What you do for Christ matters eternally and is worthy of God’s notice. Not even a cup of cold water offered because of Jesus will escape attention and reward. (Matthew 10:42) Two areas where we might serve God come quickly to my mind. Faith-sharing and missions are dear to the heart of God. In doing these, you and I become the hands and feet of Jesus. We may have trouble defining the line between faith-sharing and missions, because they both involve God and the concern for others.
Faith-sharing is to be as natural to a believer as breathing. Sharing faith is less about what we say and more about what we live and the actions of the God we serve. Intercessory prayer, godly love and encouragement are the tools for sharing-faith that I recommend most frequently.
Missions are about meeting the physical needs of others. “Bread for myself is a material question. Bread for my neighbor is a spiritual one.” So said Nikolai Alexandrovich Berdyaev Russian religious philosopher (1874 – 1948). God cares about what we do for “the least of these.” (Matthew 25:40)
My prayer for Concord is “More, Lord!” I bless all we currently do, but I pray for increased ability and desire to do more in both areas.
As I write these words, I consider the letter I received this morning. It is from the military chaplain we have been sending clothing to in Afghanistan. I thought you might like to read it. I could have as easily printed letters from hungry folks that have been fed because of you, poor children that received Christmas because of you, or orphans that were rescued because of you.Subject: Snug Soldiers
My Dear People,
You are doing a wonderful thing here in Afghanistan. Warm clothing for the wounded soldiers arrives daily and we are keeping up with the need. It's a miracle! This last week we also had an opportunity to share some supplies with a hospital down south that has been hit hard with terrible casualties. We contacted them and they were desperate for warm clothing as well, so we loaded up some boxes of sweats and blankets and sent it out on the chopper. This particular hospital is near the Pakistan border where the fighting is ferocious and is joint British and US forces. We also helped a company of marines that was freezing their buns off at night because they didn't have warm clothes to sleep in. The hospital and marine company were very thankful for your generous donations. It's so wonderful because it seems like when we get an excess of supplies, someone shows up who really needs help, and we still have enough to clothe the wounded... My work with the concussion patients continues to be interesting and rewarding. It is staying a lot busier than we thought it would be. We were expecting the patient load to ease off with the cold, but we haven't seen it yet. This week I have admitted 9 patients to our concussion program that were involved in 2 very sad and dramatic events. They have some severe combat stress issues along with their concussions so it is challenging to care for them. We brought MAJ Timmy (the service dog) to the TBI hut for some doggy love therapy and it seemed to ease the pain quite a bit. I am making muffins and bread to take over this morning and hopefully that will help too. I can't believe the situations that occur here. They are so horrific and random that I don't think someone could even make them up.
I feel safe and very blessed to be where I am. I am one of the lucky ones who doesn't have to suffer too much on a daily basis. The most distress I have is getting out from under my electric blanket in the morning and getting dressed in my freezing B-Hut, because It's probably only 40 degrees. I store water and juice in the corner on the floor, and it's colder than if it was in a refrigerator. I warm up after I get my 5 layers of clothes on though, and I'm thankful I have them. Thanks again for your prayers and support, for you really help us more than you know. Your love heals me, and I appreciate you in my life.
Take Care Loved Ones, Janie
If this letter and the thought of what we can do blesses you, Imagine What God Thinks? And that is the point of the article: What does God think of our actions? And for God’s sake, what more can we do?In Christ Alone, Earl
Berta writes:
Yes. You. Can.
When I came home from rehab five months after my spinal cord injury, I couldn’t hold my head up. I couldn’t speak above a whisper. And I couldn’t stay alone. I spent all my days reclined in my power wheel chair with my eyes closed.
Surgery to fuse my broken neck vertebra nine months later helped and I slowly gained strength in my neck, shoulders and arms. Though I became more able, I didn’t participate in my daily life. I expected Earl to take care of business.
“Berta, I want you to make your own appointments.”
My heart raced, “No.”
“Yes. Start by keeping up with your doctor’s appointments and your prescription medicines.”
Overwhelmed at the thought of exposing myself to people and how they might react to my disability; I refused.
He insisted. I cried. “I can’t.”
He said, “Yes, you can!” I got started.
I created a list of my doctors and their telephone numbers. I set up a file of my medicines, including all the information I needed to order them. I discovered a calendar program on my computer and filled it in.
“Berta, when’s your next doctor’s appointment?”
“I don’t know.” “Check your calendar.”
“Did you order your medicine?” “No. I forgot.”
“Do it now.”
In our seventh year, he approached my Sunday school teacher, “Ask Berta to teach your class one Sunday a month.” I hesitated for a moment before agreeing.
“Berta, would you lead a Bible study for young women?” I did. “…write for the church newsletter…?” I did.
Earl continued to encourage me. Sometimes it was more forceful than I wanted. Today I’m thankful. I would not be who I am if he had not used tough love to bring me back to the living.
While talking to a new friend about his pushing me to do things for myself, Earl overheard me and commented, “I don’t know how she does all that she does today!”
It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes. --Ps 119:71 ESV
A similar reflection on our years immediately after my injury, “Love One Another,” dated January 17, 2012, is on my blog: http://snapshots-bertad.blogspot.com
In Christ Alone, Berta Dickerson
www.bertadickerson.com
OUR CHURCH FAMILY
We welcome Judy Bean to the Concord family. Judy joined the church on January 8th.
Sympathy is expressed to Dede Culp and her family on the death of her father, Wells Heath, Jr.
Sympathy is expressed to Chris Turner and his family on the death of his great nephew, Tyler Kidd.
Sympathy is expressed to Ron Cato and his family on the death of his wife, Mary Cato.
A Special Thanks!
Thank-you so much for the prayers, support, food, gifts and concern expressed to me and my family during the passing of my father. This was a very difficult holiday for all of us. Your thoughts and prayers made it much easier. I am truly blessed to be a member of such a wonderful church family. Love, Ruth West & family
2012 CHURCH DIRECTORY
Picture Proofs for the directory are available online at the church website. Please check your picture and make sure it is like you want it to appear in the directory. If you have not submitted a new picture or need changes made to your current picture please see Earl as soon as possible.
EL SALVADOR FUNDRAISER
What: Yard Sale
When: Saturday, March 10, 2012
Where: Concord UMC
Please share your treasurers!! You may bring items to the church or if you need items picked up contact Kelly Davis (443-9320 or 217-0011 0r davis7kelly@bellsouth.net) or Dena Hancock (210-7365).
MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH ATTEND BELIEVE CONFERENCE
February 17-18 in St. Charles MissouriThe 2012 Believe Conference is designed to point kids to the awesome power of God’s word. Many questions remain in the hearts of our kids: how do we know this IS God’s word; how did we get an English version of the Bible and how do we know it’s a correct translation? Did the people and places recorded in the Bible ever really exist? The Believe team will take kids on an epic journey discovering the very places where Moses heard from God or where Jesus taught the five thousand. Ultimately, kids will be challenged to respond to the Word of God and begin hiding it in their hearts. Be in prayer for our youth as they attend this event.
AARP TAX-AIDE
Free Tax Help!
Tuesdays, February 7th - March 28th
4 - 7 p.m.
For tax payers with low- moderate income with
special attention to those 60 and older.
Appointments are required.
Call 443-2669 to make an appointment.
FUTURES COMMITTEE UPDATE
The Trustees, the Building Committee and the architect continue to make progress on finalizing the Sanctuary Renovation Project.
The following Vital Congregations goals were presented by the Futures Committee and approved by the Administrative Council as goals for our church. These goals cover the 2012-2015 time-period and will be reviewed and revised annually.Average Worship Attendance
2012- 222 2013- 228 2014- 234 2015- 240
Adult Professions of Faith
2012- 6 2013- 7 2014- 7 2015- 8
Number of Small Groups
2012- 27 2013- 30 2014- 32 2015- 35
Members in Mission
2012- 31 2013- 32 2014- 33 2015- 34
Dollars Given to Mission
2012- $65,000 2013- $67,000 2014- $69,000 2015- $70,000
MEMORIALS
A Gift Was Given to the Building Fund
In Memory of Shep Shepherd By
Margarette Abanatha
Martha McKinney
J.H. & Barbara Gross
Mrs. William Penix
Doug & Barbara Warren
Mona Klusmeier
Wesley Sunday School ClassIn Memory of Wells Heath, Jr. By
Jeff & Sharon Douthitt
Larry Edwards
TELLING YOUR FAITH STORY
Igniting a Passion for Evangelism
Saturday, February 18 8:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
First United Methodist Church in Union City, TN
Cost $15 for Book and LunchThis workshop will focus on important aspects of sharing your faith. Topics will include: building basic spiritual conversation skills, faith sharing, Bible storying, structuring the church for evangelism and building blocks for creating an evangelistic church culture.
Lone Oak United Methodist Church will be taking their bus to this workshop and have extended an invitation for others to ride with them. Anyone interested in riding on the Lone Oak bus should call them at 554-1272. Reservation deadline for the workshop is February 13th. To register send registration fee, name, address, phone number and e-mail address to Memphis Conference, 24 Corporate Blvd., Jackson TN 38301 or you can register online at www.memphis-umc.org.
We Are Called to Action
The Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church has challenged all United Methodists to the Call to Action to:
___Grow vital congregations that will make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world;
___Demonstrate courageous turnaround leadership that leads the church toward deep Holy Spirit change;
___Take risks; experiment in ministry as we go to the margins of society to minister with the poor, immigrants, prisoners, and the homeless, as well as with the non-religious and nominally religious people in our communities;
___Unite as one; develop deeper trust so that together we face our adaptive spiritual challenges;
___Set visionary goals and support one another as we eagerly experiment, innovate, embrace change, and regularly account for our ministries.
With these action goals in mind, we will be tracking mission activities of our congregation. If you have completed a mission activity for any week in the coming year, please note that activity on the registration pad when you register your attendance in church on Sunday morning. Hopefully, this will accomplish two things: 1) let the office know of your mission activity, and 2) encourage others to be in mission in the world.
Thank you for participating in this vital activity.*********************************************************
Reaching Out - Living In Christ
Concord United Methodist Church Vision Statement