evening a week.  Visit some lonely or sick person instead..

Give up looking at other people’s worst points.  Concentrate on their strong points and positive attributes

Give up speaking unkindly.  Let your speech be generous and understanding.

Give up your worries.  Trust God with your problems and frustrations.

Give up hatred or dislike of anyone.  Learn to love instead.

Give up the fear which prevents Christian witness.  Seek courage to speak about your faith to others.

Give up spending so much time with newspapers and magazines.  Use some of that time to study your Bible.

Give up grumbling.  Learn to give thanks in everything.                 

Give up ten to fifteen minutes each day.  Use that time in prayer.

Give up buying anything but essentials for yourself.  Give that money to God’s work or someone in need.

Give up judging by appearance and by the standards of the world.  Learn to give up yourself to God.

Morningside       United             Methodist                    Church has a Web Site . . . . .     Check it out          at          www.gbgm-umc.org/morningside

 The people of the United Methodist Church

 Open hearts,

        Open minds,

                Open doors!