Plan to attend World Communion Sunday at Norton United Methodist Church October 3, 2010

World Communion Sunday
As United Methodists we experience the bread and cup of the Lord’s Supper as more than mere symbols. In the sacrament of Holy Communion we experience the real presence of the Living Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that Christians need to partake of communion often and with joy.
At Norton United Methodist Church and at our Outreach Service at Mt. View Regional Medical Center, Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month and on special holy days, including Maundy Thursday, All Saints Sunday and Christmas Eve.
We practice an open communion. Everyone is welcome at the Communion table, regardless of their church affiliation or membership status. Christ invites everyone who repents of their sin and places their trust in him. All that is required is a willingness to receive the grace of Christ and an awareness of our need for him. There are no special rules regarding the participation of children in the sacrament (a specific age when children are granted access to the Lord’s table). This decision is left up to the parents. In our faith tradition infants are allowed to experience baptism, so it makes good sense that children are also invited to the Lord’s table as soon as they are able to do so. Children seem to be excited by the experience and receive the bread and cup with joy.
On this coming Sunday, October 3, 2010 we will join with Christians around the world for an observance of World Communion Sunday. Come and taste a portion of the goodness of God’s grace. The pastor’s sermon, “The Six Moods of Holy Communion” will explore some of the historic issues related to communion and how the sacrament can become a blessing in your life.

Upcoming events for the last week of September

Norton United Methodist Church will have a special guest speaker this coming Sunday, September 26 at 11:00 a.m. Ms. Jettie Hess, a poet, author and publisher will be reading several of her inspirational poems. Jettie Hess is a very devoted Christian and has a unique and meaningful ability to capture the messages of the Christian Faith in verse. She will also be speaking at the 10:00 am service at Mt. View Regional Medical Center. There will be a pot luck lunch following the 11:00 am service. Come and bring some friends.

Thursday, September 30, members of the Norton N.A. group, representatives from Celebrate Recovery (which meets at the City Center in Norton) and interested friends and families will hold a "Recovery Walk". The walk begins at the Norton United Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude with a light meal at the church at around 7:30 p.m.

This is also the night for the Norton United Methodist Church annual Charge Conference with our District Superintendent Archer Coppedge. The charge conference begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary and after the meeting everyone is invited to join the Recovery Community for a light supper meal.

The Church is the People

Many people recall the finger rhyme, "This is the church." This fun activity we learned as children presents a profound message -- The Church is the people. I am hoping that several folks will be willing to contribute to this blog by writing a memory of one of your favorite Norton United Methodist "people."


This Is The Church
A fingerplay with interlocking fingers
This is the church,
(children hold hands down with fingers interlocked)
This is the steeple.
(Now put up both index fingers in the shape of a steeple)
Look inside.
(children turn hands over)
And see all the people.
(everybody wiggle fingers)

"Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling..." Romans 12:13

On August 22 we spent a lot of time on the subject of Radical Hospitality. This video is an exceptional parable lesson on the topic. Take a look:




























"Gracious God, give us a heart that remembers the strangers who may be in our path today and help us share your all-encompassing love with them, just as you have shown love to us."

SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, FIFTH SUNDAY SINGING AND FELLOWSHIP DINNER AT THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

The congregation of Norton United Methodist Church will be attending the Fifth Sunday Singing and Fellowship Dinner at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 11:00 am, Sunday, August 29, 2010.

We are looking forward to this great time of singing, worship and fellowship. After the service there will be a fellowship dinner. Our friends from the Church of the Good Shepherd are active partners in our Mt. View Ministry and the pastor refers to them as the church of the "good singers." God is pleased when we fellowship together and enjoy times of worship and friendship with fellow Christians. We hope this will become a regular Fifth Sunday Activity, the folks from the Church of the Good Shepherd will we worshiping with the Norton United Methodist Church on the next Fifth Sunday, October 31st for another Fifth Sunday Singing and Dinner.

REMEMBER YOUR BAPTISM AND BE GLAD

Sunday, August 15, 2010 was a time of great celebration as we observed "Good Shepherd" Sunday and shared in the Baptism of Matthew Rains. This opportunity to participate in God's grace and favor will be remembered for a long time. We all appreciate Matthew for his calm and patient and kind demeanor, but especially for his love of God and others.


As you read the "Blessing of the Water" portion of the Baptismal liturgy, Remember your Baptism and Be Glad.


The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Eternal Father:
When nothing existed but chaos,
you swept across the dark waters
and brought forth light.
In the days of Noah
you saved those on the ark through water.
After the flood you set in the clouds a rainbow.
When you saw your people as slaves in Egypt,
you led them to freedom through the sea.
Their children you brought through the Jordan
to the land which you promised.
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Tell of God’s mercy each day.
In the fullness of time you sent Jesus,
nurtured in the water of a womb.
He was baptized by John and anointed by your Spirit.
He called his disciples
to share in the baptism of his death and resurrection
and to make disciples of all nations.
Declare his works to the nations,
his glory among all the people.
Pour out your Holy Spirit,
to bless this gift of water and those who receive it,
to wash away their sin
and clothe them in righteousness
throughout their lives,
that, dying and being raised with Christ,
they may share in his final victory.
All praise to you, Eternal Father,
through your Son Jesus Christ,
who with you and the Holy Spirit
lives and reigns for ever. Amen.

SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2010 "GREAT DAY OF SINGING AND HYMN FEST" AT NORTON UMC

You will not want to miss the "Great Day of Singing and Hymn Fest" scheduled for Norton United Methodist Church at 11:00 am Sunday, July 18, 2010. The Psalter for the day is Psalm 100 -MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE LORD-

Psalm 100

1Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
2Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.
3Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name.
5For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

There will be hymn singing, special organ and piano selections along with an opportunity to learn the stories behind several of our most beloved hymns.

The music at Norton UMC is always outstanding and uplifting, so make plans to attend.