Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
God Bless You All!!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
7:30 p.m. at Huntsville United Methodist Church
Communion will be served.
All are welcome!!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Christmas Wishes
This Christmas may you see and know anew how great His love is toward you!
And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.
MATTHEW 1:21 KJV
Sunday, December 14, 2008
"Carol at the Window" Children's Christmas Program
More pictures can be viewed on the slideshow at right.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thinking is Thanking
There's a German saying attributed to Martin Heidegger: denken ist danken. In English that translates to "thinking is thanking." We won't go into Heidegger's existential philosophy (aren't you glad?) but when it comes to this "thinking is thanking" thing, he's on to something.
Even when times are hard, there is so much to be thankful for. If you think about it long enough, you'll be able to come up with something...even if it's just that things could be worse. The key is actually thinking about it. It's a choice; one you'll have to make for yourself even if everyone around you chooses to be negative. Wondering if the choice to be thankful is the right one? God thinks so. As 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "Give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus."
Look for things to be thankful for (rather than things to complain about) and you'll feel better, look better (fewer frowny-face wrinkles!), and be a lot more fun to be around. Having trouble getting started? Here's a freebie: God knows everything about you and loves you anyway. Isn't that reason enough to be thankful?
Think about it.
Taken from the November 2008 Women of Faith Faith to Faith Newsletter.
Even when times are hard, there is so much to be thankful for. If you think about it long enough, you'll be able to come up with something...even if it's just that things could be worse. The key is actually thinking about it. It's a choice; one you'll have to make for yourself even if everyone around you chooses to be negative. Wondering if the choice to be thankful is the right one? God thinks so. As 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "Give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus."
Look for things to be thankful for (rather than things to complain about) and you'll feel better, look better (fewer frowny-face wrinkles!), and be a lot more fun to be around. Having trouble getting started? Here's a freebie: God knows everything about you and loves you anyway. Isn't that reason enough to be thankful?
Think about it.
Taken from the November 2008 Women of Faith Faith to Faith Newsletter.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Halloween Party
Mattie makes a good Coach Berry!!
Vallie's first Halloween.
Valerie, you've got to tell us where you get your hair and make up done!Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
United Methodist Election Guide
The following link is a comparison of Political Party Platforms and The United Methodist Church. This guide is intended as a discernment tool for you, your church and your community to evaluate potential leaders and political agendas of the two major parties as they relate to the Social Principles and Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church.
Prepared by the General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Charge Conference Preparation Meeting
The Charge Conference preparation meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, September 30th at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to get lined out on our conference paperwork, and to set our ministry goals for next year, in preparation for our Charge Conference (Tuesday, November 18th, 6 p.m. at Huntsville UMC). The theme for this year's Charge Conference is "Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations". These practices are: Radical Hospitality, Passionate Worship, Intentional Faith Development, Risk-Taking Mission and Service, and Extravagant Generosity. For more information on these areas of ministry, you can go to www.fivepractices.org.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Sock Monkey Ministries
This sounded like a great ministry. They provide hand-made sock monkeys to cancer patients and others suffering serious illnesses, children in orphanages, hospitals and shelters, and our Military Troops. Check them out on the following links:
http://www.sockmonkeyministry.com/
http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=1723949&ct=5865859&undefined
Open Letter from Arkansas UMC Bishop Charles Crutchfield on Gambling in Arkansas
An Occasional Word
Published: 8/1/2008
Dear Friends:
I was asked the other day, “Why is your church so opposed to the lottery?”
The United Methodist Church opposes gambling in all its forms because we believe that it violates the spirit and the imperative contained in Jesus’ words: “… you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:29-30). Gambling violates this commandment.
Because gambling is based on human greed, it replaces God with an avaricious desire to get rich quick. Wealth becomes more important than God. In that sense, it violates the first of the Ten Commandments as well. It also violates the gift of the mind which God has given. If you do the math, most of the money spent on so-called “educational” lotteries goes not to education but to prizes and administration and profits for some company. It makes no financial sense.
Gambling also preys on the neighbor, even if you don’t place a bet or buy a ticket yourself. When I lived in El Paso, Texas, the Texas Lottery was begun. In the first week of the lottery, the poorest precinct in El Paso was the highest per capita participant in the state of Texas. There is no impulse to “love your neighbor as yourself” when you encourage or allow systems of regressive taxation and practices that are demeaning and destructive to the fabric of life and to the fabric of the community. The lottery is a cruel joke that masquerades as a civic necessity and a public service, all the while preying on those least able to tolerate the loss of money that must inevitably come from gambling. Gambling is morally and ethically bankrupt.
I will not be buying a lottery ticket. A very small percentage of the money goes to scholarships after the prizes are given and the administration of the lottery is funded and the profit of those running the lottery assured. Because I do believe in the importance of education, I will continue to make a yearly donation to Hendrix College and my other alma maters. I will be giving to Hendrix or one of “my” schools where allmy money will support the student, and not support greed.
Frankly, in a day when in the political sphere we talk much of family values, I cannot understand how government can even begin to sponsor or tolerate practices or programs that feed on human weakness. I cannot understand how government and responsible civic leaders would want to encourage a “something for nothing” philosophy — particularly in a country where we affirm and value work.
My prayer is that each one of you will act to defeat the allowance of a practice that is demeaning, regressive, antithetical to our faith, irresponsible in good government, and damaging to the human spirit and the human community.
Faithfully,
Charles N. Crutchfield
United Methodists Against Gambling web site: www.votenoarkansaslottery.com
http://www.arumc.org/page.asp?PKValue=1155
Published: 8/1/2008
Dear Friends:
I was asked the other day, “Why is your church so opposed to the lottery?”
The United Methodist Church opposes gambling in all its forms because we believe that it violates the spirit and the imperative contained in Jesus’ words: “… you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:29-30). Gambling violates this commandment.
Because gambling is based on human greed, it replaces God with an avaricious desire to get rich quick. Wealth becomes more important than God. In that sense, it violates the first of the Ten Commandments as well. It also violates the gift of the mind which God has given. If you do the math, most of the money spent on so-called “educational” lotteries goes not to education but to prizes and administration and profits for some company. It makes no financial sense.
Gambling also preys on the neighbor, even if you don’t place a bet or buy a ticket yourself. When I lived in El Paso, Texas, the Texas Lottery was begun. In the first week of the lottery, the poorest precinct in El Paso was the highest per capita participant in the state of Texas. There is no impulse to “love your neighbor as yourself” when you encourage or allow systems of regressive taxation and practices that are demeaning and destructive to the fabric of life and to the fabric of the community. The lottery is a cruel joke that masquerades as a civic necessity and a public service, all the while preying on those least able to tolerate the loss of money that must inevitably come from gambling. Gambling is morally and ethically bankrupt.
I will not be buying a lottery ticket. A very small percentage of the money goes to scholarships after the prizes are given and the administration of the lottery is funded and the profit of those running the lottery assured. Because I do believe in the importance of education, I will continue to make a yearly donation to Hendrix College and my other alma maters. I will be giving to Hendrix or one of “my” schools where allmy money will support the student, and not support greed.
Frankly, in a day when in the political sphere we talk much of family values, I cannot understand how government can even begin to sponsor or tolerate practices or programs that feed on human weakness. I cannot understand how government and responsible civic leaders would want to encourage a “something for nothing” philosophy — particularly in a country where we affirm and value work.
My prayer is that each one of you will act to defeat the allowance of a practice that is demeaning, regressive, antithetical to our faith, irresponsible in good government, and damaging to the human spirit and the human community.
Faithfully,
Charles N. Crutchfield
United Methodists Against Gambling web site: www.votenoarkansaslottery.com
http://www.arumc.org/page.asp?PKValue=1155
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Women's Fellowship Tonight
Ladies...the Presley Chapel Women's Fellowship is back after a break for summer. The meeting will be tonight at 6:00/6:30 p.m. All women of the church are invited to attend!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Sunday Bulletin
Presley Chapel United Methodist Church
August 31, 2008
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
5th Sunday Singing
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21
Ephesians 3
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.
20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.
For more reflections: www.mondaymorningpreacher.blogspot.com
Schedule of Events
Sunday, August 31st
*Worship & Praise 9:45 a.m.
*Sunday School 10:45 a.m.
*Choir Practice 5:30 p.m.
*NO Bible Study
Monday, September 1st - Labor Day
*NO Coffee House
*NO Women's Fellowship
Today is our 5th Sunday Singing with Potluck Lunch at 12:30 p.m.
Due to Labor Day falling on the first Monday of September, the Presley Chapel Women's Fellowship will meet on Monday, September 8th at 6:00 p.m. All women of the church are invited to attend.
Happy Birthday to Flo Jones on September 2nd and Remington Cozad on September 3rd.
Attendance last Sunday was 73.
General Offering was $1,256.00.
Parsonage Fund offering was $150.00.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
What's your answer?
"I like our church because ____________".
How would you fill in the blank? Send in your answers and I'll post them in a week or so. You don't even have to include your name, if you don't want to.
How would you fill in the blank? Send in your answers and I'll post them in a week or so. You don't even have to include your name, if you don't want to.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Dare to...
Ask for what you want.
Believe in yourself.
Change your mind.
Do what you love.
Enjoy each and every day.
Follow your heart's desire.
Give more than you receive.
Have a sense of humor.
Insist on being yourself.
Join in more.
Kiss and make up.
Love and be loved.
Make new friends.
Nurture your spirit.
Overcome adversity.
Play more.
Question conformity.
Reach for the stars.
Speak your truth.
Take personal responsibilty.
Understand more, judge less.
Volunteer your time.
Walk through fear.
Xperience the moment.
Yearn for grace.
be Zany.
Meiji Stewart
Believe in yourself.
Change your mind.
Do what you love.
Enjoy each and every day.
Follow your heart's desire.
Give more than you receive.
Have a sense of humor.
Insist on being yourself.
Join in more.
Kiss and make up.
Love and be loved.
Make new friends.
Nurture your spirit.
Overcome adversity.
Play more.
Question conformity.
Reach for the stars.
Speak your truth.
Take personal responsibilty.
Understand more, judge less.
Volunteer your time.
Walk through fear.
Xperience the moment.
Yearn for grace.
be Zany.
Meiji Stewart
Monday, August 18, 2008
Forbidden Fruit
Whenever your kids are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend to God's kids.
After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve.
And the first thing He said to them was: "Don't."
"Don't what?" Adam replied.
"Don't eat the forbidden fruit," God said.
"Forbidden fruit? We got forbidden fruit? Hey Eve...we got Forbidden Fruit!"
"No way!"
"Yes WAY!"
"Don't eat that fruit!" said God.
"Why?"
"Because I'm your Father and I said so!" said God, wondering why he hadn't stopped after making the elephants.
A few minutes later, God saw the kids having an apple break and was angry.
"Didn't I tell you not to eat that fruit?" the First Parent asked.
"Uh huh," Adam replied.
"Then why did you?"
"I dunno," Eve answered.
"She started it!" Adam said.
"Did Not!"
"DID so!'
"DID NOT!"
Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own.
Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed.
After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve.
And the first thing He said to them was: "Don't."
"Don't what?" Adam replied.
"Don't eat the forbidden fruit," God said.
"Forbidden fruit? We got forbidden fruit? Hey Eve...we got Forbidden Fruit!"
"No way!"
"Yes WAY!"
"Don't eat that fruit!" said God.
"Why?"
"Because I'm your Father and I said so!" said God, wondering why he hadn't stopped after making the elephants.
A few minutes later, God saw the kids having an apple break and was angry.
"Didn't I tell you not to eat that fruit?" the First Parent asked.
"Uh huh," Adam replied.
"Then why did you?"
"I dunno," Eve answered.
"She started it!" Adam said.
"Did Not!"
"DID so!'
"DID NOT!"
Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own.
Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Poetry in Nature
There is poetry in nature,
sweet music on the breeze,
each flower's a sonata played
in tune with honeybees.
In quiet contemplation,
I can hear the song take flight,
sung in perfect harmony,
so lyrical and light.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
WELCOME!
Welcome to the new Presley Chapel United Methodist Church blog! We are a work in progress right now, so bear with us as we grow! Check back often to see what has been added and posted. Feel free to leave your comments about what you like (or don't like), things you would like to see included, and things you would like to share (announcements, thank you notes, prayer requests, etc.).
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