|
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 B. Mike Alexander, Jr.
Quō Vādis
is a Latin phrase meaning "Where are you marching?" This may just be a reference to a tradition regarding Saint Peter. According to legend, Peter flees from crucifixion in Rome at the hands of the government. Of all things, along the road outside Rome, Peter meets the risen Jesus. Peter asks Jesus, "Quō vādis?" Jesus replies, "Rōmam eō iterum crucifīgī ("I am going to Rome to be crucified again").
Peter reflects momentarily on the powerful words of Jesus. Consequently, he gains the courage to continue his ministry. Peter turns around and returns to the city.
Quō Vādis
is an appropriate question for us to ask ourselves as we come to the end of 2018 and embark together on the year 2019. Where are we marching? Where are we going? What kind of church will we be in the New Year? What does God call us to be and do?
As we transition from one year to another, I want to make you aware of our 4 Christmas Eve services. On Christmas Eve, we'll worship at 4 PM in The Harbor. This service will appeal to families with younger children. At 6 PM, we will worship in The Harbor and The Sanctuary. This will help us address our traditional large service at 6 PM. Hopefully, there will be plenty of space so no one will have to walk away. At 11 PM, we will worship in The Sanctuary. All services will observe candle lighting.
Just so you will be prepared, the offerings at all Christmas Eve services will be divided between our Belin Memorial Backpack Mission and Morning Glory, a children's home in Guatemala. My heart is strangely warmed by all that I see happening with children near and far away because of the mission and ministry of this great church.
Quō Vādis? Where are we marching as a church? As we move into the New Year, I am reminded of John Wesley's instructions for us to adhere to scripture: "That there might be no schism in the body" (I Corinthians 12:25). For Wesley, the father of Methodism, people don't split and walk away. God's people just don't do that! Instead, God's people maintain a tender care for each other, hanging in there with one another for the betterment of the Christian faith. God's people are patient and learn how to forgive and understand one another.
John Wesley maintained that we must never be weary of well-doing, that is, just being decent with one another. Wesley's instructions were to "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." As we move into the future, let's make a covenant to be one in the Spirit and one in the Lord. And if we do this, all the world will know we are Christians by our love. Yes, all the world will know we are Christians by our love.
Quō vādis?
|
Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, December 9, 4 PM
St. John's Outdoor Chapel
This is a time to give thanks for all God's creatures and remember those pets no longer with us. All pets are welcome and will be individually blessed. Remembrance candles will be available to light. Please have your pets in a carrier or on a leash. Monetary and pet supply donations to benefit local animal shelters will be appreciated.
|
Christmas Gathering Dinner & Children's Pageant
|
The Annual Christmas Gathering Dinner Wednesday, December 12, 5 PM Family Life Center
Reservations are required for this catered dinner. Please reserve by Monday, December 10, at 12 noon. Reserve online (click) or contact Brandy Streett, [email protected] or 843.357.5180.
Menu: fried chicken, green beans, macaroni & cheese, roll, cupcakes, and beverage (catered by Prossers BBQ Restaurant of Murrells Inlet). Cost is $8 adult; $4 ages 3-11; no charge under 3 years of age. Volunteers are needed to assist with set up and serving of the meal (contact Brandy Streett).
The annual Children's Christmas Pageant will be performed this same evening, beginning at 6 PM (no reservations needed for pageant attendance). We hope you will bring the whole family for this evening of great food, warm fellowship, and a joyful message from our children.
|
Several support groups meet monthly here at Belin Memorial in the Family Life Center. There is no cost to attend, and meetings are open to the public.
Alzheimer's Support Group
Wednesday, December 12, 10 AM
Bereavement Support Group
Wednesday, December 12, 11 AM
. . . for anyone grieving or facing the loss of a loved one.
|
Dinner at Angelo's Steak & Pasta
Friday, December 14, 5:30 PM
Contact Charlotte Downey for information, 843.655.2568.
|
Sunday, December 16, 10 AM
"Happy Birthday Jesus" will be held in the children's building during the Sunday school hour next Sunday. This is open to all children. We will celebrate with cupcakes, candles, and juice.
Please plan to bring your child for this heartwarming event!
|
UMM Meeting
December 17, 6:30 PM
Men, join us in the Family Life Center for a great meal and fellowship. The Rev. Clyde Penry is a great story teller and will join us to share an assortment of Christmas stories. Mark your calendars - it is sure to be great fun and an entertaining evening.
|
NEW 9-Week Study Thursdays at 6:30 PM, begins January 3
Step forward with boldness as did John Wesley when he described Methodism as a movement "... to reform the nation, especially the church, and to spread scriptural holiness throughout the land."
Join in exploring the hope and vision for a new Methodist future in "A Firm Foundation" as we examine joining with Methodists from across the world in creating a church, described by Professor William J. Abraham, as "... missionary oriented, open to the full working of the Holy Spirit, apologetically orthodox, sacramentally robust, and committed to justice and the care of the needy."
Each week, through videos and readings, an interesting insight into this vision will be offered by Methodist clergy or laity along with a witness to that vision. Led by the Rev. Dr. Greg Hill and Mike Carle. Register by contacting Jane Sparks,
[email protected] or 843.357.5185.
|
Thursdays, January 10 - March 28, 6:15 PM
Join us as we lace up our running/walking shoes and travel together on a 12-week physical and spiritual journey in preparation for the Murrells Inlet 2020 Race for the Inlet (5K run)!
Join us for Bible study on Thursdays and for race training on Saturdays each week leading up to race day (run/walk) on March 30. Registration is online only (
click HERE). Questions, contact Jane Sparks,
[email protected].
|
Harbor Worship Volunteers
|
Ushers, greeters, and parking lot attendants for our Harbor worship services in the Family Life Center are needed.
If you would like to help on one of these teams, please contact Mickie Hilton, [email protected] or 843.655.9308.
A NOTE ABOUT PARKING -
We are now forming a parking lot team to assist with parking supervision at the Family Life Center on Sunday mornings. Please be considerate of others by parking only in designated parking spots and not blocking traffic flow. When the paved lot is full, there is ample parking in the grass field just steps away from the Family Life Center entrances. Your cooperation will make our parking areas safer for everyone.
To those of you who choose to park in the grass field in order to save closer parking for those who are guests or are less mobile - THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS AND CONSIDERATION!
|
Honorariums and Memorials
|
Click HERE for the monthly Honorariums and Memorials from Belin Memorial. Memorial or Honorarium gifts are a meaningful way to remember or honor a loved one while helping the mission and ministries of Belin Memorial continue to impact the world.
Memorials and Honorariums may be made online or mailed to the church office: Belin UMC, PO Box 528, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576. Please indicate in whose memory or honor you are sending your gift so that it can be listed correctly in the Inlet View E-News. Your donations are tax deductible.
|
THE SANCTUARY
Christmas Cantata
8:45 AM, 11 AM
"A Christmas Collage"
Belin Chancel Choir and Orchestra
led by Jim Sellers
THE HARBOR
Modern Worship
8:45 AM, 11 AM
Luke 1:67, 76-80
Walter Cantwell
|
Pray for healing and peace for our Belin Memorial family members in need.
Click HERE
for Congregational News and Prayer Concerns.
Sunday school for children will be on a shortened schedule on December 9 (10 AM - 10:30 AM) to allow families to get seats for the Christmas Cantata in The Sanctuary.
A special Blue Christmas service is offered on Sunday, December 16 at 6 PM in The Sanctuary for those who have lost loved ones or are facing other life challenges.
Do you know your fa-la-la-la-las from your silent nights? Test your knowledge of the hymns we sing during Advent and Christmas by taking the
United Methodist Advent and Christmas Music Quiz
(
click HERE
)!
For information regarding upcoming events for our Youth Ministry, please sign up for the weekly Youth E-News by contacting Austin Bond at
[email protected]
. Please also follow @BelinYouth on Instagram and Snapchat!
|
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!
|
|
|