2/1/2017 0 Comments February 01st, 2017Coffee Cup ChallengeOne of the great things about being United Methodist is the opportunity we have to make a difference for God's kingdom not only in our local community but across our nation and our world through the work of our missionaries, our church planters, and the missions of our sister congregations. Last year we gave almost $1,200 to support the work of spreading the love and good news of Jesus around the world. This year, we have set a goal of giving about $2,400 to this work. I want to invite you be a part of this great work by joining our "Coffee Cup" Challenge! "What's that?" you ask. The challenge is to choose one thing each week that we will skip - a cup of coffee while we are out, for instance - so that we can give the cost of it for the work of Christ. It doesn't have to be a cup of coffee. It can be anything - a fast-food meal on the way home, a new pair of shoes or shirt to join the dozens already in the closet, that extra bag of chips or ice cream for students buying lunch in the cafeteria! Bring what you saved during the week, and place it the coffee mug labeled "Coffee Cup" Challenge on Sunday. Last month, I was on my way home from Harrisonburg where I had sold a few things we were clearing out of the house. I had the cash in hand, and my mind began to wander to what I could spend this new-found, free cash on. As I looked at it, I noticed that on top of the stack there was a five-dollar bill that someone had defaced. In one corner was written a single word: "Mission" - I knew what I needed to do with that five dollars, and it has already been put in the mug! Please join me in being a part of this work for God's kingdom. Blessings on the journey, Jim Called: Face to FaceLast week, we witnessed as Paul, on his way to persecute the Christians in Damascus, had seen a blinding light and encountered Jesus. Blind, he was led to Damascus where he fasted for three long days. Sunday's Sermon Snippet: Face to Face (Acts 9:10-19) Meanwhile across town in a small stone home sat another man - a leader of the Christian community that Paul had sought to to arrest. "Ananias!" God said. "Yes, Lord!" the reply came. In a vision, God told Ananias to go and find Paul in order to heal him. Paul's reputation for hatred and violence against believers obviously proceeded him, and Ananias knew that this command from God did not come without great risk. Why would Ananias go and look for the very one who had come to arrest and possibly execute him? He replied to God about his concerns based on what he had heard about Paul. God again told him to go and heal Paul, for Paul was to be God's chosen instrument for spreading he gospel far and wide. Ananias had a decision to make - whether to follow God's command or not, whether to pass the test of one of Jesus' hardest teachings. Would Ananias put his fear aside and love his enemy as his Lord had taught? It is a test we all hope never to have to face in such dangerous circumstances. Whether he spent any more time worrying over this we do not know. All we know is that Ananias went as he was told to do, healed Paul, and baptized him. Would we have been able to do the same - to love our enemies and seek to help them? We have grown so accustomed to seeing safety and ease of life as an expectation of our everyday life and even as our God-given right that to be called as Ananias was to risk our own lives for the sake of our enemies is an incredibly strange idea. Who would actually do that? Why can't we just remain safe seeking a life of ease? Yet we know that Jesus has told us to love our enemies, and we know that it isn't easy or safe to do so. The reality is that Jesus never said that loving our enemies would be safe or easy. He only told us that it would work. For Ananias who went to his enemy Paul and for Jesus who gave himself over to his enemies, it certainly worked and the world was forever changed as a result. Answering God's call means facing our fears, even our enemies, to go where we are sent. May God gives us all the courage of Ananias today! Blessings on the journey, Jim The Port Church Super BowlWho will win - the Patriots or Falcons? While the big game may not be settled until Sunday evening, we will crown our own winner on Sunday morning in our Port Church Super Bowl. Bring items for the ERMA Food Pantry or South River School Clinic, and place them in the box for the team you'll be rooting for! We can all show our support for the true winners of the Port Church Super Bowl - the children and families of our community! Living in CommunityThanks to and prayers for Dinah, Susie, and Meg as they begin planning for this year's Vacation Bible School! Our theme this year is Maker Fun Factory! Prayers for the leaders and kids in our youth retreat this weekend! This Week at Port ChurchMonday, January 30 9:30 am - Bible Study Tuesday, January 31 9:00 - 11:45 am - Office Hours 7:00 pm - Bible Study Wednesday, February 1 6:00 - Wednesday at the Port Menu: Chicken and Biscuits Thursday, February 2 9:00 - 11:45 am - Office Hours Saturday, February 4 12 noon - Youth Retreat Sunday, February 5 9:30 am - Worship: "The Dangerous Gospel" Bring items for Super Bowl Food and Clothing Drive! 11:00 am - Sunday School Looking AheadFebruary 12 - Financial Peace Class Begins
February 20 - CPR/AED Class February 25 - First Aid Class March 17 - Paint Night
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8525 Water Street
PO Box 116
Port Republic, VA 24471
540-249-4111