Greetings!
Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God.
~ 2 Corinthians 3:5 RSV
Has the thought ever crossed your mind that because of your past mistakes God couldn’t possibly use you? Have you ever felt like your past has disqualified you from a relevant future? Let’s consider some of the heroes mentioned in the Bible. Jacob was a cheater and a swindler. Peter had a terrible temper. David had an affair and then had the woman’s husband killed to cover it up.
Noah got drunk, Jonah ran from God, and Paul was a murderer. Gideon was insecure, Miriam was a gossip, and Martha was a worrier. Thomas was a doubter, Sarah was impatient, Elijah was moody, and Mary Magdalene was reported to be a prostitute. Moses stuttered, Zacchaeus was short, and Abraham was old. Last but not least, Lazarus was dead. Yet in all these imperfect people’s lives, God was glorified and His Kingdom proclaimed.
God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. The Pharisees and Sadducees thought they were the qualified ones, the called - yet they were blind and full of dead men’s bones. Whom God calls, He qualifies. Whom He qualifies, He equips for service. Your past isn’t the end; it’s just the beginning for God. He’s got great plans for you.
Don’t let your past keep you from a glorious future. Your mistakes can prevent others from doing the same, so share your story. Recognize that God is working in and equipping you. You can do all things through Christ.
~ Brenda Beattie
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"Making a Lasting Difference in Our Lives"
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For those who plan to attend worship in person, please let us know by email or phone so we can prepare accordingly:
We will follow the guidelines as set by the Conference and the CDC with:
- Requesting you wear a mask.
- Use the hand sanitizers at the door
- Have your temperature taken at the door
- We will have social distancing with the seating.
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We will not be singing out loud, but you may hum along with the songs played.
Please arrive early to have your temperature taken and to be ushered to your seat before the service begins. Thank you!
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"Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." ~ Jeremiah 17:14
Please pray for the following:
Rosemary Althoff, Rev Sherry Angus, Roger Betten,
Rev Gary Buhl, Paul Clapper, Ann Gooden Combs, Ann Marcia Costello, Rev. Dennis DeWitt, Lu Edwards, Mike Edwards, Josephine Farley,
Fouts Family, Connie Hamilton, Hedger Family, Helen Holt, Bob King, Don Kinnaird, Diane Levey,
Rick Littlefield, Duane & Margot Moore,
Mary Doris Parker, John Pesiri, Jerry Shelso,
Tim Swafford, Linda Theiss, Angie Thompson, Penny Weiskerger, Mary Woltz, Charlie Wooten.
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The flowers on the Altar this Sunday are placed in loving memory of Charlie's parents, George & Bessie Hackney
~ Charlie & Niki Hackney
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October is known as Pastor Appreciation Month. As you creatively express gratitude to your pastor, you demonstrate much more than you realize. Expressing gratitude and appreciation is a very practical witness to your community of God's grace and mercy.
As Clergy prepare for the busy advent season, this is a wonderful time for laity to remind our clergy and their families how very much they are appreciated.
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Reformation Day is October 31st
We will celebrate Reformation Sunday on Oct. 25th. We trace our heritage back through John and Charles Wesley, both priests in the Church of England, rather than to the branch of Protestantism that comes through the reformers Martin Luther and John Calvin.
That is not to say that there is no place in our worship for remembering and considering the Protestant Reformation. Even without Luther in our family tree, he has had considerable impact upon us; and the principles of the Reformation continue to be ours — salvation, not by works, but by faith; the priesthood of all believers; the primacy of Scripture; worship in the vernacular; and more.
Today, however — approaching 500 years since Luther posted his 95 Theses on October 31, 1517, on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany (where he served as assistant pastor) — we are more likely to incorporate themes of ecumenicalism and cooperation, understanding and mutual appreciation, working toward unity, strengthening and revitalizing the church, as well as the historic themes. Along with "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" (United Methodist Hymnal, 110), and "Lift High the Cross" (United Methodist Hymnal, 159), we might sing "God Is Here" (United Methodist Hymnal, 660), "In Unity We Lift Our Song" (The Faith We Sing, 2221), and "Built on a Rock the Church Doth Stand" (Worship & Song, 3147).
"Built on a Rock the Church Doth Stand"
"Built on a Rock the Church Doth Stand" is a great traditional hymn that incorporates a number of Reformation themes, past and present. It has never appeared in any of our Methodist hymnals. The text is by Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (1783-1872), considered to be Denmark's greatest hymn writer. He was ordained in 1811, but was denied appointment as a pastor because of the controversy his early sermons stirred. He became a chaplain of a women's home and wrote extensively on Norse mythology. He wrote more than 1000 hymns. In 1861 he became a bishop but never received a diocese.
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Join Me to Pray and Fast for Our Nation
Sunday, October 25th
Today, our nation is at a critical juncture. We need to call out to God for His help, His intervention, and His mercy. It is only by His hand that America will survive and be able to thrive again. We have an election coming up with so much at stake—two vastly different directions for the future of this country. This not only affects us, but our children and our grandchildren.
When the survival of King Jehoshaphat's nation was at stake and his people were in danger from their enemies, he called for a fast. The people sought the Lord and His help—and He delivered them.
“And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord” (2 Chronicles 20:3-4).
I am urging followers of Jesus Christ to fast and to pray for our nation this SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25. Mark it on your calendars and prepare now. I hope individuals, families, and churches will join me in asking for the Lord’s help and for His will to be done in this critical election. Will you?
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October Birthdays
26 ~ Janis Wilson
26 ~ Jason Rehberg
27 ~ Charlie Foster
27 ~ Nancy Coleman
29 ~ Dee Flores
29 ~ Tim Westbrook
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Over the years, we have somehow lost our way in understanding WHY we sponsor Walks to Emmaus and what the overall mission of EMMAUS is about. The Upper Room has a program called the WHY initiative with a primary focus being a community wide online meeting called RECLAIMING OUR MISSION. This initiative is intended to re-energize, revitalize, and empower communities in order to strengthen local churches. The Reclaiming Our Mission meeting will be held online via Zoom. The meeting is scheduled for Saturday November 21, 2020 from 8:00 am – 12:00 noon ET. This will be a time for review of the Emmaus Mission and how best the community can reclaim their part in service within the community. We will be sending out additional materials prior to Nov. 21st so we can all prepare for this time of journeying along our own road to Emmaus.
We respectfully ask that you put Saturday, November 21, 2020 from 8:00 am – 12:00 noon ET on your calendars now. Please begin to pray about this session and the revitalization of the Suncoast Emmaus Community.
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The Angel Tree this year will be a little different due to COVID-19. Instead of asking everyone to go out and purchase gifts we are only asking for Gift Cards or monetary donations to buy gift cards for The Florida United Methodist Children's Home. Please consider making a child's Christmas special this year. Drop off your Gift Cards or donations in the offering plate on Sunday or send to the church office. Please include "Angel Tree 2020" with your name on all donations. Gift card deadline is November 29th.
The Christmas Gift Card Drive Is Here!
As Fall is upon us and we move closer to Christmas, we are happy to share with you that our annual Christmas gift card drive will again take place for the children at the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home. This drive gives us, as a connectional ministry, an opportunity to show God’s love through gifts. We ask that you again consider purchasing gift cards to be distributed across our ministry to give to the children we serve.
Because our houseparents and therapists know our children well, they will actually go shopping for gifts using a portion of the gift cards. These gifts will be wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree to be opened on Christmas morning, along with a few gift cards that will allow the youth to go shopping. Our goal is to be able to give each child $150 in gifts and gift cards. If we surpass this goal, any additional gift cards will be used after Christmas to purchase needed items for the children throughout the year.
We would be most grateful for the purchase of gift cards in increments of $10-$100 to major chain stores and restaurants (larger increments preferred, if possible). Especially useful and flexible cards for our children include Walmart, Kohl’s, and GameStop gift cards. Popular restaurants our houseparents like to treat the children to over Christmas break include Darden Brands and Papa John’s Pizza. We also strive to make Christmas morning special by giving each child a stocking made by friends of the Children's Home.
In order to prepare our campus for Christmas, we ask that your gift cards arrive before December 4th, if possible. Of course, we are happy to receive donations after that date. Helpful Hints:
• We ask that, if not done so already, the gift card denomination be written somewhere on the gift card.
• Please include a gift card receipt with each gift card, as this will help us with processing the gift cards.
• For those who collect cash donations as part of a group contribution, we ask that you consider purchasing gift cards in increments of $50.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact our Development Services Team at 386.668.5088. Again, we thank you for your love and prayers for our children and this wonderful ministry.
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Operation Christmas Child is a project of Franklin
Graham's Samaritan's Purse ministry. We hope you will fill a shoebox with gifts for a boy or girl. You may
purchase your own shoebox or take one that will be
provided soon. Please no toothpaste, candy, liquid items, or food.
They ask for a $9 donation to cover cost of shipment of a box if you can. However, we will take boxes without the donation. If you can't pack a box and want to donate, make check to church and mark it for the shoebox ministry. If you want more information, you can go to the Samaritan's purse website or see Barbara Edwards or Bev Clapper.
Please make sure your boxes have a label on them for boy or girl and ages.
We would like the filled boxes back by November 10.
Please pray for this Ministry and the children who receive the boxes. Every shoebox gift is an opportunity to share about Jesus Christ and God’s love.
To watch a video on 'how to pack a shoebox',
please click on the website link below and scroll to the bottom.
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First for Kids
Halloween Treats
Due to COVID-19 we will not be able to host our annual 'Trunk or Treat' community event as in the past. But we do want to celebrate the children here at First for Kids whose parents have entrusted us during these difficult times. We are asking for contributions of Halloween “treats” which will be included in bags for the children at our Preschool. Please drop off your donations to the church office or the church sanctuary on Sundays.
Remember..... it’s for the Kids!
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Reminder...
Change is in the air!
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Drive-thru Food Collection
THURSDAY ONLY
November 12th
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Great job!
You collected 289 pounds of food for October.
Thanks again...we will see you next month!
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Sermon by Phone
Pastor Clark records a new message every week for your listening pleasure. (Not the same as Sunday's Worship Service)
You can access this Sermon by calling
941-870-3945.
Please share this number with your friends and family.
Be sure to open your Bible to the scripture and read along as you listen.
You can also access this message on our website.
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Would you like to receive professional counseling in a Christian context at affordable fees? Our church provides this ministry to its members (& non-members) with licensed counselors Richard Vantrease and Grisille Feisthammer. For details or an appointment, contact Richard at 941-926-2959 or 813-331-7395.
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First United Methodist Church of Bradenton
603 11th St. West
Bradenton, FL 34205
941-747-4406
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