|
|
The Inlet View e-news brings you announcements, news, and updates from Belin Memorial United Methodist Church. Visit us
online
for more details!
|
from the desk of Walter Cantwell
As I stood at the Waterfront Cross Garden last Monday, my heart was filled with a deep sense of gratitude. First of all, I was thankful that the weather was perfect. The sun was shining, and the temperature was ideal. Secondly, I was relieved to find a high tide, covering the pluff mud. Lastly, I was overcome with joy to see all of the people who had gathered there to celebrate a life well lived.
Words of Jesus came to me in that moment. These particular words are directed to his heavenly father, but they are also meant for the disciples and for us to hear.
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me (John 17:20-21).
On the night Jesus is to be betrayed and handed over to the authorities, he prays for us. Instead of being concerned about his own wellbeing, Jesus turns his focus to the future. He prays for us to live in harmony with God and with one another. He prays for love to shape our lives together. And he prays for our lives to lead others to the One who offers eternal life.
Often, I focus on what is happening at church. I highlight the many activities and events. I emphasize programs and mission opportunities. Why? Because the primary purpose of the church is to be a place of connection; where we become connected with God, with one another, with Jesus' mission, and with the power of the Holy Spirit in order to be agents of divine change.
Jesus prays for us to be one. Are we living in a way that Jesus' prayer is answered through us?
To become one requires a willingness on our end to respond to God's initiative. I invite you to seek God continually. If you are looking for a Bible study, consider joining our newest study, Exploring the Stories of Jesus, taught by Kimmie Tomlinson. She will be leading three classes in the Family Life Center beginning the week of April 22
nd
. On Monday evenings at 6 PM, the co-ed class will meet. There will be a morning class at 10 AM on Tuesday, and she will be offering an evening young adult class,
The Rising Tide
, on Tuesday at 6:30 PM. The church is ironing out the details on nursery for our young adults. I
f you are interested in joining her classes on
Exploring the Stories of Jesus, please contact Kimmie Tomlinson, 843.457.1917.
I also encourage you to join me on April 13
th
at Aynor High School for the Marion District's annual Day with the Bishop. The Harbor Praise Band will be leading worship, and the Bishop will preach. You do not want to miss this special event! After worship all participants will assemble care packages for people living in assisted living facilities in our community. Registration begins at 9:30 AM, and the event is scheduled to end by 1 PM.
These are two wonderful ways to be grow in your relationship with Jesus while also strengthening bonds with fellow believers. But programs, studies, and missions are not the only place where we become one. It happens before worship when we speak to one another and learn what is happening in each other's lives. It happens when we pick up the phone and check on someone who is going through a challenging time. It happens when we show up at funerals to simply thank God for allowing our paths to intersect.
Be an answer to Jesus' prayer this week.
In Christ,
|
Transform
|
|
It's not too late to be part of our Transform project!
Anyone can make a pledge at any time by visiting
www.belinumc.org/commitment-card
.
Please note: if you previously gave to the ONE Initiative through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and wish to continue EFT for your Transform pledge, you must notify the administrative office in writing if your giving amount has changed. This notification may be included on your commitment card or provided by
email
.
Thank you for supporting the missions and ministries of Belin Memorial.
|
Bless
ing of the Inlet
|
Announcing Blessing of the Inlet (BOI) 
A DAY OF FAITH, FOOD, FAMILY, FUN, AND FELLOWSHIP!
Saturday, May 4, 9 AM - 3 PM
Free Admission. Rain or Shine!
Blessing Ceremony at 11:30 AM
The Blessing of the Inlet was started 23 years ago to create a festival filled with worship, food, fun, family and fellowship highlighted by a 'Blessing' ceremony, celebrating our Lord's continued blessings in the Inlet Community. The Blessing of the Inlet was begun to generate funds for missions, charities, and nonprofit organizations. We hope you will attend this year and be blessed. For more information, please visit:
www.blessingoftheinlet.com.
BOI Parking
The parking field will be open for parking this year and handicap parking will be at the back of the parking field with golf cart pick up/drop off. There will not be any shuttle bus rides this year.
BOI T-Shirts
T-shirts will be available for purchase on Sunday, March 31 and Sunday, April 7 in the Family Life Center lobby. Shirts will also be available at the Lenten lunch on April 3. Local sales locations include Lee's Inlet Apothecary, The Lazy Gator, Lee's Inlet Kitchen and MISC.
The cost is $12 for short sleeve or $22 for long sleeve t-shirts. Cash or checks are accepted (made payable to Belin UMC Youth Ministry). Sizes range from Youth Extra Small to Adult 4XL.
This makes a great gift to put in those Easter baskets and is a great way to support our Belin Youth Ministry. Please note youth and adults volunteering at the Blessing of the Inlet are asked to wear a BOI t-shirt.
BOI Angel Sponsors
Angel Sponsors are needed to support this year's Blessing of the Inlet. One way to support this great event is to become an Angel Sponsor. You can become a Guardian Angel, Angel or Archangel. All Angels will be listed in the Blessing program. For details contact Mickie Hilton.
|
Easter Egg Hunt
|
Belin Memorial Children's Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 13, 10 AM - 12 PM.
Kids are invited to bring family and friends to participate in the annual Easter Egg Hunt in the Family Life Center. Bring your own basket to collect eggs! Enjoy refreshments, crafts, the Easter story, and take pictures with the Easter Bunny.
|
Fish
Fry
|
International Missions Team
Good Friday Fish Fry
Friday, April 19
1st Serving: 11 AM - 1:30 PM
2nd Serving: 5 PM - 6:30 PM
Join us in the Belin Family Life Center for a delicious meal of fish, french fries, hushpuppies and coleslaw. Tickets are available in the church office, Family Life Center, or from any member of the Guatemala team, they are $9 in advance or $10 at the door. Takeout is also available. All proceeds benefit Belin Memorial's mission trip to Guatemala!
|
Easte
r Garden
|
 Easter Garden Donations
Inspired by the Garden Tomb, a possible site of the resurrection of Jesus, Belin
Memorial is continuing an exciting garden project.
Donations will be received to purchase a variety of plants and flowers that will adorn our worship services on Easter morning, bringing vibrant colors to The Sanctuary and The Harbor.
After Easter, they will be added to the Belin gardens around our campus to remind us of the resurrection and Easter celebration.
Donate
HERE
by printing this form, order deadline is Monday, April 8, 2019.
|
Sweet Gr
ass Basket Class
|
A new four-week
sweet grass basket class
will be offered in April.
Learn how to make our local, treasured sweet grass baskets
Tuesdays, 9 AM - 12 PM, from
April 2 - 23.
Class size is limited, so sign up soon by contacting class instructor Gail Moona, 843.254.4268.
Checks should be made payable to Gail Moona and may be dropped off in the Family Life Center drop safe.
|
Wor
ship With Us
|
|
THE SANCTUARY
Traditional Worship
8:45 AM, 11 AM
"I'm Giving Up... for Lent
"
(sermon 4)
Matthew 18:21-35
Mike Alexander
THE HARBOR
Modern Worship
8:45 AM, 11 AM
Genesis 2:8-9; 15; 18-22
Walter Cantwell
|
Congr
egational News
|
We need help measuring and building wheelchair ramps. If you would like to help with the ramp ministry, please contact Brandy Streett, 843.385.1676.
Looking for a way to serve your church?
We have a critical need for additional ushers for both traditional worship services. Ushers serve each Sunday for two months each year, typically six months apart. For more information, please contact
Charlie or Elaine Pinson, 843.314.0024.
Volunteers are needed
to help manage and oversee parking on the church campus. As our congregation grows, we are finding new and better solutions to make sure our parking lots are safe and accessible for everyone. To volunteer, please contact Jane Sparks,
843.357.5185.
|
The
Week Ahead
|
|
Take a moment to look through the calendar for the upcoming week to see what's going on in the life of Belin Memorial United Methodist Church - a church with heart!
|
________________________________________________________
Follow and share on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @ Belin UMC.
|
|
Thanks for reading the Inlet View E-News! Visit our website for the most up-to-date information on everything happening at Belin Memorial!
|
|
|
|
|
|
