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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As I said in worship on Sunday, I could not have been more pleased with Saturday’s Blessing of the Inlet. Of all the many goods that happened in it or came from it, the sense of happiness and community stood out.
One of you told me how moved you were to stand with so large a group and pledge allegiance to the American and Christian flags. In times when life feels increasingly fractured, it is good to be united by common causes.
As a church, we do that in a variety of ways, including the Affirmation of Faith. We join our voices in stating a commonly-held creed. This we believe, our voices join in saying aloud. Whatever different opinions, experiences, and understandings between us, this we believe.
Most weeks, we are united with a great number of Christians around the world in saying the Apostles’ Creed. Some weeks we use another one of the United Methodist-approved Affirmations. This week in The Sanctuary, we will use “A Statement of Faith of the United Church of Canada.” It was selected because of our emphasis this week on Jesus’ call to love (see John 21:15-19). One of the lines in the Statement of Faith is, “We are called…to love and serve others.”
Another reason it is especially applicable this week is the Statement begins, “We are not alone.” That’s obvious in literal terms, but as the U.S. Surgeon General (among others) has pointed out, we are in a loneliness epidemic. Seeing and hearing other people is not enough to overcome the experience of feeling alone.
“We are not alone,” we will say together, an affirmation that God is with us and that God calls us to be with one another in truly connective ways. So this Sunday, when love is the scriptural theme, and our society has love of mother and child as the cultural theme, our voices will be united in a creed and in saying, “Happy Mother’s Day.” We will feel the connection - and some will feel distanced.
To help bridge that distance, we will support Epworth Children’s Home with an offering this Sunday. Your giving will continue to provide good and healthy environments for children who, for any number of reasons, could no longer remain in the homes where they have been. Giving is a way of loving and serving children who, without Epworth, would be at great risk of being alone and endangered in our state.
This Mother’s Day, let’s give. Let’s also acknowledge that there are women who wanted children and could not have them, and women who have children and are estranged from them, and women who grieve the passing of their children, and children grieving the absence of their mothers. None of this means that we should not celebrate the love and goodness that most have experienced in their mother-child relationships (whether they are by birth, adoption, or by life bringing two kindred spirits together). It does remind us to be sensitive to those for whom this Sunday brings mixed emotions, at best.
This Sunday, as we worship God, let us say together, “We are not alone,” so that those who feel they are might hear a bigger truth. Let’s say, “We are called…to love and serve others” so that we remember Jesus’ great call on our lives. Let’s celebrate that we are united in believing in God, whose presence and calling remain with us.
See you Sunday,
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Friday Unity Prayer
Follow along in prayer with us every Friday at noon.
In you, O God, every family on earth receives its name. Illumine the homes of this earth with the light of your love, granting courage to those who are hurt or lonely, endurance to those who care for sick family members, and wisdom to those in fearful times of change. We thank you for the gifts of love we have received from our mother, father, spouse, child, or companion. As we have been loved by you and by others, so may we love. Grant us peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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The Harbor
Modern Worship
8:45 AM and 11 AM
"Do You Love Me?"
John 21:15-19
Isaac Dusenbury
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The Sanctuary
Traditional Worship
8:45 AM and 11 AM
"Do You Love Me?"
John 21:15-19
Will Malambri
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Pastor J. T. Brown's Ordination
Sunday, June 4
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Congratulations to Pastor J.T. Brown for completing his years of preparation for ordination in the United Methodist Church and full membership of the South Carolina Annual Conference. Pastor J.T. will be ordained on the evening of Sunday, June 4, 2023 in Florence, SC. A few celebrations are planned and you are invited to be part of any or all of it. The first will be a reception at J.T.’s home church, Central UMC of Florence (167 S Irby St, Florence, SC), at 4 PM on June 4. The ordination service will be at 7 PM at the Florence Center (3300 W Radio Dr.) that evening.
If you would like to attend those but prefer to ride a chartered bus from Belin Memorial, please sign up with Mandy Carriker in the office soon - limited space available (mandyc@belinumc.org; 843.651.5099). The ordination service will also be available online, for those unable to attend in person.
We also hope you will celebrate with Pastor J.T. at 10 AM, on Sunday, June 11, outside under the oaks in front of the 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.’s and Belin Memorial UMC’s life.
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Blessing of the Inlet
Wow, what a day!
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This is a big "thank you" to the hundreds of you that made the Blessing of the Inlet a great success. The weather was lovely, the food excellent, the vendors' wares exceptional, and a wonderful, blessed day. There were so many smiling faces and happy guests. A special thank you to Paul Gardner - the behind-the-scenes champion. The Blessing of the Inlet would not have run as smoothly without him.
Also, many of you were nice enough to put out a yard sign to promote the event. Please return them to the Family Life Center so we can use them again next year. Thanks again!
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Youth Ministry
All Youth Welcome
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Contact Brandy Streett, Director of Youth, at brandys@belinumc.org, for more information on our Youth Ministry activities.
No Youth Group this Sunday, May 14.
Youth Prayer Breakfast this Tuesday, May 16, 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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Kids Night Out
Friday, May 12, 6 PM
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Kids Night Out: A fun night for kids of all ages to eat, play, and learn while parents get a night out too! "Kids Night Out" is a fundraiser to support MK McElveen. MK is traveling to Belize and Africa to help and serve others and God! Kids will have lots of fun activities to participate in! Please have the kids bring a blanket to sit on during the movie in the Family Life Center! Click HERE for more information.
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Epworth Mother's Day Offering
This Sunday, May 14
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Did you Know?
- 191 children who lived at Epworth last year, each one from our own communities in SC.
- 265 Number of children served through Epworth’s Foster Care Program
- 100% of your Mother’s Day Offering provides comprehensive care for the children at Epworth. Epworth is not an apportioned item in the Annual Conference budget. Mother’s Day is your opportunity to support Epworth’s ministry.
Visit them online at www.epworthchildrenshome.org where you can choose to make a secure credit card donation or enroll for monthly contributions.
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Mom's Matter
This Monday, May 15, 6:30 PM
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Mom's Matter is a group that is focused on women raising children. This group helps foster Christian friendships, talks about good and hard days in the life of a parent, and always discusses ways to bring God into your daily life as you raise your children. This group with gather in the Family Life Center this Monday, May 15, at 6:30 PM.
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Blood Drive
This Tuesday, May 16, 8 AM - 1 PM
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American Red Cross Blood Drive is this Tuesday, May 16, 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. Donors will receive a $10 gift card and a box of Girl Scout Cookies. Schedule your appointment today at redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code: BelinUMC.
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Rollie Hanna Breakfast
This Wednesday, May 17, 8:30 AM
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Join us in the Family Life Center this Wednesday, May 17, at 8:30 AM. Never been before? Just talk to someone who has been there. They will tell you it is the "Best $3 Breakfast in Town" with great fellowship. After breakfast, Pastor J.T. Brown will talk to us about something new on the church campus. It is the Belin Memorial Virtual Prayer Walk. The purpose of the project is to encourage the many people who visit our Seawall Cross to explore the rest of our campus, which is equally as beautiful, and to teach them a little about the United Methodist faith and to encourage prayer along the way. Everyone welcome.
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United Methodist Men
Monday, May 22, 6:30 PM
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Belin Memorial United Methodist Men’s group is getting together this month on Monday, May 22, at 6:30 PM, in the Family Life Center. Be part of a growing group. Dine with friends and meet some new ones. Representatives from the South Carolina Coastal Task Force on Human Trafficking will be there to talk about the situation in Horry and Georgetown Counties. RSVP HERE or call the church office (843.651.5099). The cost is only $10. See you there.
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Attendance numbers (in-person and online) Sunday, May 7: (Sanctuary) 845, (Harbor) 563.
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Click HERE to see a list of events, classes, and meetings scheduled for the week of May 14. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Visit belinumc.org/calendar for the most current list.
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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
The Palmettos: Anne Berry, Ruth German, Mona Giles
Tidelands Waccamaw: Steve Ford
St. Gabriel: Peg Bryan, Carol Todd
Other: Anna Beth, Armando, Elida, Gerry, Keith, Mike, Rachel, Stanley, Stephen, Zach, Belin Music Directors, People of Ukraine, 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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