January 22, 2012

Forgiveness Written in Stone ~ Matthew 18:21-35 ~

A story is told of two friends who were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand, "Today my best friend slapped me in the face."

They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him. After he recovered from nearly drowning, he wrote on a stone, "Today my best friend saved my life."

His friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand, and now, you write on a stone, why?" The other friend replied "When someone hurts us, we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."

So real forgiveness keeps on leaving the sins of others and our hurts in the past. Yet Jesus understands the difficulty of such forgiveness. To keep on forgiving is a God-like characteristic. It is contrary to human nature. So He gives a parable beginning in v.23 which will help us obey His commandment to keep on forgiving.

‘Til next time,

PREPARING FOR SUNDAY MORNING

SUNDAY WORSHIP at 8:30, 9:40, and 10:50

The Rev. Jerry Meredith

LITURGICAL READINGS FOR January 22, 2012

1 Samuel 3:1-10
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
John 1:43-51

WEDNESDAY FELLOWSHIP MEAL RESERVATION DEADLINE

Please note the reservation deadline for our Fellowship Meal on Wednesday evenings has changed. The caterer needs a “head count” by Monday at 12:00 noon. Therefore, we will need your reservation(s) on….Monday mornings by 11:00. Thank you!

Thank You

… to the wonderful people of St. James for your generosity to The Light! We are blessed daily by your prayers, support, service, and love for this ministry. Our hearts are overwhelmed with thanksgiving for all you have done for us. Blessings upon blessings, Pastor Lloyd Craft

LEADERSHIP TRAINING ATHENS-ELBERTON DISTRICT

Sunday January 22, 3:00-5:30 p.m. @ Young Harris UMC

Chase Street Mentors Needed — Trainings Scheduled

January 2012 is National Mentoring Month
Theme: Invest in the Future—Mentor a Child
Mentors are truly blessed by spending one hour a week with a child who needs another adult in his/her life. Mentor Training sessions for Clarke County Schools will be held the evenings of Thursday, February 16th and Tuesday, March 20th. For information about mentoring at Chase Street Elementary, contact Marlene Bryan at 706-548-1016 or marlenebryan@yahoo.com.

Requests For Prayer

Andrew Morgan, Eleanor Grimes, Louise Gibson, Sandy Martin, Anne Kenan, Gail Perno, Margaret Legato, Sheila Bridges, Barb Wyatt, Garrett Family, Marty Brobst, Sherry Jones, Ben Gegen, George Simpson, Meredith Shy, Terry Gautreaux’s father, Bill Burgin, Helen Price, Quinn Daly, Tim Crowe, Claire Lowery, Jan Snyder, Ray Preston, Torry Madurski, Darlene Wright, Jean Fleet, Richard Andersen, Vonnie Johnston, Dennis Struemph, Jena Cabaniss, Rick Baker, Diann Floyd, Katherine Wolf, Sally Stowers

SERVING IN THE MILITARY

1st Lt. Charles "Chip" Knox, Capt. Nathaniel Chittick, Maj. Chris Himmelsbach, 1st Lt. Harding Brumby, Chris Walker, Matt Cole,2nd Lt. Courtney Strack, Cody Maxwell, Zach Cole, 2nd Lt. William Mahoney, Corp. Shay Jennings,Capt. Brett Thomas, Kyle Crume

Wednesday Nights at St. James! January 25, 2012

LEARNING TOGETHER, GROWING TOGETHER IN CHRIST

• 5:15 PM Fellowship Meal
  Cost: Adult $5.00/Child $2.50
  Menu: Roast Beef, Garden Salad, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Biscuit, Chocolate Delight
  Please call the Church Office at 706-548-1680 for reservations by Monday, January 23 at 11:00 am.
• 6:00 pm Wednesday Opportunities
  • Women’s Study - Room 219 - “Mentoring and Shepherding Leadership Training” (led by Jessica Beaver)
  • Men’s Devotion - Room 220
  • School of Healing Prayer, Level 1—Room 107 (led by Bailey Mitchell and/or Jane Kilgo)
  • Adult Bible Study - Fellowship Hall - “Questions and Answers from the Bible” 
  • Youth Remix —The Jimmy
  • Children’s and Nursery Activities Resume

Join us on Wednesday, January 25th as we learn and grow together!

College

WELCOME BACK COLLEGE STUDENTS!

Tip of the Week: Hey College Students! There's nothing like the thrill of the hunt. Whether we're on a scavenger hunt or just out exploring town, we're all built to search. If you're searching, we're glad you’re at St. James. You should check out our College Bible Study, which meets in the College Cabin (room 111) every Sunday at 9:40 am. You don't even have to know what you're looking for. But just in case you need a free fun hunt, check out  http://www.visitathensga.com/things-to-do/geocaching/. We're glad you're here, and good luck with your search!

St. James Church Retreat March 2-4, 2012 Callaway Gardens Pine Mountain, Georgia

Join us for our Annual Church Retreat at beautiful Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. We are excited to have Mike Selleck, Director of Connectional Ministries—North GA Conf, as our speaker. It will be a great weekend packed full of activities for all ages! Bring your children! Bring your friends! If you are not a member of St. James...no problem...you are invited!

Where are the registration forms? Just pick up a registration form in the Church Office or download them from our site here. Don’t miss it — This will be the best retreat yet!

For more information, contact Pat Bennett at 706-207-6699 or prbennett113@charter.net. Retreat registration deadline: February 26th

Annual Giving Statements

Annual Giving Statements will be mailed from the Church Office on Jan 27th. If you do not receive your statement by Feb 3rd, please contact Kathy in the Church Office at 706-548-1680.

FLOWER CALENDAR 2012

If you would like to place flowers in the Sanctuary for our Sunday morning services, please sign up on the new Flower Calendar on the hallway bulletin board outside the Fellowship Hall. Cost is $75.00. Questions? Call the Church Office at 706-548-1680.

Miss a Sunday?

Pastor Jerry's teachings are available online and for downloading on our Teachings page here.

The Worship of God

8:30 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 10:50 a.m.

Third Sunday after Epiphany January 22, 2012

WE ENTER TO WORSHIP

PRESERVICE MUSIC (8:30)

PRELUDE (8:30)
Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts—arr. Hutson

PRELUDE (10:50)
Holy—arr. Hammerly

GATHERING SONG—HYMN NO. 674 (10:50)
Standing on the Promises

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Glenn Cole

GREETING TIME (10:50)

WE PRAISE GOD WITH OUR MUSIC, GIFTS, AND PRAYERS

HYMN NO. 377 (8:30, 10:50)
It Is Well With My Soul

OFFERTORY
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing—arr. Joel Raney
LaMurl Morris & Bill Emerson, piano duet

DOXOLOGY—HYMN NO. 94
Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow

PRAISE MUSIC

THE READING OF THE WORD
Psalm 121

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH, No. 880

WE LIFT OUR SPIRITS IN PRAYER
The Rev. Jerry Meredith

(10:50 a.m. service): Children may be dismissed to Children’s Church in Room 103. Pre-K (4 years old by Sept 1, 2011) through 2nd Grade

WORSHIP IN MUSIC
In Time, On Time, Every Time—arr. Randy Smith
St. James Men’s Ensemble

WE HEAR HIS WORD

The Rev. Jerry Meredith
SCRIPTURE
John 16:17-33

SERMON
“I Never Promised You a Rose Garden”

OUR RESPONSE

HYMN NO. 467
Trust and Obey

SENDING FORTH

CONGREGATIONAL BLESSING:
May the Lord, Mighty God, bless and keep you forever, Grant you peace, perfect peace, courage in every endeavor. Lift up your eyes and see his face, know His grace is for you, May the Lord, Mighty God, bless and keep you forever.

POSTLUDE
Come, We That Love the Lord—ST. THOMAS

Altar Color for Sunday, January 22nd — Green

Jimmy Beeland, Head Usher
THANK YOU FOR TURNING OFF ALL CELL PHONES DURING THE WORSHIP SERVICES AND BIBLE CLASSES. Our St. James Prayer Ministers will be available at the Altar immediately following the service to pray with anyone desiring prayer.

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES AT ST. JAMES

Sunday, January 22

Worship Services at 8:30, 9:40 and 10:50 a.m.

• 8:30 am Worship Service (Sanctuary)
• 9:00 am Coffee & Doughnuts (Fellowship Hall)
• 9:40 am Worship Service (Sanctuary)
• 9:40 am Bible Classes
• 10:50 am Worship Service (Sanctuary)
• 5:30 pm Student Leadership Team (The Jimmy)
• 6:00-8:00 pm Youth Supper Club (The Jimmy)
• 6:00 pm Hebrew Class (Room 220)