Traditional Worship - November 25, 2012

Worship Service - November 18, 2012

Traditional Worship - November 11, 2012

Traditional Worship - November 4, 2012

Traditional Worship - October 28, 2012

Traditional Worship - October 21, 2012

Traditional Worship - October 14, 2012

Traditional Worship - October 7, 2012

Combined Worship - September 30, 2012

Traditional Worship - September 23, 2012

Traditional Worship - September 16, 2012

Traditional Worship - September 9, 2012

Traditional Worship - September 2, 2012

Traditional Worship - September 26, 2012

Traditional Worship - August 19, 2012

Traditional Worship - August 12, 2012

Traditional Service - August 5, 2012

Combined Worship - July 29, 2012

Traditional Worship - July 22, 2012

Traditional Worship - July 15, 2012

Traditional Worship - July 8, 2012

Traditional Worship - July 1, 2012

Traditional Worship - June 17, 2012

Traditional Worship - June 24, 2012

Traditional Service - June 10, 2012

Traditional Worship - June 3, 2012

Traditional Worship - May 27, 2012

Traditional Worship - May 20, 2012

Traditional Worship - May 13, 2012

Traditional Worship - May 6, 2012

To Love Our God

Q&A “Teach Your Children Well”- April 22, 2012

In the 9:00 a.m. First Awakening Service on Confirmation Sunday, at the conclusion of the sermon, “Teach Your Children Well,” Pastor Dan asked two questions of the congregation.  Everyone was invited to write their answers on a small card. Responses were:

QUESTION 1: For Young persons and Parents

How can your Church “come alongside” you in the next few months and years to help you

learn/teach more of the stories of the Christian faith?

·         As all young parents want, I wish there was an “Instruction Manual” that came along with the birth of each of my children.  I try to use the Word as my guide, but I need more…more parenting classes, more mentoring. I do praise the Lord for my Church and what it already does for our families.

·         On Wednesday nights, before we dismiss to small groups, I think it would be helpful to have a story read to us that can relate to, think about and discuss in small groups.

·         I would like to see more “outward looking” opportunities for children and parents that take place when working parents can participate.  Revival of ministries such as Hatton Street program, New Southern ministries, etc. that can help my children walk as Christians, not just talk as Christians.

·         We need to teach our children how to walk with Jesus on a daily basis; for parents, to understand how not to wound their kids, leaving scars that last a lifetime; show kids that we were created to be in relationship with Him!

·         Use outside class experiences in low income areas where life as they know is completely different from ours.

·         Read the Bible together, have regular devotions , discuss worship together as a family and make time for prayer every day.  (Several similar responses)

·         Relatively small, personal classes with the pastors on specific and meaningful stories in the Bible.

·         Encourage “hands on” ministry, age appropriate with various local Christian organizations that serve those in need.

·         “Thank you Dan for constantly reminding us and requiring us to act!!

·         Parents need to spend time with their children in scripture and prayer, modeling for them their faith.  The Church can provide support through teaching scripture to the children, developing a partnership with the parents, including suggestions for ways parents can foster the teaching.

·         Sunday School is awesome with awesome volunteers.  I would like to see some consistency and structure, for example, like learning Bible verses, bringing Bibles, and setting goals at certain ages for learning the books of the Bible.

·         Adult class, maybe during WEF ( Wednesday Evening Fellowship) to teach Bible for Beginners.

·         The use of drama which has an awesome effect on a visual learner.

·         Form a singles ministry, a reconciling ministry and a diversity ministry.

·         Make Sunday School a place that builds relationships with mature Christians and is relevant to their age. ( fun, creative, significant)

·         Best way to teach our children is to model being a Disciple for them. The Church can provide training and tools to help parents have family devotion time, encouraging their children to pray, read their Bible on their own, and help them to make Jesus their #1 priority.

·         The Youth of the Church do not respond to Bible stories…they look for more personal experiences and engagement for worship.  They like discussing issues that are relevant to them and knowing God in their own way.

·         Help parents, possibly through parenting classes, establish schedules that always include prayer, learning good communication skills, learning the importance of knowing what the child is doing, friends they have, etc.

·         Make sure each child has a book of Bible stories at home.  Encourage parents to read those stories to their children or

·         Develop activities that both parents and children can engage in as families.

·         Bible studies designed for youth.  Mentoring of youth by “Young Adults” from within the congregation.

·         Continue to offer Christian parenting classes led by persons who have “been there, done that.”  Allow our children to become active participants in First Awakening by singing, reading scripture and taking offering.

·         Have persons who do not necessarily have small children help with children’s programming, VBS, Summer Sunday School, etc.

·         For youth, have a different speaker each week to tell their story such as a young adult, an older person, doctor, lawyer, Indian Chief…anyone!  Just short story of life or lesson learned.

·         We are new to FUMC but love the youth small groups and girls only sessions.  Seems really helpful.  I would love to be a part of a middle aged women’s Sunday School class for married/singles 

·         It is significant to relate the stories of faith found in God’s Word to our children as well as stories of faith in our family and community.

·         Have some extra time to think about God as family because we sometimes get caught up in other things like sports and forget about how thankful we are to even have the money to do sports.

·         To simply Ask or start by Asking the Question.  David’s sermon on “Doubt” was spot on!  This will encourage children and adults to focus on the sermon.

·         Offer a parenting or marriage class every season of WEF.  This will build stronger families.  Have a Wednesday Evening Fellowship class led by parents at different stages of life so experiences can be shared. (several similar responses)

·         Have a Bible lesson in every age group including the nursery.  Even 2-3 year olds can learn about the Bible and the stories of Jesus.

·         Weekly e-mail to parents about the “Sunday School theme” for the week so discussion can be fostered at home.

·         Turn the Sunday School into “Sunday College for Adults” where the ‘students’ are fed meat not pablum.  Restructure Sunday School into truly an educational experience.

·         Continue as is…all appears to be moving in a positive direction.  We have growth in numbers, a good size confirmation class (with lots of boys!) and an excited, active congregation.  Continue to tie sermons to what is taught in Sunday School.

QUESTION 2: For those who have already raised children:

What tip or piece of advice would you offer for helping parents insure that the story of faith is passed on and children grow up to model love of God and love of neighbor?

• Read Bible with your kids. Have devotionals, praying with and for them.  Get involved in your community. 
• Volunteer with your kids so that they learn to think about others.
• Be a good example.  Kids learn from your actions maybe more than your words.  Take them to a nursing home.  Make time for them.
• Make God, family and church priorities in your life.  This will help your children take on a good value system to live by.
• Taking time around the dinner table to learn to talk to each other.  Spend Sunday afternoons as family time. Talk about the lessons from church, Sunday School and the week.  Play games together, laugh!  As parents show love for their children, they’ll reflect God’s love and help their children, in turn, love others!   These are things that helped me and for which I am eternally grateful!  ( several similar responses)
• Offer solid curriculum that involves fun with the teaching.  Involve other adults in teaching so parents can have adult/peer time.
• Along with the history of the Bible we should be teaching the early history of how the country was founded and why.
• Have them involved in church activities…Sunday School, choir, Youth MYF.  Parents then become a part of their activities.  Don’t let “other things” get in the way of the church.
• As a parent, your time with your children is very short.  Days turn into years and soon they are off on their own.  Conversation is the ultimate!  TALK with your children. LISTEN to them. Be THERE for them.  GET INVOLVED!
• Eat your family meals together!!  Eat your family meals together!!
• Realize your behavior is being mimicked and learned; so act Christian, even if you don’t feel like it!
• Regular attendance at Sunday School.  Showing up helps.
• Teach your children to always make decisions based on what is right- even if it’s hard to do.  Going to church, growing and being active in the church provides that foundation to know what is right.
• Make sure your children participate in all youth activities especially in the teen years.  Encourage them to go on mission trips and activities that help others.  It is so important to teach them to give their time to others.  Get involved in the community. (Several similar responses)
• Provide a time for children to teach the rest of the family what they learned during the Sunday School class.
• Take a child with you to visit/help older relatives or neighbors.
• Consider an intensive Bible study such as Awana that requires a commitment from parent and child.  My 8 year old granddaughter has had 3 years of Awana and has an awesome knowledge of the Bible.   Teachers like Valerie Johnstone ignite their passions for the Bible!
• Maintain your family unit; husband, wife, children at home and in participation in the church.
• Make the stories part of your everyday conversation.  The Church could provide devotional materials for families specifically for certain age groups.  

Traditional Worship - April 22, 2012

Traditional Worship - April 15, 2012

Easter Sunday Traditional Worship - April 8, 2012

Traditional Worship - April 1, 2012

Traditional Worship - March 25, 2012

Traditional Worship - March 18, 2012

Traditional Worship - March 11, 2012

Traditional Worship - March 4, 2012

Traditional Worship - February 26, 2012

Traditional Worship - February 19, 2012

Traditional Worship - February 12, 2012

Traditional Worship - February 5, 2012

Combined Worship - January 29, 2012

2012 Giving

Traditional Worship - January 22, 2012

Traditional Worship - January 15, 2012

Traditional Worship - January 8, 2012

Traditional Worship - January 1, 2012