The Scriptures are a collection of stories of lives that are scattered across many hundreds of years. There are stories of beginnings, stories of call, stories of acceptance of all that God gives to humanity, and stories of the outright rejection of God. There are happy stories, sad stories, stories of disappointment with God, and stories that rejoice in the work of God in the world. There are many stories that reflect the instantaneous work of God in a moment to bring about great change in a situation. There are also many stories that seem to have the people waiting on God to act, sometimes patiently waiting and sometimes not. I think of the Hebrew people making their exodus journey over a forty year period. At times they journeyed with great patience and at times they did not. I think of the Jewish people waiting on their Messiah, some of them recognizing Christ as the one and eagerly following him while others were happy to continue to wait for the one God would send.
Waiting is something that we all have to do at one time or another in life. We wait in doctor’s office and we wait in traffic. When we are young we wait until we are of age to learn how to drive, or to be old enough to vote. We wait agonizingly on the results of that medical test. We wait on our loved one coming to their senses and choosing to turn his or her life around. Waiting is something that we all do. Some of us do it with ease, and some of us really struggle with it.
The season we are in as a church is a season of waiting. Waiting to gather again. Waiting to enjoy embodied fellowship and worship on campus. Waiting to rejuvenate the patterns and rhythms of worship that have been completely steamrolled over by the impact of coronavirus. For some of us this waiting has been relatively simple and for others it has been incredibly difficult. This week we take a step further along the road to our collective waiting being over. I rejoice in that. But I also lament that the wait is not completely over.
This waiting is hard, friends. But God is with us, so the waiting is not without hope. In the moments when you feel like it is, please take heart and remember that God never ever leaves us.
And take heart that the finish line of this season is getting closer. We are almost there. Let’s make sure we cross that line together, continuing in mission and ministry to the world around us.
Blessings,
Pastor Charlie
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Today, we official enter Phase 2 of our Prayerfully and Carefully Re-entry plan. (If you have not yet read it, you can find it at
mumconline.com/connect
) Here is some of the progress you can expect during this phase:
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- We are encouraging members to gather in homes for worship. These small groups allow you to have meaningful worship and community with a safe number of people. If you would like to be a host or join with others you can let us know HERE.
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- We are opening the Sanctuary and Chapel for time of personal prayer two days a week. Mondays will be only for those ages 65 and over, from 10:00AM - 12:30PM.
Wednesdays are open to
all from 10:00AM-
12:30PM.
You will need to pre-register for your spot by either calling the church office (904-261-5769) or by signing up online
HERE.
- Classes and small groups may begin to meet on campus, outdoors, or in a large space. Leaders, please contact Pastor Carrie to learn more and to sign up your class so that we can make sure there are not conflicts on the calendar. Having a limited number of people on campus at one time means that we need to be diligent in scheduling all our classes and groups to help keep each other safe. Each class will be responsible to cleaning and sanitizing their spaces after they are done.
- We are making plans for in-person worship and are asking everyone to take our planning survey so that we can have an idea of how many people we may have and when. You can find that survey HERE.
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Our pastors recorded a discussion with our member and local physician, Dr. Diana Twiggs about the realities of the virus right now and the unique issues a church faces in opening the campus to worship and activities. You can watch it
HERE.
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Sundays, 9:30AM:
New Testament: Chronological Reading Study with Andy Foote
Yokefellows Class
with Carol Carroll
Kids Sunday School
Sundays, Anytime Between 10:00AM - 10:55AM
Virtual Coffee and Donuts
(
Meeting ID: 851 3188 6995
Password: Memorial)
Sunday Afternoon
Youth Group, 5:00PM
Tuesdays, 12:15PM
Scriptural Imagination
with Pastor Drew
12:00PM.
Wednesdays, 1:30PM
Mom's Conne
X
ion Group
Wednesday Night, 6:00PM
Faithlinks with Carrie Mac,
Book of John with Pastor Charlie,
A Study on Hymns with Dr. Joan,
Scriptural Imagination
with Pastor Carrie
(Use the Wednesday Night Group Meeting Code:
920 047 271)
Thursday
Men's Bible Study with Dave Bowers, 7:30AM
Active Faith by Paul Chilcote
with Pastor Carrie, 10:00AM
Scriptural Imagination by Bishop Ken Carter
with Pastor's Drew and Carrie
12:15PM.
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Join us Sunday as We Begin a NEW Worship Series!
Over ten weeks, we will look at the big story of Scripture to discover that we were created for intimacy with God and how we cultivate it more in our lives.
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Gather a candle, and your Bible, and tune in for worship Sunday, June 21st at 11:00AM on Facebook!
Find the feed HERE.
OR join us later on your
YouTube page.
The worship service will be posted there by Sunday afternoon.
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Join us for "Virtual Coffee & Donuts" Drop in any time between 10:00AM - 10:55AM.
Join with video via the app:
Meeting ID: 851 3188 6995
Password: Memorial
Join without video via cell phone or home phone:
Call: 1 301 715 8592
Meeting ID: 851 3188 6995
Password: 546533
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We are getting SO excited about our Compassion Camp virtual VBS. Packs will be available to registered families with activities and supplies and T0shirts for the "campers!" Our volunteers are working on videos and live feed meet-ups to make this VBS special! Sign up today!! Questions or to see how you can help, email
Pastor Carrie
.
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Join a Class or Small Group!
(As of this week, all of these classes currently meet over ZOOM)
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SUNDAY CLASSES:
New Testament:Chronological Reading Study with Andy Foote, 9:30AM
(Contact
Andy Foote
for the invite)
Yokefellows Class
with Carol Carroll, 9:30AM
Kids Sunday School, 9:30AM
SUNDAY GROUPS:
Virtual Coffee & Donuts
Anytime Between 10:00AM - 10:55AM
(Meeting ID: 851 3188 6995 Password: Memorial)
Youth Group, 5:00PM
TUESDAYS:
Scriptural Imagination
with Pastor Drew
WEDNESDAY CLASSES & GROUPS
Mom's ConneXion Group, 1:30PM
Disciple's Fast Track, 5:00PM
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Wednesday afternoon:
NEW!
Beginning June 24th. Reading Through the New Testament with Pastor Alyce, 5:00PM
Wednesdays Night Classes:
Carrie Mac
- Book of John w/Pastor Charlie
- High School Girls,
- A Study on Hymns with Dr. Joan
class materials)
- Kid's Encounter Worship
- Scriptural Imagination with Pastor Carrie
All Begin at 6:00PM
(Use the Wednesday Night Group Meeting Code: 920 047 271)
THURSDAY CLASSES:
Men's Bible Study
with Dave Bowers, 7:30AM
Active Faith
by Paul Chilcote with Pastor Carrie, 10:00AM
Scriptural Imagination
by Bishop Ken Carter with Pastor's Drew and Carrie
12:15PM.
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Info on
NEW
Classes!
Coming Soon! Reading Through the New Testament with Pastor Alyce
Pastor Alyce will be hosting a a class for reading through the New Testament. Using the Disciple Fast Track Curriculum the class will journey through the New Testament seeking to learn more about Jesus and disciples. RSVP to
rsvp@mumconline.com
to sign up. Class is 12 weeks long on Wednesday nights at 5:00PM beginning on June 24th.
Another Session of Disciple's Path Beginning July 8th!
This six-week class looks at the history of Christianity, the beliefs of the United Methodist Church, and how we live out our faith through prayer, Scripture, giving, and service. Disciple’s Path is offered three times a year and is required for those interested in joining Memorial as members. Classes will be Wednesday nights at 6:00PM over ZOOM. Please email
RSVP@mumconline.com
to sign up or contact
Karen Schmitt
for more information!
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The pandemic has not stopped our Memorial family from volunteering in the community! Our own Peter Pomeroy was named
VIP Volunteer of the Month for his continued work at Barnabas! Congrats, Peter! #LoveShowsUp
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FL:Conference controls historic cemetery after church closes
The closing of any church in the Florida Conference can be difficult, but members of Asbury United Methodist Church in New Port Richey have an extra concern. Asbury will close its doors as an independent church on June 30. It was acquired as a...
Read more
www.flumc.org
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FEMA’s Updated COVID-19 Preparation Guidelines
FEMA continues to coordinate with state, local, tribal, and territorial officials, along with the private sector, to share operational guidance and to encourage hurricane planning that reflects public health guidelines.
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Local churches show resilience in crisis | United...
By Heather Hahn June 18, 2020 | UM News The first week East Stone Gap United Methodist Church held online-only worship, the pastor shared the good news of Christ but found sobering news when he looked at the offering receipts. Worshippers gave a...
Read more
www.umnews.org
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Renewed vigor in the fight against racism | United...
United Methodists should focus on dismantling racism in the church as a step toward doing so in the entire world, said a bishop who is involved in a major new antiracism initiative by the church. "We do live in hope," said Bishop Cynthia...
Read more
www.umnews.org
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Y
our financial giving is still very important to our church. Giving online is easy & a good option at this time. Contact the church office with questions.
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Ways to GIVE @Memorial.
- BANK PROGRAM: If you bank through Thrivent, Memorial is enrolled in Thrivent Choice
- SNAIL MAIL: Mail in a donation to Memorial United Methodist Church, 601 Centre Street, Fernandina Beach, Fl 32034
- Bring your donation by the Partin Center and drop it in the mail slot. Offering envelopes are now available outside the front door.
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The United Methodist Church has its own news service!
Methodist New Service website,
umnews.org
,
or the Florida Conference Website,
flumc.org
.
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