The United Methodist Church of Evergreen

Russell's Ritings...

This next Sunday is The Festival of the Christian Home, most commonly called "Mother's Day".  Many years ago I ran across a little piece which reminded me of my own mother, a piece I used in my eulogy at her funeral.  Let me share it with you:

A MODEL FOR MOTHERHOOD

I loved you enough to ask where you were going, with whom, and what time you would be home.

I loved you enough to insist that you save your money and buy a bike for yourself even though we could afford to buy one for you.

I loved you enough to be silent and you discover your best friend was a creep.

I loved you enough to make you take a Milky Way back to the drugstore with a bite out of it and tell the clerk, "I stole this yesterday and I want to pay for it today."

I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room, a job that would have taken me 15 minutes.

I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment, and tears in my eyes.  Children must learn that their parents are not perfect.

I loved you enough to let you assume the responsibility for your actions even when the penalties were so harsh they almost broke my heart.

But most of all, I loved you enough to say "no" when I knew you would hate me for it.  Those were the most difficult battles of all.  I am glad I won them, because in the end you won something too. 

                                                                                         Author unknown....

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SUNDAY'S SERMON

Sunday's 10:30 sermon will be on THE CHRISTIAN HOME.  It will be a dialogue sermon between our pastor and Dr. Priscilla Grissom.  Here at UMCE we know her mostly as either the preacher's daughter or Kyler's mom.   However, Dr. Grissom is much more.  She holds a bachelor's degree from Mississippi State and masters and doctorate degrees from North Carolina State University (all summa cum laude). 

She has been a graduate assistant at both MSU and NC State.  While a graduate student she served on the editorial board of Psychology Today (as the graduate school representative).  After her graduation she was on the staff at Duke Medical and taught a specialized course as adjunct faculty at both the University of North Carolina and NC State. 

Currently she is a psychologist with the Boulder School District.  She joins us today at the invitation of the Inclusiveness Task Force.  Welcome, Priscilla!  

Sunday, May 7 and 14 from 9:30 - 10:20 am

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Facilitator: Russell Fletcher

The Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue, are a set of Biblical principles relating to ethics and worship, which play a fundamental role in Judaism and Christianity. The commandments include instructions to worship only God, to honor one's parents, and to keep the Sabbath, as well as prohibitions against idolatry, blasphemy, murder, adultery, theft, dishonesty, and coveting. Different religious groups follow different traditions for interpreting and numbering them. The Ten Commandments are listed twice in the Hebrew Bible, first in Exodus 20:1-17, and then in Deuteronomy 5:6-21. Both versions state that God inscribed them on two stone tablets, which he gave to Moses on Mount Sinai. Modern scholarship has found likely influences in Hittite and Mesopotamian laws and treaties, but is divided over exactly when the Ten Commandments were written and who wrote them. We will explore some of this history and scholarship. Then, we will rewrite The Ten Commandments in common, modern language and examine our hearts as we renew our own personal and private commitments to the Commandments.

Sunday, May 21 from 9:30 - 10:20 am

ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES are available for Sunday services. If you would like to try an Assistive Listening device this Sunday just ask one of the ushers or a sound booth technician.

AN OPEN INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP is extended to all persons. Please speak with the pastor about your interest in becoming part of this great Christian Fellowship.

RELOADABLE KING SOOPERS/SAFEWAY GROCERY CARDS  are on sale in Fellowship Hall on the first Sunday of each month following each worship service. 5% of all purchases made with these reloadable cards goes back to UMCE! You can also purchase these cards from the church office during regular office hours.