September 19th, 2016

A Blessing a Day​

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated God's Labor Day in which we were all invited to participate in small mission projects - praying for the school, writing cards, talking with neighbors, and making a small token of blessing to share with others. A few folks shared with me other projects they had chosen for themselves like making home-made bread to share with neighbors. 

After returning from RENEW mission camp this summer in which they went out into the world to be a blessing to others, our youth group decided they wanted to continue their work by being a blessing to those in our local community throughout the year. Over the last few weeks, they have put together baskets of goodies and delivered them to folks going through trying times in life

This week, I delivered two boxes full of supplies needed at the elementary school's clinic that you brought in. Nurse Jan is thankful for the support that allows her to care for the kids in her charge. 

Like those who have gone before us in the faith, we have been blessed by God so that others may be blessed through us. It is my hope that we will let blessings flow through our lives each day. Blessing others is not something we should limit to one day on the church calendar, to one mission trip, or to one project of the church Blessing others is what we should be about everyday. What would happen in our world if we tried to pass along a blessing a day? 

Blessings on the journey, Jim

Thrive: Growing in Godly Living and Giving

This fall, we are reading Paul's closing words of wisdom in his First Letter to Timothy on how to live in a godly way that will transform our lives. 

Sunday's Sermon Snippet: ​What Money Can't Buy (1 Timothy 6:2b-10)
The Apostle Paul wrote to his young protege Timothy whom he had sent to address conflicts in a struggling church. Throughout the letter he offered advice, encouragement, and rules for congregational life, and here he closes the letter with some final words on the necessity of leading a godly life especially in comparison to those who have made money their primary goal in life. Paul warns Timothy to teach what has been passed along to him, because to stray away from that leads down a dangerous path - one that ends with replacing godliness with the pursuit of money. Paul points to those teachers who have sought to enrich themselves and see godliness as a means to great wealth. This is a danger because making riches our goal in life ends up hurting others and ourselves. This danger is tempting, however, because money can buy so much in our lives: pleasure, a sense of security, power, status, and the like. Paul says that godliness is indeed profitable - not in a material sense but rather in a broader sense - when we are satisfied with what we already have, because godly living buys one thing money cannot - contentment and joy. This may seem a bit naive to us. After all, who among us would not like to have a bit more money. It is important to note that Paul does not condemn money in and of itself. Money can be a good thing - it allows us to go to the grocery store, buy medicines, pay bills, keep the lights on, and help others as well. Paul warns us that it is instead the love of money that leads us into danger. It is when we replace our love of God and pursuit of faithfulness with the love and pursuit of money that we stray away and wind up hurting ourselves. From Paul's letter to Timothy, we see that the problem is not with money itself but when we make money our primary goal in life. This begs the question of what our main goal in life is: to be a millionaire? to be famous? to be the best? to have power? to be admired? to be called good? to merely make it through each day? to follow Jesus with all that is in us? As Christians, we know which one it should be, but all the others are so tempting and alluring to dream of. So let's dream: What do we dream our legacy will be when our lives are over? What will be the legacy of our faith? What goal do we need to have for how we will follow Jesus to make that legacy a reality? Dream boldly!

Looking Ahead in Worship
We want to follow Jesus and live the best life we can. We want to make a godly life our goal, but often we fail. Why is it so hard? What do we need to do to thrive? Join us this Sunday as we learn "What We Compete For"!

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Living in Community

Welcome to Will and Laurel who confirmed their faith and joined the church last week!

Congratulations to Trenton and his family on his baptism this past Sunday!

Thank you to everyone who made our Wednesday at the Port a success last week!

Please lift up Rad and his family on the passing of his father.

Thank you to everyone who brought in supplies for the clinic at South River Elementary!

This Week at Port Church

Tuesday, September 20
6:45 pm - Lay Leadership Nominations Meeting

​Wednesday, September 21
10:00 - 12:00 - Office Hours
6:00 pm - Wednesday at the Port

Thursday, September 22
7:00 pm - SPRC Meeting 

​Sunday, September 25
9:30 am - Worship: "Thrive: What We Compete For"
11:00 am - Sunday School

Looking Ahead

Harvest Table in October
The food pantry is in GREAT NEED at this time of year. There will be a Harvest Table in the upstairs vestibule for the whole month of October. Please help us fill the shelves with food for the ERMA Food Pantry. Thank you for your support – PRUMC Food Pantry Volunteers.

​Chili Cookoff and Silent Auction for Youth Missions, October 15
Charge Conference, October 23​
Drive-thru Nativity - December 9 & 10