March 7, 2010

One Body

Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. ( 1 Corinthians 10:16-17)

Most of us have experienced having been young and foolish; now, being somewhat old and foolish provides us with a wealth of humor, that is, if you can laugh at yourself. I heard about a young person who was busily applying for work, and having no experience whatever to merit it, encountered on an application form an imposing looking space labeled, “Professional Societies of which you are member.” Not to be deterred, he simply wrote in, “Member, National Geographic Society.” (He did not get the job.)

Many of us view the word “member” in the sense it is used above. One more interchangeable person, having no particular task or duty, but somehow a part of the society in question. The New Testament church has members, but none in that sense. The illustration most commonly used is that we are a body. As such, the “members” of a body, if you can recall the older sense of that word, are not interchangeable. Each
member has a specific task to perform and a role to play.

Much can be made of that, but I would ask you to step behind the thought. Why is it that we are such members? Paul tells us here that it is because of the Lord’s Supper. By that he certainly does not mean that any mindless person who participates in the Lord’s Supper is a member. Rather, he means that we share in the death of Christ. And because we share together, we are one body. It is not the emblem, but rather the sacrifice for which it stands, which makes us one.

‘Til next time,

 

PREPARING FOR SUNDAY MORNING

SUNDAY WORSHIP at 8:30, 9:40, and 11:00 a.m.
Scripture: Luke 13:1-9
Communion Meditation: Wake Up, Come Alive
The Rev. Jerry Meredith

LITURGICAL READINGS FOR MARCH 7, 2010:
Isaiah 55:1-9 ~ Psalm 63:1-81
Corinthians 10:1-13~ Luke 13:1-9

Can You Help?

Spring is just around the corner, and Easter will soon be here. We need your help as we prepare for our Annual Children’s Ministry Easter Celebration and Egg Hunt on April 3. We are collecting bags of individually wrapped candy to fill our eggs (no chocolate or nuts, please). Please place your candy in the marked box in the Fellowship Hall or Children’s Hallway. If you have questions or need more information, please call HEATHER at 706-548-1680. Thank you for helping to bless our children.

For the Men of St. James:

Our next Men’s Ministry Gathering will be at the home of Charlie Dobbins (320 Pinewood Circle, Athens) this Thursday, March 11, at 7:00 PM. Come join us for a great informal evening of tasty snacks and excellent fellowship. And please feel free to bring a friend ... the more, the merrier! See you there!

“GET IN THE GAME” 2010

Church Retreat March 19-21 ~ At St. James
More details and registration forms are available in the Church Office, Sanctuary racks, and on the website here. PLEASE NOTE REGISTRATION DEADLINE: THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 2010.

REQUESTS FOR PRAYER

Our Christian love and sympathy to Debra Wooten and family in the death of Debra’s mother, Rebecca Terry And to Juli Wisotsky in the death of her father, J.T. Wilkes

Helen Price, Dale Williams, Jimmy Hamilton, Anne Kenan, Carol Hurd, Dovetta (“Pinky”) White, Katherine Arnold Wolf, Paula Williams, Torry Madurski, Joan Dotson, Larry Choate, Bill Arnold, Sarah Klayman, Vera Hall, Jean Williams, Kenneth Cole, Margaret Legato, Richard Andersen, Andy Hassell, Jena Cabaniss, Judi Lund

SERVING IN THE MILITARY
Zach Cole, Matt Cole, 2nd LT William Mahoney, Cody Maxwell, 1st LT. Brett Thomas, Kyle Crume, MAJ Chris Himmelsbach, Tim Kraeling, Chris Walker

It is our privilege to pray for you. Prayer needs will be printed here only in those weeks where they are specifically requested. Please feel free to write prayer requests on the attendance pads. Help us to honor your requests by stating whether they are confidential or for inclusion in the Focus.

In Memoriam
REBECCA TERRY
“I am the Resurrection and the Life.”

 

St. James ~ A REMINDER

We will not have our usual Wednesday Night Activities this Wednesday, March 10, 2010, because both Clarke County Schools and the University of Georgia will be on Spring Break. If you are traveling, please have a safe and happy time. We’ll see you on March 17 when all of our regular Wednesday Night Activities will resume.

Coming Soon: Young Harris United Methodist Blood Drive

Thursday, March 25, 1:00-6:00 PM ( in the Family Life Center)
There is an urgent need for blood donations. Please give the gift of life. Call Marie Mize (706-769-4451) to schedule an appointment. Remember~

• Bring a photo ID
• Before you donate:
  Drink extra caffeine-free fluids (like water & juice)
  Eat a good meal or snacks
  No intense exercise or heavy lifting after giving blood

 

Dearest Friends of St. James,
To say “thank you” for the wonderful reception just does not seem enough ... but I do say “thank you” from the bottom of my heart for the most loving and honoring gift of love you gave to me. It was beautifully done. I shall never forget! To see all of you enjoying each other and loving each other at the event was the best part. I was able to receive the thanks and the offerings, enjoy and bask in it for a while, but then, to be able to lay those at the feet of our precious Lord as HE made all of that possible.

I love you,
Carol Staton

Reminder for JOLLY GOOD TIMERS:

The Jolly Good Timers will meet on Monday, March 8, at 12:00 noon, in the Fellowship Hall. Following lunch, Jim Jacobson will speak on “The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in China - The Expected and Unexpected Circumstances”.

FEBRUARY 21, 2010

• Sunday School Attendance 252
• Worship (8:30) 76
• Worship (9:40) 88
• Worship (11:00) 192
• Total Worship 356

 

3rd Sunday in Lent March 7, 2010

 

WE ENTER TO WORSHIP

PRESERVICE MUSIC
Marlene Bryan

PRELUDE
LaMurl Morris

GATHERING SONG
Celebrate Jesus

WELCOME AND GREETING
Glenn Cole

WE PRAISE OUR GOD

*HYMN NO. 64
Holy, Holy, Holy

READING OF THE WORD
Psalm 63:1-8

PRAISE AND WORSHIP
St. James Praise Team

OUR WORSHIP IN PRAYERS, OFFERINGS, AND MUSIC

WE LIFT OUR SPIRITS IN PRAYER
The Rev. Jerry Meredith

THE LORD’S PRAYER

WE OFFER OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS TO THE LORD

OFFERTORY
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross - arr. Marilynn Ham
LaMurl Morris

* DOXOLOGY - NO. 95
Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow
11:00 service - Children, Pre-K (who will be 4 by September 1st) through 2nd grade, may be dismissed to Children’s Church in Room 113 during Jesus Loves Me.

WE HEAR HIS WORD

SCRIPTURE
Luke 13:1-9

COMMUNION MEDITATION
Wake Up, Come Alive
The Rev. Jerry Meredith

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

OUR RESPONSE

* HYMN NO. 514
Stand Up, Stand Up, for Jesus

PASTORAL BLESSING

* 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.

POSTLUDE
LaMurl Morris

* Congregation standing

Altar Color: Purple

Ray Edwards, Head Usher
THANK YOU FOR TURNING OFF ALL CELL PHONES DURING WORSHIP SERVICES AND BIBLE CLASSES.

Our St. James Prayer Ministers will be available at the altar immediately following the 11:00 a.m. service to pray with anyone desiring prayer.

 

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES AT ST. JAMES

Sunday, March 7
Worship Services at 8:30, 9:40, & 11:00 a.m.

• 8:30 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary)
• 9:00 a.m. Coffee & Doughnuts (Fellowship Hall)
• 9:40 a.m. Worship and Communion (Sanctuary)
• 9:40 a.m. Bible Classes
• 10:30 a.m. Sunday School at The Light (174 Henderson Ext.)
• 11:00 a.m. Worship and Communion (Sanctuary)
• 11:00 a.m. Families In Christ Class (Rm 219)
• 11:00 a.m. Worship at The Light (174 Henderson Ext.)
• 12:30 p.m. Next Step Luncheon (following 11:00 service in Fellowship Hall)
• 5:00 p.m. NO Student Leadership Meeting This Week
• 6:00 p.m. NO Youth Supper Club This Week
• 6:00 p.m. Hebrew Class (Rm 101)
• 6:00 p.m. Worship at The Light (174 Henderson Ext.)

Monday, March 8

• 10:00 a.m. Intercessory Prayer Group (Rm 107)
• 12:00 p.m. Jolly Good Timers Luncheon/Program (Fellowship Hall)
• 5:30 p.m. Praise Team Vocal Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
• 6:00 p.m. Praise Team Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
• 7:00 p.m. Clarke Middle WyldLife (Fellowship Hall)
• 7:00 p.m. A.A. Meeting (Rms 101, 111)

Tuesday, March 9

• 8:00 a.m. Bible Study (Room 219)
• 9:00 a.m. Emmaus Reunion Group (Rm 212)
• 12:00 p.m. Praying For Athens (Rm 101)
• 6:30 p.m. 2010 Church Retreat Meeting (Rm 212)
• 6:30 p.m. Disciple I (Rm 219)
• 6:30 p.m. Disciple IV (Rm 220)
• 7:00 p.m. Elijah House Basic I School (Fellowship Hall, Room 101)

Wednesday, March 10

• 10:30 a.m. SJUMC Staff Meeting (Rm 212)
• Please Note:
  We will not have our regular Wednesday Night Activities this evening because of UGA & Clarke County SPRING BREAK. (This includes Nursery, Children, Youth, and Adult Activities.) Our regular Wednesday Night Activities will resume at the usual times next week, March 17. We’ll see you then! Have a blessed and safe holiday.
• 7:30 p.m. Women’s Ensemble Rehearsal (Rm 213)
• 7:30 p.m. Men’s Ensemble Rehearsal (Rm 214)

Thursday, March 11

• 1:00 p.m. District Meeting (Fellowship Hall and Room 220)
• 6:30 p.m. Finance Committee Meeting (Rm 212)
• 7:00 p.m. A.A. Meeting (Rms 101, 111)
• 7:00 p.m. Men’s Monthly Gathering

Friday, March 12

• SJUMC Office Closed
• 8:00 a.m. Men’s Prayer (Sanctuary, Parlor)
• 6:00 p.m. Youth BIG EVENT: Movie Night Popcorn Feast (The Jimmy)