From Pastor Tim’s Desk

As everyone is probably aware of by now, on Sunday February 25, the congregations of Stratford St Paul and the Liberty United Methodist Churches voted to unify their ministries. After the vote District Superintendent Rev. Cyndy Garn reminded us that we have a great opportunity ahead of us. I echo her sentiments and also want to remind everyone that our work has just began.

Over the next several weeks we will be establishing a new name for this exciting, new ministry. We will also have an opportunity to select new members for our Building Committee. These two opportunities alone will require prayerful consideration as well as dedicated participation by everyone.

As we continue to move forward in the weeks and months ahead, many more opportunities for service and participation in critical decisions will come our way. I am sure that at times it will seem that the work ahead as well as the decisions that will need to be made will be insurmountable. We must remember to continue to keep each other as well as our ministry in prayer and our eyes and ears focused on discerning God’s direction for our church. If we allow ourselves to become bogged down or distracted by fear, worries, or individual agendas, our ministry can become compromised and ineffective. By keeping ourselves focused on God’s guidance and passing his loving grace onto one another and the community around us, we can continue to be disciples for Jesus Christ.

Whenever we feel as if God’s yoke on our ministry is so great that we cannot continue, we must remember what was happening with the original Christian church over two thousand years ago.


When the original Christian church began on earth, the Pastor was being executed as a criminal; the chairman of the board was out cursing and swearing that he never, ever been a part of it. The treasurer was committing suicide. Most of the rest of the board had run away. And the only ones who showed any signs of faithfulness were a few ladies from the women’s auxiliary.
Robert J. Morgan,
Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations and Quotes

Out of that humble beginning are the roots of our ministry today. May we be as bold as those who have come before us and may our new ministry be a light to all those who are seeking the Gospel.

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

Because of Easter

Because of Good Friday you can look back and not be afraid.
Because of Easter you can look ahead and not be afraid.
Because of Ascension Day you can look up and not be afraid.
Because of Pentecost you can look inward and not be afraid.

Warren Wiersbe


Sunday Morning Adult Sunday School

Everyone is invited to join Pastor Tim and other members of the congregation from 9:00-9:45 AM every Sunday morning for adult Sunday School in the sanctuary. We are studying the Pentateuch which are the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). The books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. We look forward to you bringing your Bible and joining us.



Lenten Thoughts

The word, “Lent” comes from the root word meaning spring. When we think of spring our mind’s eye is filled with new flowers, plants, and new life. Spring always begins with the weather adjusting between cold and warm, stormy and calm. We need to remember that it is the seasonal change that allows the rebirth of spring to happen. We, as Christians, enter into Lent with that same potential of rebirth and blossoming. As the flowers and the trees bloom because of the sun’s warming light, so does our lives bloom in Jesus’ shining light. During Lent we follow Christ to the cross and beyond. It is through his teachings, life, and resurrection that our lives are filled with new and great possibilities. Let us all take the time during this sacred season to reflect, pray, read and study the scriptures, and allow ourselves to blossom into stronger and dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ.

Blessings,
Pastor Tim

Lenten Sermon Topics
Pastor Tim will be preaching on the five questions Jesus asked during his ministry.

2/25/07 1st Sunday in Lent Matthew 9:18-31
“Do you believe I am able to do this?”

3/4/07 2nd Sunday in Lent Mark 5:1-9
“What is your name?”
Celebration of Holy Communion

3/11/07 3rd Sunday in Lent Matthew 6:24-34
“Why do you worry?”

3/18/07 4th Sunday in Lent Mark 10:35-45
“What is it you want me to do?”

3/25/07 5th Sunday in Lent Matthew 21:23=27
“Is it from heaven or is it from us?”

4/1/07 Palm Sunday John 12:12-13 Mark 14:12-16, 22-24
“No expectations”
Celebration of Holy Communion
Holy Week Observances

4/4/07 Holy Thursday 6:30 PM
Pastor Brian preaching
Celebration of Holy Communion

4/5/07 Good Friday 6:30 PM
John 18:1-19…42
Beginning of Prayer Vigil through Easter morning

4/8/07 Easter Sunday
Sunrise Service 6:30 AM led by Pastor Brian
Breakfast sponsored by the Youth 7:30- 8:45 AM
Easter Morning Worship Service 9:00 AM led by Pastor Tim

Please be aware that the time for services during Holy Week may be adjusted. Please refer to the weekly Sunday bulletins or call the church office for any possible changes.