August 2013
Raeford United Methodist Church
308 N. Main St., Raeford, NC 28376
Reverend Steve Castle
(910) 875-2111 FAX 875-0208
(email: )
(web site:http://raefordumc.org)
Matthew’s Gospel (18:2-3) tells us that Jesus called a little child over to him and has the child stand among his disciples. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (NIV). Patti and I may be the ones who have just moved, but the fact is that our move has caused change for all of us at Raeford UMC. Though change can be good, and usually is, most of us do not care much for change. Mark Twain said, “The only people who like change are wet babies.” Still, Jesus tells us that we must change if we want to be citizens in God’s kingdom.
It seems to me, however, that the older we get the more resistant to change we become. Shouldn’t that be the other way around? Change is inevitable. It is part of life. From the time we are born we are changing.
God is a change maker. How many times do we read in our Bible that when God is about to do something new and wonderful, He changes the name of a particular person or a particular place. Abram become Abraham. Sarai becomes Sarah. Jacob becomes Israel. Luz becomes Bethel. Simon becomes Peter. Saul becomes Paul. You get the picture. God is the God of new things. When we become Christians we become new people. In his second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul writes, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (5:17).
As troublesome as change might be, it can also be exciting. Change can awaken us to new possibilities. Change helps us see things through fresh perspectives. Change inspires us to move forward rather than backward. Change is refreshing and renewing.
I’m excited about being here, and I’m excited about the possibilities that are ahead for us at Raeford UMC. I’m even more excited about what God is doing and will continue to do in us and through us. I hope you catch the excitement too.
Remember, God loves you and I love you and there’s nothing you can do about that.
Pastor Steve
ANNUAL CONFERENCE REPORT
The NC Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church met June 12-15 at the Greenville Convention Center. The quadrennial (2013-2016) theme is “From Strength to Strength” and this year’s theme was “Strength to Strength – Grow”. This year’s mission projects were the assembling of birthing kits and Stop Hunger Now meals. This is the first year with our new bishop, Hope Morgan Ward. Possibly the largest youth delegation ever was in attendance.
June 12th’s agenda included executive sessions for laity, youth, and clergy. Also included were nominations, and voting on constitutional amendments which all passed.
June 13th’s agenda included reports from various connectional ministries, prison ministries, disaster response, many financial reports, and voting on financial items including pastor’s insurance and pension which all passed. A memorial service for pastors and spouses who passed in the past year was held and included Margaret Winstead, wife of Rev. Arthur Winstead who was here in the early 80’s. Louisburg College was recognized for its 225th anniversary.
June 14th breakout sessions were conducted and I attended the “Your Gift$ Bear Fruit” which was most informative and enlightening. The statistician reported a total membership of 229,064 United Methodist in the NC Conference with a decrease in membership in the last year. All the resolutions presented were passed after much lengthy and in-depth discussion.
The United Methodist Church’s slogan is “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors” and this was exemplified in testimony from a disaster response construction contractor. After a prison ministry skit concerning the stigma of being in prison and how society treats them, the gentleman before his presentation stated, 25 years ago I was released from federal prison and now am able to help rebuild people’s lives. WOW!!! We are what we say we are and doing what we say we do.
I was able to attend ½ day sessions on Wednesday and Friday, and all day on Thursday due to previous commitments. If you have any questions concerning Annual Conference, please contact me.
God’s Grace
Ann Ross
RUMW News
The Raeford United Methodist Women Mission Team will meet Sunday, August 25that 4:00 pmto make plans for the All together meeting on Monday, August 26th at 7:00 pm.Our project forthis month will be to collect pants and under wear for children ages 4-9 years to be donated to the Hoke County Schools. Please help us with this project. Collection boxes are in the churchor you may bring the items to our meeting. Hope everyone is having a nice summer.
Verna Barnhill
Prime Timers
Will not meet in August. They will resume in September.
F.Y.I
Rev. Castle will be holding Acolyte Training, Sunday, Aug. 11th following Worship Service. All Acolytes please be present for this all important training.
Also, we have had two openings on the Flower Calendar come up. Sunday, Oct. 6th and Sunday, Dec. 31st. If you would like to provide flowers in the church on either of these two Sundays, please contact Joyce in the office at 875-2111. Thank you.
CHOIR DIRECTOR
Everyone has a favorite hymn. For me it is “Here I Am, Lord.” Every time I sing this hymn I think back to the first time I ever sang it: It was when I was in Wilmington and my church had just gotten the then-new United Methodist hymnal that we still use today. I remember singing this song in the sanctuary of Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church, with the sun shining onto me through the stained glass window above the organ. I remember almost crying as I sang the beautiful melody and contemplated the meaningful lyrics. I wanted to be a missionary after singing that song. I wanted to go out into the world and make a difference. To this day, this is still one of my favorite hymns and even though I never became a missionary, it still makes me want to do more for the world and its people.
On a wonderful suggestion by Ronnie Floyd, I wanted to offer everyone the chance to request their favorite hymns for use during worship. The hymn you love might provoke a memory like mine, or it might just be that you love a song because you love it. Either way, everyone deserves to hear and sing their favorite song.
So – here's your chance! Every week throughout the summer, one of these hymns will be used within the worship service. We will sing these most loved songs together, as a worship community and we will share in each other’s favorite musical memories. Enjoy!
Hymn Request Form
Please complete and return to Marian Elliott's
Requested by ______
Hymn Title ______
Hymn Number______
Why are you requesting this hymn? What is your musical memory?
______
______
______
Wed. Night Supper Schedule
Servers: Delivery:
Aug 07 Prime Timers Ronnie Floyd
14 Adams/Conoly Harley Adams
21 Agape Class Kathy Brigman
24 Men’s Bible Class Wendell Young
USHERS FOR AUG: JERRY JEFFRIES, ROCK POPE, GENE CARTER AND EDDIE ALLEN
BUDGETED MONTHLY NEEDS: $21,789.25
BUDGET RECEIVED FOR JULY: $10,962.50
(AS OF 7/21/2013)
The Pantry is in need of items listed below. Small Jars of Mayonnaise, Apple Sauce, Fruit Cocktail, Peaches, Spaghetti Noodles, Beef Stew, Spam, Treet, Corned Beef Hash, Chicken & Dumplings and 2lb. Bags of Sugar, Instant Potatoes, 1 lb Box of Grits, Sml. Bags of Rice, Canned Yams, Kool-aid and Jell-O. Diapers any size. Monetary donations are welcome as well to this fund.
August Birthdays
03 Myrl Clinard, Jack Singletary,
05 Susan Ragsdale
06 Ricky Bunce
07 Doris Peeler
08 Sandra White, Kathy Warner, David
Reynolds
09 Steve Connell
10 Sondra Scarborough
11 Marguerite Vivian
13 Marie Brown
16 Lisa Currie
17 Hank Richards, Hailey Johnson
20 Kathy Taylor Brown
21 Evelyn Myers
23 Raymond Ellis
24 Devin Cook
29 Rosa Bass,
31 Ronald Floyd
Everyone’s birthday is important to us, young and “older” alike. If you are a new member or constituent of RUMC and your name is not on the birthday list, please let the office know (in writing) so we can update the list. Thank you!
Raeford UMC Non-Profit Organization
308 N. Main St. Bulk Rate
Raeford, NC 28376 Permit #11
Return address Req. Raeford, NC 28376