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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285 years ago yesterday John Wesley’s heart was “strangely warmed.” For those new to Methodism, this was not a medical condition, but a pivotal moment in John Wesley’s life and, ultimately, in the life of the Methodist movement.
As the story goes, Methodism’s primary founder John Wesley had recently returned to England after a 2-year mission to Georgia. He had been frightened on his Atlantic crossings, at least once fearing that he would die. As he was concerned for his life, a group of Moravian Christians were singing God’s praises. Wesley could not understand their peace and joy. Their attitude was, “If we live, that’s reason to thank God. If we die and go to heaven, that’s also a reason to give thanks.”
John Wesley wondered why they were so confident in their salvation and he was not. Upon his return to England, he began having conversations with a Lutheran pastor named Peter Bohler who helped him realize he did not have an assurance of faith. Bohler encouraged Wesley to “Preach faith till you have it, and then, because you have it, you will preach faith.”
In early March, 1738 Wesley began to do that, preaching about salvation by faith alone - that we are saved by God’s work in Jesus Christ for us and by God’s work within us to believe and follow. He was preaching faith, but it would take another 10 weeks before he had it.
On Wednesday, May 24, 1738 John Wesley read or heard Psalm 130, 2 Peter 1:4, and Mark 12:28-34. These scriptures remind us of our dependence on God for forgiveness and salvation, of the invitation to escape the corruption of this world through Jesus, and that loving God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength and loving neighbor as yourself are much more important than whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. Those scriptures throughout the day, combined with the stirring of hymns sung and, ultimately, a reading that evening at a small discipleship group gathering were used by the Holy Spirit to help John Wesley believe that Jesus not only died for the sins of the world (generally), but also died for John himself (specifically).
As John Wesley wrote about that day, “In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s Preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change that God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for my salvation, and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”
Let that serve as a reminder that going to worship and study, even when we go “very unwillingly,” can lead to a great transformation of heart that can lead to greater trust in God, assurance of salvation in Christ, the joy and peace that comes from an active relationship with our Lord, and even a movement that will help others come into a joyful, saving relationship with Jesus.
285 years (and a day) later, may God give us the gift of assurance that we may joyfully trust Jesus for our salvation, love God with our whole being, and eagerly love our neighbor as ourselves.
Blessings,
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Friday Unity Prayer
Follow along in prayer with us every Friday at noon.
For this Friday’s prayer, we will honor John Wesley’s Aldersgate experience (and his brother Charles who came to a similar assurance days before John did) with the following prayer from the United Methodist Church’s Book of Worship:
Almighty God, in a time of great need you raised up your servants John and Charles Wesley, and by your Spirit inspired them to kindle a flame of sacred love which leaped and ran, an inextinguishable blaze. Grant that all those whose hearts have been warmed at these altar fires, being continually refreshed by your grace, may be so devoted to the increase of scriptural holiness throughout the land that in this our time of great need,
your will may fully and effectively be done on earth as it is in heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(FRED D. GEALY, U.S.A., 20TH CENT., ALT.)
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The Harbor
Modern Worship
8:45 AM and 11 AM
"Amazed and Perplexed"
Acts 2:1-13
Isaac Dusenbury
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The Sanctuary
Traditional Worship
8:45 AM and 11 AM
"Conspire"
Acts 2:1-21
Will Malambri
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Epworth Mother's Day Offering
Thank you!
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Thank you for your generous donations to the Epworth Children's Home Mother's Day Offering. Because of your selflessness Epworth will receive $16,070.00 from our congregation. Your congregational support is crucial in providing the best possible care for the children as Epworth continues to welcome children from across South Carolina, regardless of the family’s ability to pay. Your support is greatly appreciated.
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Pastor J. T. Brown's Ordination
Sunday, June 11, 10 AM
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You are invited to celebrate with Pastor J.T. at 10 AM, on Sunday, June 11, outside under the oaks in front of the Belin church office. The reception will be moved inside the Family Life Center if inclement weather occurs. Plan to be part of this meaningful time together in J.T. and Belin Memorial UMC’s life.
We would love for everyone to take the time to write a note encouraging J.T. as he starts the next step in his ministry as an ordained minister. Baskets will be available in the church office and in room 2 in the Family Life Center for those that want to leave a note, card, or other gifts. If you have young children we encourage you to talk to them about what this means for J.T. and have them make a card or draw him a picture. (make sure they sign their work).
Most importantly, please keep J.T. in your prayers. This is an exciting and meaningful time in his life and ministry.
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Kids Ministry
Make Your Summer Plans
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VBS:
Launch kids on a cosmic quest where they’ll have a blast shining Jesus’ light on the world. Stellar rockets kids on an out-of-this-world adventure with light years of faith-building fun. Stellar helps kids shine Jesus’ light in practical ways when life feels dark, when people don’t get along, when bad things happen, when people are sad, and when people need help.
Sunday, June 25 – Thursday, June 29
Click HERE for more information.
Basketball Camp:
Join the St. James High School Basketball Team for basketball camp, open to boys and girls ages 5-12. The $65 registration fee includes a t-shirt, snacks, instructional time, and a daily devotion.
Monday, July 10 – Friday, July 14
Click HERE for more information.
Academic Camp:
Join us for a one-week academic camp. It will be an exciting and engaging learning opportunity for rising 1st-5th grade students. This camp is designed to offer an immersive and hands-on learning experience that provides practice with essential skills, prevents the "summer slide," and sparks creativity in students. This camp is led by Kate Dusenbury and Chaney Satterfield. Educators are certified, experienced, and enthusiastic.
Monday, July 10 - Friday, July 14
Click HERE for more information.
Theatre Camp:
Boys and girls, the time to start your acting career is now; no acting experience is required. All personality types will have fun with our theatre games and improvisations because there are no wrong answers. Students will grow in self-esteem and confidence as we reach the following goals:
- Learn lines and movements from a Broadway show
- Dress in your character’s costumes
- Sing, dance, be creative, work on props, and more
- End of the week performance for the family
The director is Linelle Yates – a dance instructor, musical theatre, and acting instructor at Litchfield Dance Arts Academy. This is Mrs. Yates 5th year teaching the Belin Memorial UMC Kids Theatre Camp.
Monday, July 17 - Friday, July 21
Click HERE for more information.
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Rollie Hanna Breakfast
This Wednesday, May 31, 8:30 AM
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The Rollie Hanna Breakfast will gather this Wednesday, May 31, at 8:30 AM, in the Family Life Center for the "Best $3 Breakfast in Town." Enjoy a wonderful breakfast with friends and meet new ones. This week Ron Welchel will share his experience with the power of prayer.
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Belin Family Fun Night
Friday, June 16
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Join us on Friday, June 16, at 7:05 PM, for Belin Family Night at Pelicans Ballpark. It's Family Friday at the stadium which means there is a $25 meal deal (4 hot dogs, 4 soft drinks and a bucket of popcorn), fireworks and post-game kids run the bases! Click HERE to purchase tickets or, if you need help, contact Lara Blackwell (843.357.5175).
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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 our Youth Ministry activities.
The end of the year celebration will be Sunday, June 4, 6 PM - 8 PM at the Myers home, located at 4765 Hwy. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC.
Text "belinyouth" to 833-676-4626 to receive Belin Youth reminders.
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Hurricane Season
Be Prepared
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As the official hurricane season approaches, we want to remind you of basic preparations and supplies. Click HERE for a flier with checklists, including primary work to be done after a storm. Please review these lists and begin preparing. Please also identify persons you can call on should you need help with preparing for a storm or evacuating from one. It is very important for you to have someone who will check on you before, during, and after a storm. If you cannot identify someone who will do that for you, we ask you to let the church office know so you can be added to a list of those who will be checked on. If you know of someone who might not have anyone to check on him or her, please consider being that helper for them or, if you cannot, let the church office know who might need that kind of help.
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Backpack Mission
Thank You!
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Belin Memorial’s Backpack Mission sends a big thank you to our congregation for all of your help and support this school term. Your generous donations this year allowed us to serve an average of 240 local students each weekend. The staff in our local schools often tell us how appreciative the families are of the weekly bags of food. Each food item is a reminder to these families that they are loved and cared for by Belin Memorial United Methodist Church. We make a difference in our community.
We have temporarily removed the green bags from the entranceways as we do not collect food items during the summer break. If you have a green bag, please save it for September when we will begin collections again – watch for a notice in the Inlet View. Our mission volunteers wish you a wonderful, healthy summer. See you in September.
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Attendance numbers (in-person and online) Sunday, May 14: (Sanctuary) 807, (Harbor) 621.
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Click HERE to see a list of events, classes, and meetings scheduled for the week of May 28. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Visit belinumc.org/calendar for the most current list.
- The church office and the Family Life Center will be closed this Monday, May 29, for Memorial Day.
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Grace Circle thanks everyone for their help in cutting up strawberries for the Blessing of The Inlet. It was a great success and would not have been possible with out everyone's help.
- The Thursday Night AA group will begin meeting in the Family Life Center (room 5) this evening, May 25, at 7 PM.
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You are invited to join us as we celebrate the 100th birthday of longtime church member, Pauline Caverly! Join us in the Family Life Center on Saturday, June 3, 11 AM – 1 PM to honor and celebrate with Ms. Pauline. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Olivia at 843.446.0417.
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Planning for the 2023 Fall Harvest Festival & BBQ has begun. We are looking for new members for our BBQ Team. If you are interested please email Jeff Turner ([email protected]) or contact Wendy Zulanch ([email protected]) in the FLC. The next meeting will be Thursday, June 1, at 6 PM in the FLC.
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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
Inlet Oaks: Janet Eddy
Lakes of Litchfield: Sharon Judd, Irene Miller
Magnolia Bridge: Diane Harler
MB Estates: Robert Willey
National Health Care: Gordon Fol, Beverly Mussen, Ella Jane Reed
The Palmettos: Anne Berry, Ruth German, Mona Giles
Tidelands Waccamaw: Frank Beckhum, Betty Mar Little
St. Gabriel: Peg Bryan, Carol Todd
Other: Al, Amanda, Anna Beth, Becky M., Durant, Geneva, Irene, Joyce, Julie, Kay, Mike, Milly, Nick, Orianna, Rachel, Ray, Sarah, Sarah B., Stanley, Kaye Baum, Belin Music Directors, People of Ukraine, Police, National Guard, Protective Services, US Military Personnel, and individuals submitted on prayer request cards
Deepest sympathy is extended to Ruth German, family, and friends, on the death of her husband, Bob German.
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Thanks for reading the Inlet View e-news!
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