A huge thank you to Greg Lawson and Rick Meyer for pulling the overgrown bushes in front of the church. Plans are underway to add to the landscaping in that spot and other parts of the property. If you would like to help fund the landscaping, please make the designation on your giving.
LOOK AT HOW GREAT THE LANDSCAPING LOOKS NOW!
NOTE: GriefShare, originally scheduled for Wednesday, is currently POSTPONED.
ELC SUMMER CAMP SOON
Summer Camp for the ELC school-age students is just four short weeks away. On Sundays, Tammy Taylor will have a list of items needed for the projects. The needs will change every two weeks as the themes change. Check out the May newsletter for more information.
Want to hear more about what occurred at the UMC General Conference? Join Pastor Christi Saturday, May 11 at 6:30 p.m., Aldersgate UMC, 2417 Getz Road, Fort Wayne to hear from one of our Delegates, Conference Superintendent Rev. Russ Abel.
WHAT'S GOING ON
Monday, May 6
9:00 am – Woman’s Group (200)
3:30 pm – GOD SQUAD (212)
6:00-8:00 pm – Bell Choir practice (216)
Tuesday, May 7
9:00 am – Bible Study (201)
Wednesday, May 8
Noon – 5:30pm - BABE open
NOTE: GriefShare is currently POSTPONED
Thursday, May 9
Noon – 5:30pm - BABE open
6:30 pm – Alzheimer Support group (212)
6:30 pm – Choir Practice
6:30 pm – Men’s CHOIR practice for 5/12
SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES
8:30 am – Flock Sunday School (201)
9:00 am – Prime Time Players Study Group (211)
9:00 am – Inductive Study Group (Hearth Room)
9:15 am –Youth Sunday School–grades 6-12 (upstairs Lobby)
Please pray with us at 6:05 (CCUMC address) each day, pm/am or both. Holy Spirit, breathe on me and help me discern Your will for my life and Your church. Lord lead us. We will follow.
READING PLAN
The current reading plan is the book of Isaiah. Three chapters should be read a week until the book is complete. This week's chapters are 16-18. If you have any questions, send a message to christi.murray@columbiacityumc.org.
SERMON SERIES RECAP
April 7, 2024 - "Uneasy Start" (John 20:19-31)
Mary had a personal encounter with Jesus after his leaving the grave and so did the disciples except for Thomas who wasn't there. Eight days later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples including Thomas this time. Easter and the following week was a very uneasystart for the disciples. They needed a personal encounter with Jesus to continue in their belief.
How will we seek an encounter with Jesus? What do we need so we believe in our hearts not just our heads. People want to see how we have experienced Jesus.
Be a community of forgiveness.
Be transparent in our faith.
Show a presence of peace.
Are we hiding behind closed doors? Are we letting Jesus into our lives? Are we embodied through Christ all week? April 14, 2024 - "Children of God"
(1John 3:1, 16-18: Luke 24:36b-48)
We all go by different names: our given name, mom or dad, friend, co-worker, etc.. One name that each of us has is Child of God. "See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are." 1 John 3:1.
A heart can symbolize God's love for us. As a Child of God, our Father wants us to love with action and speak with truth. Jesus showed his love for his disciples when he went to their home twice after his resurrection. He ate with them. He helped them understand.
Following the example of Jesus, and the many people who help us learn and understand, we can do the same in return. This is a way we can show God's love, as a Child of God. April 28, 2024 - "Shared Joy" (Acts 8:26-40)
Last week we were reminded that LOVE is at the very heart of the gospel. Today, we see from Genisis to Revelation God is inclusive.
Genesis 12:31b tells us "all the families of the earth will be blessedbecause of you (Abraham)." In Revelation 7:9 we read "After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. 1 John 4:7-21 reminds us that God is love. Love is the bottom line. If we love one another, God lives in us.
We need to put our arms around others, not point fingers, tear down walls, and share the Good News with everyone. What can stand in the way? NOTHING!! Not color, gender, finances, religion, cultures. God doesn't care about any of that!
God's kingdom of love needs to:
Move across categories
Embrace eagerly
Share joy
We are called to share space, reach out, and embrace.
SHARE THE JOY!! May 5, 2024 - "Promise Fulfilled"
(Acts 10:44-48)
Acts 10:44-48 is a short scripture with a very long context. Peter’s prayerful vision and Cornelius’ prayerful faith set the stage for the Holy Spirit to kick down barriers that were getting in the way of sharing Jesus with everyone. The result? Pure joy, as new believers were baptized and the Gospel continued to spread! The Holy Spirit disrupted what they thought they knew, and the Holy Spirit continues to do the same today.
When God tells us to do something-do it, carefully, making sure it’s really God!
Never consider impure any person God has deemed pure.
Know and trust Jesus. He is the constant.
The best thing we can do for anyone and ourselves is to give them a little Jesus.