The Inlet View e-news brings you announcements, news,
and updates from Belin Memorial United Methodist Church.
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A message from Pastor Isaac Dusenbury
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Growing up, I often heard my elders talk about Hurricane Hugo. They remembered that awful storm well, especially the terror and destruction left in its wake. I was six months old when Hugo hit, having just been baptized the Sunday before. “I held you under the bed,” my mom would say, “and I prayed all night for the storm to be over.” When my father and I went fishing on Lake Marion, he always pointed out the graveyard of stumps that were once beautiful cypress trees. Even here in our beloved inlet, the fear of the next great hurricane looms in the back of our minds.
Indeed, storms can be terrible things. They can uproot and destroy; they can decimate entire towns and cities. In the fourth chapter of Mark, the disciples found themselves in the midst of “a great windstorm.” Waves crashed against their boat and all hope seemed lost. They awakened Jesus in a frenzy, but he seemed rather unimpressed. “Teacher,” they said, “do you not care that we are perishing?” Jesus, sympathetic to their concerns, quelled the storm with nothing more than his voice.
Now you’d expect the disciples to react with intense relief and joy at this miraculous turn of events. However, that’s not what happened. They were filled with an even greater fear, a sobering realization of the power and authority Jesus possessed – power and authority that could only be from the one true God. It’s one thing to outsmart the Pharisees and tyrannical tetrarchs, but to overcome nature itself? Who could this Jesus really be?
Well, the church says Jesus is Lord. The same Lord that conjured a terrible storm in the days of Noah is also the same Lord who slept in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. The same voice that brought about creation is the same voice that rebukes creation. Miracles like the stilling of the storm are incredibly overwhelming moments for disciples like us. They reveal to us a Lord who is visible rather than invisible – a Lord who intercedes rather than stays away. Jesus demonstrated once and for all to those unbelieving disciples that there was nothing too terrifying or destructive that he, the Lord, could not overcome.
Make no mistake, Jesus held his followers accountable for their unbelief. After calming the waters, he said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” He saved them nonetheless, though; he interceded on their behalf in their moment of need. That’s called grace. The good news is that the very same grace is extended to us. Moreover, we can expect God to show up in miraculous ways here and now. Have you ever encountered a miracle in your faith journey? A time when God stepped in and saved you from certain destruction?
Let’s talk about it. For the next three weeks, your pastors look forward to preaching a new series that explores three distinct miracles of Jesus Christ and what they teach us about our faith. The first miracle will, of course, be the stilling of the storm as recalled in Mark 4:35-41, but you’ll have to stay tuned for the other two. Miracles are all around us, though. Just look at what this little country church by the sea has become in just a few generations! Thanks for being a faithful member of our growing community.
Blessings,
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Almighty God, whose Son brought stillness to the storm and comforted the hearts of his disciples, bring us peace and tranquility this day. Bless us in our ministry to the world, that amidst the storms and tempests of human life the Church would offer a true haven to those who struggle and a safe refuge to all who are in distress, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Sunday
September 11, 2022
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The Harbor
Modern Worship
8:45 AM & 11 AM
"Swamped"
Mark 4:35-41
J.T. Brown
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The Sanctuary
Traditional Worship
8:45 AM & 11 AM
"Who Is This?"
Mark 4:35-41
Will Malambri
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Epworth Children's Home
Work Day Offering this Sunday, September 11
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This Sunday we give to the Epworth Work Day Offering. Our church will receive the Annual Epworth Work Day Offering to invest in the comprehensive care we are called by God to provide for the children at Epworth Children's Home, our church’s ministry to God’s children. Please find information about Epworth and the Work Day Offering on the bulletin insert this Sunday. Epworth does not receive apportionment dollars from the United Methodist Conference. This offering is our opportunity to support this vital ministry. Give generously by using the envelope provided for you in the bulletin on Sunday. For more information about Epworth Children's Home, visit Epworth Children's Home, where you can also choose to make a secure credit card donation.
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Children's Ministry
3rd Grade Bibles and Confirmation News
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Contact Emeline Jordan, Director of Children's Ministry, at [email protected] for more information on any of our Children's Ministry activities.
3rd Grade Bibles will be presented on Sunday, September 25, at the 11 AM traditional service in The Sanctuary. Email Emeline Jordan to reserve your Bible today. 3rd graders will be learning how to use these Bibles in their Sunday School classes.
Confirmation 2023 planning has begun. If you have a 6th grader ready for confirmation, contact Emeline. This class is held annually to help young persons, ages 12 (6th grade) and over, understand and affirm their faith. “Confirmation is an opportunity to respond to the grace of God available to us, as acknowledged in baptism, and to promise to live as a person of faith.” Learn more at UMC.org. On September 25, at 10 AM, in the Family Life Center, there will be a parent meeting to discuss the schedule and information needed for Confirmation 2023.
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Youth Ministry
Youth Group This Sunday, September 11, 5 PM - 7:15 PM
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Contact Brandy Streett, Director of Youth at [email protected], for more information on any of our Youth Ministry activities.
Youth Prayer Breakfast this Tuesday, September 13, at 7 AM, at Chic-fil-A in Murrells Inlet. Join us every Tuesday morning for prayer and fellowship.
Middle School Lock-in is Friday, September 30, in the Family Life Center.
Annual Mud Bowl is Sunday, October 2, from 4 PM to 6 PM, on the Field of Faith. All youth are welcome.
On Sunday, October 9, youth will travel to Charleston to visit Emanuel AME Church. This trip is in place of Youth Group that evening.
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Acolyte/Crucifer Training
Monday, September 19, 5 PM
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Acolyte (noun, from the Greek akólouthos) - an attendant of the Lord’s Table; an attendant, assistant, or helper in worship. An acolyte plays a very important role in worship, a tradition that is more than 1700 years old!
Since ancient times, light and fire have reminded people that God is here with us. An important part of your job as an acolyte is to begin the worship service. In our traditional worship, we have two acolytes and a crucifer. Worship officially begins when the crucifer enters bearing the cross and our acolytes bring the light of Christ into the sanctuary. This is a symbol of Christ’s presence with us at worship. The candles remind us that Christ was human and divine. You are reminding the congregation of God’s presence with us, and the words of Jesus: “I am the light of the world.”
There will be an Acolyte/Crucifer training class in the sanctuary on Monday, September 19, 5 PM. Contact Lou Smith at [email protected] for more information.
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Rollie Hanna Breakfast
This Wednesday, September 14, 8:30 AM
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Join us for the Rollie Hanna Breakfast, this Wednesday, at 8:30 AM in the Family Life Center. This week's guest speakers Jeff Turner and Sherri Henderson, Director of Missions/Outreach, will give you a preview of all that is happening at this year's Fall Harvest Festival & BBQ and how supporting this event has a big impact on our community. Come and enjoy “The Best $3 Breakfast in Town.”
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Sisters in Faith
This Wednesday, September 14, 11:30 AM
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All women are invited to join Sisters in Faith. This gathering resumes this Wednesday, September 14, at 11:30 AM in the FLC. Bring sweet or savory finger foods to share. Enjoy fellowship, prayer, devotion, and food on the second Wednesday of each month. This is a great way to get to know the women of the church, make connections, and enjoy being with women of faith.
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Fall Harvest Festival & BBQ
Saturday, October 8
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The Belin Memorial Fall Harvest Festival & BBQ on Saturday, October 8, provides funds to assist those in our community that are in crisis such as: food insecurities, utilities being suspended, short-term hotel stays, clothing, and spiritual uplifting. Our goal is to help those that are in immediate need of services and resources.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12.
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Marion District Lay Servant School
Sunday, October 16 & Sunday, October 23
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Registration deadline is Saturday, September 17. Click HERE to register online. Course fee is $30 and must be paid when registering online. For a list of classes click HERE.
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50th SC Conference United Women in Faith
Friday & Saturday, October 21 - 22
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On Friday, October 21 and Saturday, October 22, the Marion District will host the South Carolina Conference Annual Meeting of the United Women in Faith at the First United Methodist Church in Myrtle Beach. There will be meals, workshops, and Bible study, and the featured speaker will be Sally Vonner from the New York office of United Women in Faith. To register click HERE or contact Janice Myers at [email protected] for more information.
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Sunday, September 4, worship attendance numbers (in-person and online): The Harbor 527; The Sanctuary 1130
- The Frances Wilson Circle will resume monthly meetings and will continue discussing the book "God Winks" this Monday, September 12, at 10 AM. All women are welcome to attend.
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American Red Cross Blood Drive is Tuesday, September 20, 8 AM - 1 PM, in the Family Life Center. Each pint of blood we collect can help save up to three lives and will touch the lives of so many more. What a great way to pay it forward and make an impact on people in our community and across the country. Schedule your appointment today at redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code: BelinUMC.
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Prayers and Concerns
Almighty God, shield of the oppressed, hear us as we pray for the friendless and the lonely, the tempted and the unbelieving. Be merciful to those who suffer, in body and mind, to those who are in danger or distress, and who have suffered loss. Let your love surround the infirm and the aged. Be especially near to those who are passing through the valley of death. May they find eternal rest, and light at evening time.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bethea (Darlington): Frances Eason
Carolina Gardens: Pauline Caverly, Kathryn Wall
Conway Manor: Mary Shumaker
Garden Manor: Diane Harler
Inlet Oaks: Janet Eddy
Lakes of Litchfield: Rhea Carter, Dot Hanna, Sharon Judd
MB Estates: Robert Willey
National Health Care: Gordon Fol, Bill Hawver,
Beverly Mussen, Ruth German
The Palmettos: Anne Berry, Mona Giles
St. Gabriel: Peg Bryan, Carol Todd
Other: Ann, Art, Betty, Bev, Brooke, Carol, Casey, Daers Family, Don, Donna, Drenda, Eddy, Edmond Family, Elizabeth, Evan Family, Frank, Gamble Family, Gloria, Jake, Jessica, Judie, Jule, Kay, Kim, Kurt, Lynn, Mandy and Family, Martin, Mary, Michael, Misti, Nate, Roger, Ron, Ronnie, Roy, Sae, Scott, Sheila, Stanley, Tony, Veronica, William, Yalis, Zack Belin Memorial Clergy, People of Ukraine, individuals with the Coronavirus, Police, National Guard, Protective Services, US Military Personnel, and individuals submitted on prayer request cards.
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Thanks for reading the Inlet View e-news!
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