Numbers—people have different feelings about them.  Math might have been your favorite subject in school…or it might have been what kept you from enjoying it!  Some people tend to think numbers are very important.  With Election Day looming, you know that people are watching numbers intently: polls, voter turnout, and electoral votes needed to win.  I know that many of you have been watching other numbers: the stock market; oil and gas prices; or interest rates.  On the other hand, many people look at numbers with some disdain.  “I don’t want to be just a number,” is what you hear some say.  Or you might hear, “Those are just numbers—they don’t mean anything.”

In the Bible, though, numbers are very important.  Think about it: rain for 40 days and nights; 12 tribes of Israel; 40 years in the wilderness; 12 disciples; forgive 70 times 7; 7 churches in Revelation.  Numbers represent God’s design in his creation, they represent faithfulness and grace and completion and fullness.

Well, I want to add to those some new important numbers for you to remember:  

90 in 09

What do those numbers represent?  They represent a goal: an average of 90 people in worship by the first month of 2009—90 in 09.  They also represent other things: hospitality; friendship; invitation; welcoming.  Those are all things that we will need to practice in order to reach that goal.  And if we’re doing those things, 90 in 09 will also represent biblical values like grace, faithfulness, and love.

So, what will it take to reach 90 in 09?  It will take you…inviting friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers.  It will take all of us, working together to make sure that we not only welcome newcomers, but embrace them and help them to find their place in our church.  And most of all, it will take God, so we need to pray and ask for God’s blessing on this endeavor.

Peace in Christ,

Shawn

 

HOMECOMING

Sunday, November 2^nd

This year’s Homecoming Celebration will begin with special music at 10:30.  Our new District Superintendent, the Rev. Powell Osteen, will preach in worship that day.  Dinner will follow in the Soong Memorial Fellowship Hall—bring your favorite covered dish.  And if you still can’t get enough, our annual Charge Conference will follow at 2 p.m.

Beginning Wednesday, Dec. 3^rd

Our new mid-week worship service will kick off in the Advent Season!  Just when everyone needs a break from the hectic pace and to be reminded of the sacred nature of the season, we will provide a weekly bit of respite and inspiration.  Worship will be casual, and we will be in the fellowship hall, where people will be invited to enjoy their lunch as we worship.

We still need your help, though!  We need greeters, musicians, and singers, as well as people to help get the word out around town.  If you can help with any of these, please see the pastor or call the office at 763-2621.

Also coming next month

Dec. 7^th: Children’s Christmas Play

Dec. 14^th: Christmas Cantata

Unity dialogue continues in Smithfield, Nov 16

            Since 2002, the Unity Dialogue has been practicing “holy conferencing” and respectfully listening to one another even as participants disagree about the matters of sexual orientation and practice. On Sunday, Nov. 16 at Centenary UMC in Smithfield, members of the dialogue will model “holy conferencing” as discussion continues about homosexuality. New participants will join the conversation exploring the biblical word and the church’s traditional teaching on the subject and the recent decisions of the General Conference.  All who are interested may join the conversation, 3-5 p.m. on Nov. 16 at Centenary in Smithfield, which is providing the space for the dialogue.

TO DO LIST

Do you have skills?  Can you build things, fix things, make things look nicer?  Well, put those skills to work to help our church!  There are many tasks that don’t require licensed craftsman, little (and not-so-little) things that could make a big difference.  Would you like to help?  Then check out the list on the fellowship hall bulletin board, or talk to Chair of Trustees Sally Godwin at 791-7225.