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 Will Malambri
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In my New Year’s Day sermon, I reminded us of Socrates’ insight that “The unexamined life is not worth living.” I then talked about the value of looking back as a way of moving forward.
Our Church Council did that earlier in January as part of our first meeting of 2023. With a nice mix of new Council leaders, returning Council leaders, staff, and pastors, we participated in a S.W.O.T. exercise. Each person was asked to use a sticky-note and write down a Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat they recognize at Belin Memorial.
The top responses were not surprising and collectively they indicate how God’s Spirit and previous leadership have put our church in a position of strength.
The top Belin Strength identified was hospitality. I don’t know what all went into Belin Memorial capturing this spirit, but I’m grateful for those who have made this a hallmark of our church. We have to be especially hospitable at a church like Belin Memorial because newcomers can make any number of assumptions, including that they would be lost at a church as large as ours. We overcome that by realizing that by inviting people (the primary reason people visit a church is because someone they trusted invited them) and by offering genuine welcome and kindness to people (most people decide whether they will return to a church within the first 7 minutes of visiting). Thank you to all who understand how critical you are to helping us be a hospitable church family.
The Weakness most identified by the Council was participation. Based on the comments written, it’s clear that the Council realizes that with all the opportunities we have for study, fellowship, and service, there is plenty of room for a higher percentage of our congregation to get engaged. They, being among our most active members, realize the importance of being engaged, not just for the benefit of the church, but also for the members. Since we are the Body of Christ (1st Corinthians 12), when a member of the body is missing, we aren’t all we could be. We can operate (you don’t have to have 2 arms to function), but not as well as we could with more of our body participating. If you haven’t found something in addition to worship, a Growth Group, a Bible Study, a Sunday School class, a fellowship group, a service ministry to participate in, you are missing something and the church is missing what you have to offer. Reach out to someone you know who is involved or to Mary Mallick ([email protected]), the Director of Adult Ministries, and grow your participation.
The second highest Strength identified was programs. It was also the highest Opportunity listed. Given the concern about participation, I think the Council was observing that we have many good programs available, but not all are fully taken advantage of (although, we can celebrate that all of the studies offered this past fall reached capacity). I think they were also noting that there are different programs we might offer to make connections with additional people. We have to be wise about what we offer because more can lead to less effectiveness and more exhaustion, but we will continue to explore which programs work for Belin Memorial and our local community and try to have a healthy mix of options to appeal to a variety of people.
The primary Threat the Council perceived is our aging membership. We are grateful to have members in all age brackets, but, like many churches, we skew toward retirement age. That shouldn’t surprise us in a retirement destination like Murrells Inlet. It also shouldn’t be lost on us that there are great benefits to having many retirees, including the wisdom and experience they bring. Our retirees participate at a high level in studies, fellowship, service, and financial support. We will continue to be grateful for our ministry with and among retirees. We will also give added attention to finding ways to connect with younger members of our church family and our area. A new team has just begun work on enhancing our ministry with younger families, younger men, and younger women. There will be more to come in our attempt to reduce this threat, including a new Moms Matter group that will have its first gathering on Monday, February 6, at 6:30 PM.
Individuals do well to examine their lives in order to improve, as do Churches. I’m thankful for our Council, staff, and clergy leadership in helping Belin Memorial be even more effective for Jesus’ sake.
Blessings,
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Friday Unity Prayer
Follow along in prayer with us every Friday at noon.
Give us, O Lord,
steadfast hearts, which no unworthy thought can drag downward,
unconquered hearts, which no tribulation can wear out,
upright hearts, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside.
Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God,
understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find
you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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The Harbor
Modern Worship
8:45 AM and 11 AM
"Now, a Word from God"
John 1:14-18
Isaac Dusenbury
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The Sanctuary
Traditional Worship
8:45 AM and 11 AM
"A Word from the Word"
Luke 4:16-30
Will Malambri
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Acolyte Training
Today, January 26, 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 the job as an acolyte is to begin the worship service. In our traditional worship, we use 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. The congregation is reminded 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 TODAY, January 26, 5 PM. For more information email Lou Smith at [email protected].
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Shred-It
This Saturday, January 28, 9 AM - Noon
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Protect your personal information and destroy your confidential documents, such as old tax returns, credit card receipts, legal documents, and more, at our paper shredding event on Saturday, January 28, from 9 AM to Noon. Belin Memorial has partnered with Shred-it so that you will have an opportunity to destroy your personal documents in a safe secure way. This event will be located on the Field of Dreams. There will be signs located there to direct you on where to enter and exit. Youth will be on site to help unload your documents. Any tips received will help fund their next project.
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Youth Ministry
All Youth Welcome
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Contact Brandy Streett, Director of Youth at [email protected], for more information on any of our Youth Ministry activities.
Belin Youth will be going to Costa Rica on a mission trip Saturday, July 22 - Saturday, July 29. An information meeting will be held on Monday, February 13, at 5:30 PM, in the Family Life Center. To register click HERE.
The middle school ski trip youth and parent meeting is this Sunday, January 29, at 4:15 PM, in the Family Life Center.
Youth Group will meet this Sunday, January 29. The middle school students will meet from 5 PM - 6:35 PM, and the high school students will meet from 6 PM - 7:15 PM.
Youth Prayer Breakfast is this Tuesday, January 31, at 7 AM, at the Chick-fil-A in Murrells Inlet.
Text "belinyouth" to 833-676-4626 to receive Belin Youth reminders.
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United Methodist Men
Monday, January 30, 6:30 PM
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Calling all men! Join us Monday, January 30, at 6:30 PM, in the Family Life Center for fellowship, a delicious $8 buffet dinner, and quest speaker Pastor Will. He will discuss how Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” How you answer that question affects every other question of your life. RSVP by clicking HERE or call the church office at 843.651.5099. The deadline is tomorrow, Friday, January 27. See you there!
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Scout Sunday
Sunday, February 5, at 11 AM
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Sunday, February 5, is Scout Sunday at Belin Memorial UMC in The Sanctuary at 11 AM, with a Court of Honor to follow. Afterward, all Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, alumni 396 Scouts, Scouts from other states, and Scouts who were Scouts in other decades, are invited back to the Scout Hut for a Homecoming/Reunion/Open House. Save the date and spread the word to your friends, family, and neighbors who were Scouts way back when. For more information click HERE.
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Moms Matter
Monday, February 6, at 6:30 PM
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“Moms Matter” is a new exciting ministry for all women who are raising children. We will be supporting and encouraging each other while looking at ways to raise children in today’s world. The first meeting is Monday, February 6, at 6:30 PM, in the Family Life Center. Enjoy appetizers and fellowship. Bring a friend; you don't have to be a church member to attend. Please register HERE or call Lara Blackwell (843.357.5175) in the church office. Share this flyer with your friends and neighbors.
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Sweetgrass Baskets
Class begins Tuesday, February 7
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Learn how to make our local, treasured sweetgrass baskets! This four-week class begins Tuesday, February 7, 9 AM - Noon. Contact Gail Wright (843.698.6394) one week in advance, so she can prepare your package and let you know the price for materials and classes. Please arrive at your first class with scissors and a bag for your materials.
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Serve Our Community
Help Monitor Murrells Inlet's Water
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If you love the beauty of Murrells Inlet and want to help protect the water, consider volunteering through Murrells Inlet 2020 and Coastal Carolina University as a Water Quality Monitor. Email [email protected], contact Rev. Will Malambri, or click HERE for more information about being a good neighbor.
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Attendance numbers (in-person and online) Sunday, January 22: (Sanctuary) 927, (Harbor) 881
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Are you interested in playing Cribbage? Contact Mary Mallick ([email protected]) and let her know. If there is enough interest the group will gather on Thursday mornings at 10 AM, in the FLC.
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Click HERE to see a list of events, classes, and meetings scheduled for the week of January 29.
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Vintage Blessing
of the Inlet t-shirts
and mugs are available for sale in the Family Life Center lobby display case for $5 per item. See any staff member to purchase items. All money collected will support Belin’s Youth Ministry. Various sizes and BOI logos to choose from - while supplies last!
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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.
Carolina Gardens: Pauline Caverly
Conway Manor: Mary Shumaker
Garden Manor: Diane Harler
Inlet Oaks: Janet Eddy
Lakes of Litchfield: Dot Hanna, Sharon Judd, Irene Miller
MB Estates: Robert Willey
National Health Care: Gordon Fol, Beverly Mussen, Ella Jane Reed
Tidelands: Steven Farraday, Linda Slone
The Palmettos: Anne Berry, Ruth German, Mona Giles
St. Gabriel: Peg Bryan, Carol Todd
Other: Elida, Julie, Kendra, Mike, Ray, Scott, Shirley, Belin Memorial Clergy, People of Ukraine, Police, National Guard, Protective Services, US Military Personnel, and individuals submitted on prayer request cards.
Our deepest sympathy is extended to family and friends on the death of Kathryn Wall.
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Thanks for reading the Inlet View e-news!
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