November 2008

These last few weeks, in the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Service, various members have told a portion of God’s calling for Concord, under the title "Sharing the Vision." It started with five members who went to the Leadership Institute at the Church of the Resurrection. This group had come out the of those persons gathered to study of the book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. They came back from the Institute so excited about what God is doing, they just had to share.

Their speaking of what God is doing and how Concord could join in excited others from the study and they too had to share. Other groups in the church have gathered to study the book and still more plan to. The sharing of God’s calling for Concord may continue. Which leads to my question: What is God up to?

The short answer is, "I don’t know. But it’s exciting." I’ve seen more action, activities and plans in the past few weeks than I had in the past few years.

In my quiet time, I have asked this same question, then listened. From a still, small voice, I’ve heard this description of the recent events at Concord: "God Calls. We Respond. We are the body of Christ."

If the recent and future activities and studies have fallen inside this framework of God’s calling and our response, it is good. If not, not. It doesn’t require great faith, high education or esteemed social stature to participate, just a willingness to hear from God and to act upon what is learned.

The danger, of course, is to raise one’s own voice and claim it’s a word from the Lord. Or see what someone else is doing and say, maybe we could do it too. Activity, for the sake of action, is not what we need. We don’t need our own desires or ideas. We need inspiration. And true inspiration comes only from God. And we always have Scripture to rely upon to keep us on the straight and narrow.

In Christ Alone, Brother Earl

---

Berta Writes: Just this morning I read a story in the current Focus On The Family about an old towel. This towel was used to carry a hot casserole to a church dinner. At the same time, the church was collecting items to help women who had successfully completed detoxification from drugs and/or alcohol. The towel, which was old and stained, was accidently gathered up for the women. As one woman found it, she called out to another, "Susan, look here's a towel for you!" Susan was overjoyed about that tattered and stained towel. She had not been able to shower that morning because she didn't have a towel. Now, the woman who had brought that towel thought about her linen closet, kitchen cabinets and clothes closets. She had an abundance where they needed it all. She went home and cleaned out those unused and unneeded items and carried them to this mission. Today, as she shops and sees a bargain she purchases it for that mission.

What does Jesus say about this? First, in Luke 12:15, The Parable of the Rich Fool, Jesus says "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." Then, He spoke to the rich, young ruler, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." Matthew 10:21

Whether it be clothing, linens, dishes or food, there is great need in this season of changing weather, economics and spirituality. Please give generously where God would lead you. God bless

In Christ Alone, Berta.

---

THE CHURCH FAMILY

SYMPATHY IS EXPRESSED TO:

The Family of Howard Jones. Howard passed away, September 28, after a long illness. He had been a member of the church since April 26, 1964, and had been very active until he became ill.

THANK YOU NOTE

Thank you all for your kind expressions of sympathy, and all of the prayers, cards and contributions. Thank you for the flowers and gift of the Bible. Thank you, Brother Earl for your visits and prayers.

—Reiko Jones and Family

THANK YOU NOTES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND POSTED ON THE BULLETIN BOARD FROM:

Celesta Wilson, Jim & Rubye Feezor, Helen Humphreys and Regina Vannerson.

WELCOME NEW MEMBER:

We would like to take this opportunity to officially welcome Angela Harris to the Church Family. Angela has been an active part of the church music program and other activities for the past several months. She united with Concord on October 12. Her address is 145 Christin Cove, Paducah KY 42001.

The September Communion Offering for the Reelfoot Toy Store Ministry was $179.00.

The Building Fund Offerings for September totaled $3,343.00. The current monthly Building Fund payment is $5,189.36.

 

The last few years the poinsettias used to decorate the sanctuary during Advent have not been of good quality. Because of this the Worship Committee has given me permission to use silk flowers this year. Poinsettias may be taken home after the Choir Cantata. The cost will be $13 per flower. Make checks payable to Concord UMC and turn them in as soon as possible. Donna Hudson

---

MISSIONS - OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

UMCOR - HURRICANE IKE RELIEF

Donations for hurricane relief along the Gulf Coast this year are falling far behind the level of need. This is true for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) as well as for other relief agencies including the Red Cross. Donations have been especially short in response to Hurricane Ike, which struck east Texas, including the Houston and Galveston areas on September 13, creating the worst disaster on record for the congregations in the Texas Conference.

We can surely relate to this need considering our own brief experience with the remnant of Ike that struck our own area on the morning of September 24.

Please consider making a donation to UMCOR for hurricane relief for Texas churches and families. Gifts may be make through our church treasurer. The account is UMCOR Advance #3019695, Hurricanes 2008, Hurricane Ike. Up to 10 percent of gifts may be used to support church reconstruction.

SOS - SHARE OUR SURPLUS

Items needed this month are: family desperately needs freezer, washer & dryer, any size beds, kitchen table & chairs, living room furniture, microwave, TV, any household items. Call 442-3725 to make a donation.

NOVEMBER HAPPENINGS!

November 4 - Pizza Inn Fundraiser, 4:00 p.m.-8 p.m.

November 8 - 4^th & 5^th Grade Movie Trip: Madagascar 3: Escape to Africa. (Time TBA)

November 8 - Youth Mission Camp

November 10 - Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m. New members should attend

November 11 - Veterans Day

November 12 -Wednesday Night Fellowship Supper for Reelfoot sponsored by Concord Middle School

November 16 - UMW General Meeting and Lunch

November 22 - Amy Bustle/Robert Beyer Wedding

November 23 - PCM Community Thanksgiving Service, 6:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church at 7^th and Jefferson, Earl will be preaching

November 27-28 - Office closed for Thanksgiving

November 30 - Choir potluck at Ron and Sandra Miller’s, 5:00 p.m.

Fall Youth Events Underway

A service project in November will require students to faith in action. Also, a mentoring program (You will be hearing more about this soon!) Will involve adult members in the congregation and will connect students and their church family more personally. The Youth Ministry team is Patti Fletcher, Sharon Douthitt, Tommy Fletcher, Wade Poat, Jennifer Snook, Rick Dickey and Dale Julian as Director of Youth Ministries.

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS - NOVEMBER 4

This will be a Youth Pizza Fund-raiser at Pizza Inn. Our youth will be bussing tables from 4-8 pm with tips, and a percentage of the buffet sales going to the group. This is a great opportunity for all of us to support our youth group and to "Eat All You Want" Pizza.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

~ Why is the third hand on the watch called the second hand?

~ If a word is misspelled in the dictionary, how would we ever know?

~ If Webster wrote the first dictionary, where did he find the words?

~ Why do we say something is out of whack? What is a whack?

~ Why do "slow down" and "slow up" mean the same thing?

~ Why do "fat chance" and "slim chance" mean the same thing?

~ Why do "tug" boats push their barges?

~ Why do we sing, "Take me out to the ball game," when we are already there?

~ Why are they called "stands" when they are made for sitting?

~ Why is it called "after dark" when it really is "after light"?

~ Doesn't "expecting the unexpected" make the unexpected expected?