TRANSITION

Last Sunday in worship it was announced that Becky and I have been appointed to a new ministry assignment and will be leaving Sugarloaf UMC.  Our last Sunday with you will be May 19th.  During our four years here, we have come to know some wonderful, Godly people whom we will miss greatly!  We have been appointed to serve the First United Methodist Church in Newnan, Ga.  It is a great church with a rich history and promising future.  We are looking forward to a new opportunity to serve Christ and His Church.  We covet your prayers as we begin this new season of our lives!
Your new Pastor will be Matthew Mitchell.  Matthew currently serves as pastor of Dacula UMC.  Begin praying now that God will prepare Matthew for his time of ministry with you.  I ask that you commit to supporting him in whatever ways you can. His first Sunday with you will be June 23rd.  
During the interim, we have arranged for some excellent preachers to fill the pulpit each Sunday.  We will be passing along more information about these special guests in the weeks ahead.
Becky and I thank all you who have supported us these last four years.  We will never forget you and hope that one days our paths may cross again!

Stuart
 

GROW GROUPS AT SUGARLOAF

I am meeting next Sunday night with an important group within our church...our Grow Grow Leaders.  We will be discussing how the various groups are doing and how we can support this vital part of our church's ministry.
Are you currently in a Grow Group?  If not, I hope you will strongly consider what participating in this small group setting could mean in your spiritual life.  Living the Christian life is not something we were designed to do alone.  We grow best when we share our lives with a group of fellow believers who can love us, encourage us, nurture us, and yes, hold us accountable.  The kind of bonding and mutual care for another experienced in small groups is not likely to happen in a worship service with several hundred people.  The intimacy of Grow Groups provide you an opportunity to share, if you wish, your hurts, struggles, hopes, fears, questions in a safe and trusting environment.  The support and encouragement offered in return is truly wonderful and life-giving.  If you are looking for a place to find true friends, caring people, and opportunities to "go deeper" in your life of faith, I would encourage you to join one of our Grow Groups.  For more information about when and where groups meet, check out the church website or call Kendra at 678-684-6000 x106

 Stuart

EASTER FOLLOW-UP

In our Easter worship I shared the story of Ryan Rotela, the Florida Atlantic University student who was suspended from class because he failed to obey an assignment given by his professor.  The professor asked the students to write the name "JESUS" across a sheet of paper, place the paper on the ground and then stomp on it.  While most of the class went right ahead, Ryan refused.  He was not willing to disgrace his Lord or mock his faith!  Fortunately, he was later reinstated to the class.
As part of our Easter service, I asked you to write the word JESUS on a sheet of paper and then write some word of your love for him.  This afternoon we are sending those, nearly 700, to the school!  I thought I might share with you the letter I am sending along as well:

"Dear President Saunders,
I want to begin by thanking you and the leadership of FAU for reinstating Mr. Ryan Rotela following the much publicized incident in which students were asked to stomp on the name of Jesus.  This was the correct action and we appreciate your response.
This past Easter Sunday morning, we shared this story with our congregation and I asked each person to write the name "Jesus" on a piece of paper and then some other word expressing their sentiments about Christ.  I invited them to bring them to the altar and shared with them our plan to forward them to you.  Our only desire in doing this is to let you and the professor know that there are several hundred people at Sugarloaf United Methodist Church that think Jesus is the best thing that ever happened to the world and our desire is that all one day come to love him and embrace his truth!  We are sure your school is comprised of many students and faculty who share our belief.

Again, please know how grateful we are for your response to the unfortunate and insensitive class assignment.  We don't personally know Mr. Rotela, but it seems he has demonstrated a level of character and commitment to his faith that should serve as an inspiration to us all!

In Christ's Service,
Stuart Greene
Senior Pastor

AN EASTER CHALLENGE!

 

No day in all the year offers more HOPE than Easter Sunday!  On Easter, we celebrate the power and truth of Jesus Christ over death and proclaim him as the risen Son of God!  Because of his life, death and resurrection, all he taught us about life, the Father, about relationships, about eternity is TRUE and we can stop speculating about whether or not he is worthy of our devotion.  This Easter Sunday, we will proclaim this truth and offer it to all who choose to attend.

I have a challenge for you.  How would you like to know you have played a part in someone's decision to follow Christ?  Why not use this week, Holy Week, to invite someone you know to worship on Easter?  You probably know someone who is looking for HOPE.  What they need is someone to reach out and care enough to invite them to Easter Worship.  

Here is the challenge:  Monday and Tuesday of this week, pray for someone you know who does not attend any church. It may be a neighbor, a friend, or someone at work.  Pray that God would bless them and that God would give you greater compassion and interest in them.  On Wednesday of this week, call them on the phone and invite them to our Easter Service.  Let them know you will be glad to pick them up if they would like, or simply promise to meet them at the entrance to the church that morning.  Let them know you don't expect an answer right then and there. After all, they may be a little surprised at your invitation.  Ask them to think about it for a day or two.  Let them know you will call back on Friday to check on their response.  When you call on Friday, listen for their response.  If they decline your invitation, thank them for at least considering it and let them know they are welcome to join you any time.  If they accept your invitation,  let them know how thrilled you are!  If appropriate, invite them to join you for Easter lunch following the service.

Who knows whose spirit you might "resurrect" by reaching out!  It just might launch a new faith journey for someone who needs a little HOPE!

Stuart