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Pastor's Notes
from the desk of Walter Cantwell
At my Growth Group this past Sunday, I was welcomed by Joy, our hosts’ young Golden Retriever. She came barrelling down the hallway with her tail wagging and slid right between my feet. With a sense of grace and effortlessness, she rolled over to have her belly rubbed. The moment I petted her, I could feel the excitement and joy exuding from her. What a way to be greeted!

I had a very long but rewarding Sunday at Belin Memorial. During the worship
services, the Belin Chancel Choir’s anthem, based on Psalm 91 , brought the Scripture to life. After the services were completed, I celebrated Scott and Susan Lewis’ marriage with the Harbor Praise Band. Then, I made my way to the Field of Dreams to see the youth enjoying the annual Mud Bowl. Before long, I was gathered with 17 prospective members in the Family Life Center for Starting Point to discuss the life of Belin Memorial. Finally, I met with a group of Church Council and Building Team members to continue fine tuning our plans for the future building project.

Arriving at Growth Group, I was a little tired from the day. And there was Joy waiting for me. This beloved pet lives into her namesake. She is a conduit of joy, overflowing with happiness. Being in her presence changes one’s perspective.

Many people spend their lives chasing after joy. We look to family, friends,
vacations, toys, and experiences, hoping they will bring us lasting joy.
Sometimes that pursuit leaves us frustrated and emptied because the feeling of great pleasure and happiness seems elusive.

Joy reminded me Sunday evening that I was welcomed, loved, and appreciated for merely being me! I found joy in that simple but profound reminder. Maybe the search for joy is not an outward pursuit but an inward journey to the depths of our souls.

On this Sunday in The Harbor, my sermon, Complete Joy, will be exploring 1 John 1:1-4 . All week I have been reflecting on the source of the author’s joy. The Scripture reading includes an interesting twist at the end of the passage.

In The Sanctuary, Larry Kimel will be sharing from Luke 1:26-32a; 38 .
Reading the text reminds me of the ways God seeps into the chaos of our lives, ushering in a season of joy in the most unexpected way.

Life is busy and chaotic. Sometimes we are wearied from our daily demands. The search for joy, peace, hope, and love can leave us fatigued. And then God welcomes us.

Where do you find joy? What brings you joy? How are you offering joy to
others?

I left Growth Group, like I always do, ready for another day of trying to
represent Christ in this world.

May we find joy along the way,
Worship With Us
Currently & Upcoming
BCLC Superhero Bash
Tonight! Thursday, October 17, 6 PM - 8 PM, FLC
Calling all super heroes! Put on your cape and come save the day! Join our Belin Creative Learning Center tonight from 6 PM - 8 PM in the Family Life Center gym for a live DJ, dancing, and games! Light refreshments will be served. Costumes are encouraged, but not required.

Ticket prices are $25 for 1 adult + 1child, $5 for each additional child, and $10 for each additional adult. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online by clicking HERE . You can also purchase tickets by contacting Amanda Romance , 843.651.2930.

Click here to see the FLYER !

Community Health Day
Friday, October 25, 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM, FLC Gym
Presented by Tidelands Health, a wide variety of health information will be available at no cost, and blood screenings will be available at a nominal cost. If you are having a blood panel test, don't forget to fast for 10-12 hours prior. Traffic and parking congestion are expected, so please arrive early and be patient! Registration forms for blood screenings are available in the church office, FLC, or may be downloaded using the link below.

Learn more by clicking HERE .

Chick-fil-A Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 26, 5 PM - 7 PM
An annual event sponsored by Chick-fil-A, Trunk or Treat is being hosted at Belin Memorial this ye ar. Join us for a candy-filled night in the FLC parking lot. Dress in your costumes and bring your treat bags. Local businesses will be hosting a trunk and handing out candy for the little ones. There will be trick or treating, face painting, bouncy houses, a hayride, Chick-fil-A fare and more!

Check out the Facebook page for this event HERE .

Belin Bar-B-Que & Fall Festival
Saturday, November 2, 9 AM - 3 PM
52 Years of Food, Fun, Fellowship and Faith
The annual Bar-B-Que & Fall Festival is a great opportunity for fellowship and provides funding to the Belin Outreach Team which helps with critical needs right here in our community. Begun in 1956, this event has enabled many friendships to develop while providing support for local charities.

Plates or pints are $10. Plates include bar-b-que, baked beans, slaw and bread. There will be local craft vendors and a silent auction. Click  HERE for more details.

Silent auction donations of new, handmade, antique, or collectible items are requested. Drop off items in the FLC on Thursday, October 31, from 9 AM - 3 PM if possible. Some members of the silent auction team will be there until 5 PM to accommodate working people. On Friday, November 1, the team will be working on arranging the items. If you were unable to deliver on Thursday, you may bring your contributions on Friday from 9 AM - 3 PM.

For the Fall Festival bake sale , cooks and bakers of the church are asked to contribute homemade items. Cookies, cupcakes, cakes, pies, dessert bars - all are welcome. Bake sale goods may be dropped off in the FLC on Friday, November 1, beginning at 9 AM.

Your support is needed! Pray for this event and its mission in our church.

Venturing Crew
Open House on Thursday, October 17, 6:30 PM
Scout Hut (behind the FLC parking lot)
Do you like to backpack, canoe, or kayak (or want to learn)? Are you interested in becoming a better leader? If you answered 'yes' to these questions, venturing may be for you. Venturing is BSA’s high adventure program for boys and girls. Our Venturing Crew is run by youth with advice from adult advisors. Crew members must be at least 14yo (or 13yo and completed 8th grade) but not yet 21yo. Adults over 21yo are welcome to serve as advisors. Please come to our open house if you are interested. For more info please contact Doug Wahl , 843.267.6616.

Congregational News
  • The United Methodist Men meet on Monday, October 28, at 6:30 PM. All men are encouraged to attend for Christian fellowship and a good meal. This month's speaker is State Representative Lee Hewitt. Please RVSP by Friday, October 25, by clicking HERE or calling the church office at 843.651.5099.

  • Mission opportunity: drywall and insulation work is needed for a local house on Saturday, October 26. Contact us ASAP if you can help, Brandy Streett, 843.385.1676.

  • The Belin 55+ Singles will have lunch at Caledonia Golf Club in Pawleys Island on Friday, October 25, at 12:30 PM. RSVP by Thursday, October 24, to Charlotte Downey, 843-655-2568.

  • Youth Basketball League registration has begun! Please check the WEBSITE or pick up a registration form in the FLC. Spaces are limited. For more info, please contact Brandy Streett, 843.385.1676.

  • All are invited to join the Rollie Hanna Breakfast this coming Wednesday, October 23, 8:30 AM in the FLC. Enjoy a delicious hot breakfast and short program led by Jane Eason. A donation of $3 is appreciated. No reservation required. 

  • Belin Youth Ski Trip is January 17-20, 2020, at Winterplace, WV. The cost is $475 and a deposit of $100 needs to be made along with permission form by Friday, November 1. The ski trip is for 6th-12th graders on a first come basis; spots are limited. A deposit and form must both be received to guarantee your spot. For more info, please contact Brandy Streett, 843.385.1676.

  • Our Board of Trustees has begun planning for a clean-up of the Belin Memorial Cemetery. In preparation, we will be flagging and removing unwanted shrubs and overgrowth that encroaches on cemetery plots or creates interference with grounds maintenance. The Trustees will look at further improvements and stricter enforcement of cemetery policy early in 2020. Established policy states, “Coping wall (or fences), shrubbery, or any live plantings will not be placed or planted on grave sites. Flowers, personal items and other decorations placed on the grave by families must be tasteful and reverent. All such items are the property of the family and must be cared for by the family and removed when they are out of date or damaged. The Cemetery Stewards reserve the right to remove such items at their sole discretion.”
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.

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