As we prepare to celebrate another New Year you may have already given thought to the "Resolutions" you will make in 2012.  I have to admit, I am a little cynical about resolutions.  Don't get me wrong, I think making resolutions can be a great thing to do!  What's not good about decisions to lose weight, give up some harmful habit or spend more time in constructive endeavors?  To each of those I say, "Go For It!"  

Experience has shown me, however, that even if we are able to keep such resolutions, they cannot deliver what we truly need and long for.  Losing weight might make one thinner and healthier, but it won't necessarily make one's life more meaningful.  Giving up harmful habits and taking up helpful ones might make us feel better about ourselves, but they may not help us know ourselves better.  Resolutions may greatly effect our lives externally, but they usually have little or no effect on us internally.  I have come to realize that if I truly want to have a "happy" new year, or any year for that matter, it is all about nurturing my "Relationship" with God.  When that is being taken care of, life flows as it should.  Resolutions can make my life go smoother, only relationship with God can truly make it better.  

Stuart

 

I hope each of you are staying true to our challenge to "take back Christmas" from the hectic craziness it has often become!  I, for one, have yet to make a trip to the Mall.  It is WONDERFUL!  I can't remember a more "stress-free" Christmas!  My family will still be getting gifts from me this year, but those gifts will be much more personal, thought out, and reflective of my love for them.  

As a way of encouraging you to pursue the goals of the Advent Conspiracy (Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, Love All) I am currently posting a daily email note to everyone for whom we have email addresses.  If you would like to receive this daily contact, please email me with your address.  I will make sure you start getting them.

"sgreene@sugarloaf.org" 

Have a wonderful day and I hope to hear from you soon!

Stuart

The Christmas Season is finally here!  Again people debate whether the holiday is a SACRED event or a SECULAR event.  The answer is "yes".  It is whatever you choose it to be.  I've always liked to make the distinction this way:

In a Secular Christmas, we sing about Christ's birth.  In a Sacred Christmas, Christ's birth causes us to sing!

In a Secular Christmas we consume the "spirits!"  In a Sacred Christmas, "the" Spirit consumes us!

In a Secular Christmas we purchase presents for others.  In a Sacred Christmas, we realize the Presence has already purchased us!

In a Secular Christmas, we put lights on the tree.  In a Sacred Christmas, He puts His LIGHT in me!

In a Secular Christmas, we hope to receive gifts.  In a Sacred Christmas we receive the Gift of Hope!

In a Secular Christmas, we love to sing!  In a Sacred Christmas, we sing of love!

In a Secular Christmas, we buy things we cannot afford.  In a Sacred Christmas, we are afforded things we cannot buy.

In a Secular Christmas, we send each other messages.  In a Sacred Christmas, the Message sends us into the world!

Here's hoping you have a very Merry and Sacred Christmas!

Stuart 

This blog will be shorter than most since I am taking a few days off to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with my wife.  But I didn't want the day to come and go without letting all of you know how THANKFUL I am for all the wonderful friends in my life!  I am discovering more and more that the truly valuable things in life are not things at all, but the people with whom we share this journey.  As a Methodist Pastor, ministry has taken me to numerous churches and given me the opportunity to serve with thousands of wonderful people over the years.   In each location God has surrounded me with incredible friends.  It is currently my joy and privilege to serve with the great folks at Sugarloaf UMC.  This Thanksgiving, I will be expressing to God gratitude for the friendships I am experiencing there.  If you are one of those people reading this...I hope you know how truly blessed I feel to be serving Christ with you!
To all my friends everywhere, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  YOU ARE A TRUE BLESSING IN MY LIFE!

Stuart

"All Gave...Some Gave All"

Regardless of whatever else you are doing today, please take a moment to remember and honor a truly wonderful group of people...the Veterans of our Armed Forces!  The freedoms and liberties we enjoy today have been purchased by the sacrifice and service of the men and women of our military throughout our nation's history.  Pause today to remember those veterans who no longer live among us.  Pause to thank and show respect for those veteran's we live with and see everyday.  Pause, as well, to say a prayer for those who currently serve at home and around the world.  

I particularly want to say "Thank You!" to those veterans who are part of our Sugarloaf Church Family.  We don't always know who you are because you, in your humility, don't draw a lot of attention to yourselves or what you did for our nation.  Please know that I and your Church Family join a grateful nation in expressing our heart felt thanks for your service!  We will be recognizing our Veterans as part of this Sunday's worship.  I hope to see all of you there.

Stuart

 

ARE YOU IN?

OK...so you're wondering..."why is my church talking about Christmas and we just barely celebrated Halloween?  Has it bought into the rush to hype Christmas?"  Actually, just the opposite is true.  With our launch of the "Advent Conspiracy" last Sunday we are inviting you to radically rethink what Christmas is and how it ought to be acknowledged.  Our hope is to influence your thinking before the hectic "holiday rush" begins!


Let's face it...our observance of Christmas, as a nation, has become distorted, shallow and misdirected.  It hardly even has a hint of the spirit of Christ.  This is true even for many of us.  We worship what happens at the malls, more than we worship what happened in the Manger.  We spend rediculous amounts of money on gifts thinking it will prove or gain the affection of our family.  We allow our schedules to be filled with parties, events, shopping and other stressful activities even though they cause us to have less time to spend with family during the holidays. 

What if Christmas could be different this year?  What if we actually felt deep in our hearts the amazing truth that God has come to dwell among us?  What if at the end of December the only thing "broken" about us was not our bank account, but our hearts which were broken for the needs of people around us?  What if instead of giving our family more ties, sweaters and gadgets they will forget or discard within a few weeks we gave more of ourselves to them; our time, our affection, our attention?  What if when its time for the decorations to come down we know that something we did or gave meant the difference between life or death for children in poverty around the world?  

I want to invite you to do Christmas differently this year and, perhaps, for the rest of your life.  Beginning this coming Sunday (Nov. 6) we will offer a four week challenge to you.  We challenge you this Christmas to "Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More and Love All."  In addition to the messages in worship, you may want to purchase and read along in the book "Advent Conspiracy."  Several of our Grow Groups will also be using this material for their weekly meetings and discussion.  If you would like a study guide for the messages, go to the Grow Group website and download them there.

If you have ever reached a point of saying "I am tired of all the hype!  I'm fed up with the pressure to spend money I don't have on gifts people don't need!  I wish Christmas didn't have to be so stressful!" then the Advent Conspiracy is for you!  I hope to see you each week as we conspire together to TAKE BACK CHRISTMAS! ARE YOU IN?

Stuart

FOLLOW UP TO LAST BLOG

If you were in church Sunday, you know I felt led to use the service as a time to share some difficult realities with us.  It wasn't something I was looking forward to doing, but something I knew needed to be done.  I had to let us know that though we excel in a lot of areas, we currently do not excel in the area of giving.  Our text for the day reminded us of the commitment of the Macedonian churches as recorded in II Corinthians 8.  Paul writes of their faithfulness and generosity and then challenges us with these words, "But just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us - see that you also  excel in this grace of giving."
I didn't feel Sunday morning was the time to bog us down with lots of numbers and figures, but I have since had a number of you ask for more specific details of just where we stand.  If you are a member of Sugarloaf, you will be receiving a letter from me later this week.  In it I try to elaborate on some of the sentiments expressed in my message.  I hope you will give it prayerful consideration when it arrives at your home.
This is an amazing church with enormous opportunities for mission and ministry!   I cannot think of another place I would rather be.  While it is true we have some obstacles to overcome, they are nothing compared with the possibilities before us!  I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we launch the "CONSPIRACY!"  It's going to be a great morning!  Don't miss it!

Stuart

I hope everyone is enjoying the cool, crisp autumn air!  This is probably my favorite time of the year.  The leaves are changing colors, Fall football is in high gear, and some wonderful holidays are just around the corner.

I hope you are planning to be in worship this Sunday, Oct. 23rd.  There's something I need to talk with us about.  Don't worry, it isn't the end of the world but it is rather important.  I hope you will plan on being present.

Stuart

"20/20" Vision Team

Ever since January of this year, a group of Sugarloaf Church members and Staff have been meeting to discuss, pray and seek God's vision for the church over the next 10 years and beyond.  The group is known as the "20/20 Vision Team."  The name is significant for two reasons.  First, through prayer, study and conversation we hope to arrive at a clear and precise ( thus 20/20) vision for the church moving forward.  Second, our task has been to consider possibilities for our ministry between now and the year 2020.  
We spent the first few months of 2011 reading a fascinating book by Reggie McNeal entitled "The Present Future:  Six Tough Questions for the Church."  The book lays out a path the author believes churches will need to follow if they are to be relevant and effective in the years ahead.  The research provided and the insights shared in this material became the framework for our discussion.
Additionally, we have studied demographic data and growth projections for our community and surrounding area.  
Currently, we are seeking to identify major goals and objectives within the three-fold plan of "Worship God - Grow Your Life - Serve the World"  These purpose statements have served us well through the years and we are asking ourselves, "What is God calling us to do in each of these areas in the years ahead?" 
We are currently in the process of formalizing specific recommendations in each area.  Our plan is to present our recommendations to the Sugarloaf Council in December and then share the information with the congregation in January of 2012.
Please keep the work of this group in your prayers!  The recommendations it will make will effect the ministry of this church for years to come.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will direct our conversations and inspire our hearts to pursue God's will only for this great church!

Stuart

DIDN'T........DOESN'T

Words are amazing!  We use them to communicate.  We use them to express our feelings.  We use them to challenge, inspire, admonish, reprimand, praise, compliment, accuse, scold, tease, instruct, etc.  Words are the way we explain things, define things and understand things.  
 Sometimes words seem a little strange!  For example:  Why is that we "drive" on a "parkway" and "park" on a "driveway?"  Why is it that we ride "on" a bus, but we ride "in" a car?  Do you really want to get "on" the plane when you are flying?  Wouldn't it make more sense to get "in" the plane?  You get the idea!  Sometimes words are funny.

I was thinking the other day about our use of the words "Didn't" and "Doesn't."  It occurred to me that knowing the will of God for our lives is often as simple as knowing the proper placing of these words.  When we want to justify our actions we simply adjust the placing of these words in the sentence!  Let me explain!


Think about the difference between these two sentences:

"Didn't Jesus tell us the forgive others?"
"Jesus didn't tell us to forgive others."

Wow!  Talk about meaning too different things!  All by simply changing the placing of one word!

Here are some more examples:
 "Didn't Jesus tell us to live a life of holiness?"
Jesus didn't tell us to live a life of holiness." 
 "Didn't Jesus tell us that the love of money is the root of all evil?"
 "Jesus didn't tell us that the love of money is the root of all evil"
 "Doesn't God's word instruct husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the Church?" 
"God's word doesn't instruct husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the Church." 
 Doesn't God instruct us to serve others?" 
God doesn't instruct us to serve others." 
 "Didn't Christ tell us to show love and compassion to others?"
 "Christ didn't tell us to show love and compassion to others."
 "Doesn't the Bible say marriage is a sacred union between a man and a woman?"
 "The Bible doesn't say marriage is a sacred union between a man and a woman."


I think you get the idea!  Sometimes knowing God's will for us is hard to figure out.  Sometimes it is as easy as keeping "didn't" and "doesn't" in the proper order.  Just something to think about.

Till next time...
Stuart

SPECIAL "9/11" OBSERVANCE

You may have seen this amazing cross left by the destruction of the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001.  It is a reminder that even amid the rubble of the most violent and hateful act possible, the love of God and the truth of Jesus Christ prevail!  Our hope is that one day ALL the world will know his truth!
As we close in on the tenth anniversary of "9/11" we will be seeing lots of similar images as we recall the tragic events of that fateful day.  Here at Sugarloaf, we have planned a very special time of remembrance which I hope all of you can attend.  
The service will feature incredible patriotic music, a live interview from someone who witnessed the attacks first hand, special patriotic observances, a wonderful Children's Choir and a cook out after the service (12:00) 
Our special guests for the day will include members of the local Police and Fire Departments, plus our U.S. Congressman, Rob Woodall, who will bring the morning message.  You will not want to miss this amazing worship opportunity!
I would encourage you to intentionally reach out and invite your friends and neighbors to these services.  The events of "9/11" ten years ago brought our nation together as never before.  The Tenth Anniversary of the event should do the same!  Our service times will be a 9:30 and 11:00 am, but plan on arriving early.  We expect seating to be a premium for both services.
I have to tell you...I am so thrilled to be part of this dynamic church family!  God is doing some wonderful things among us and it's a trip to be part of what's going on!
Stuart

 

Well this is embarrassing!  In case you are using the weekly study guide I handed out this past Sunday, I think I need to explain a pretty obvious mistake!  I referenced one of the Psalms for you to read which talks about the fact that the Word of God brings "joy" to our lives when we reflect upon in.  Here is the passage I meant to include:  Psalm 19:8  "The precepts of the Lord are right,  giving joy to the heart.  The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes." 

Unfortunately what I posted in the study guide was Psalm 18:8.  I'm sure you were a little confused when you read..."Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it."  I guess I will proof read my materials a little better next time!  Oh well, if you had a little laugh at my expense, that's OK.  After all, that IS what we talked about Sunday isn't it!

I hope you are being faithful to keeping the disciplines throughout the week.  As I have tried to say each Sunday, it is the disciplines of solitude, meditation, prayer, worship, etc. that God uses to bring real transformation in our lives.  I hope you are finding that to be true.  I look forward to seeing you Sunday!

Stuart

 

FROM HERE...TO THERE!

 

Here at Sugarloaf we are currently  spending time in a process of spiritual formation called "From Here...to There" Becoming the Person You Were Created To Be!  Spiritual formation is an often neglected aspect of a Christian's life.  We have accepted Christ, we love Christ and we really do believe in him, but we aren't (at least a lot of us) being formed in Christ; we aren't moving toward the life God offers us and so wants us to experience.
If "here" represents where we currently are in our life, "there" represents the hopes and dreams God has for us.  We know we are moving from here to there when the Fruits of the Spirit are being developed in us.  (Go to Galatians 5:22-23 to see a list of the fruits!)  The fruits are developed in us as we engage in what are called "spiritual disciplines."  The disciplines include things like solitude, meditation, prayer, fasting, worship, study, and service.  It is in these times of engaging in the spiritual disciplines that God transforms us into the people he had in mind when we created us in the first place!
My hope is that you are actively participating in these disciplines.  Be sure to read the booklet you got in worship this past Sunday.  It gives a brief overview of the various practices.  As you spend time with God this week, give attention to the suggested questions and reflections in Sunday's worship outline.
I look forward to being with you Sunday as we reflect on the second fruit of the Spirit - JOY.  

Till then,

Stuart

WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR LIFE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

I think most of us want to use our life in such a way that we make our "mark", that we truly make a difference.  I also know that some of us feel we aren't doing that as effectively as we would like.  We wonder if our lives really matter.  We feel inadequate, disengaged and as though we are not realizing our full potential.  

I have put together an experience that I believe can help you develop greater confidence and clarity as you discover your unique identity as a child of God!  I want to share how you can use your life in greater ways to love God, serve others and, in so doing, discover how you really can make a difference!

"Difference Makers" is a 12 week class which focuses on helping you understand what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and how to use that identity to be a leader in life.  Maybe you don't see yourself as a "leader." Actually, all of us are called to lead at certain times in our lives.  We are all given those opportunities to influence others and positively effect the world around us.  All of us can make a difference!
I will be teaching the class on Wednesday nights beginning August 24th from 6:30-8:15 pm.  We will be meeting in the "Rec Room" which is just off from the Worship Center. There is no cost for the class.  
I will be posting a sign- up for the class on the church website in the next few days. Please register in advance so I can know to expect you.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.  I look forward to seeing you!

Till next time...


Stuart

CAN YOU GUESS WHAT THIS IS?

 Have you got any idea what's is this photograph?  If you didn't know any better, you would think this was nothing more than a warehouse filled with meaningless scrap metal ready to be shredded and melted down for recycling.  I guarantee, none of these metal beams will be tossed aside as worthless scrap!  Why?  Because they are far from meaningless.  These beams are the remains of the Twin Towers which were destroyed by terrorists in 2001.  They are being held in this warehouse until they are claimed by towns and cities all around the country.  One by one they will be ceremoniously draped in the American Flag and delivered to sites throughout the land where they will become the center-pieces of memorials and tributes to those who died that fateful day.  Some will be escorted by police and fire fighters in uniform.  Some will arrive in grand style through parades and solemn motorcades.  Once they were the frame of a mighty building.  Soon they will become symbols of the faith of a mighty nation and people!  For hundreds of years people will gather in city squares and small town parks to see the memorials created by these metal beams.  They will offer a prayer as they remember the dead and give thanks for the heroes who saved lives.
Years ago another common, seemingly meaningless material took on new meaning and  changed the lives of people forever.  Two normal, simple beams of wood were fashioned together in the form of a cross.  The pattern was known to all as a means of execution.  Once the cross served it's deadly deed, it was most likely dismantled and discarded; simple scrap.  But one cross in particular changed all that.  It held the King of Kings; the very Son of God.  Because of that cross and the sacrificial love Jesus displayed there, the cross has become the most powerful symbol of faith, hope and love the world has ever known!  Anyone who understands what happened there and who receives the love offered there is never the same!
I hope everyone reading this one day gets to see some of the scrap metal in this photo.   I hope one of those pieces comes to my town.  But regardless of whether you get to see one of those memorials, I hope all of you, now or in the future, will see and understand the power of the Cross!
Nothing or no one can ever bring it down!


Till next time...
Stuart

COMING HOME!

After nearly a week and a half in the hospital, my wife Becky is finally getting to come home tomorrow (Thursday!)  She actually came home onSunday, but we were back in the hospital twelve hours later.  She has gotten much stronger the last few days and the doctor feels she can continue recovering just as well at home.
The surgery was successful and she will most likely feel like a brand new person in a couple of weeks.  I really appreciate all the prayers and support each of you have shown both of us.  It is times like this we realize how blessed we are to be part of such an amazing church family.  Your gestures of love and support have meant the world to us and we are very, very appreciative.
On the 30th of this month, Becky and I will celebrate 34 years of marriage.  She is still just as beautiful and precious to me today as she was when I first met her in Montgomery years ago.  Over the years God has blessed us with three wonderful sons, three incredible daughter-in-laws and two amazing grandsons.  We thank God for each of them everyday.
Right now I am preaching a series on "Essentials: Packing for the Journey."  We are reflecting on the necessity of Faith, Hope and Love in the living of one's life.  The people I have mentioned above have each, in their own way, taught me the value of the third essential, LOVE, which will be our focus this coming Sunday.  I hope to see you in worship if you are in town.
Till next time...
Stuart

ESSENTIALS FOR THE JOURNEY

If you are in town this week, I hope you will be in worship as we continue to focus on those three biblical "essentials" to life.  They are Faith, Hope and Love.  Life simply cannot be lived effectively without these.

Our focus this coming Sunday will be on HOPE.  Romans 5:35 makes a claim, that to be honest, doesn't seem to be true.  It says that "hope does not disappoint us."  I don't know about you, but hope disappoints me repeatedly!

When I was kid, I hoped for a pony (which kid didn't?) but I never got one. 
Every year I hope the Georgia Bulldogs win the SEC Football Championship.
When Becky discovered a lump in her breast years ago, we hoped it wasn't cancer.
I hoped we would oversubscribe our church budget this year.
All of these "hopes" failed to meet my expectations and left me disappointed.

What are we to make of this claim of scripture that hope does not disappoint?  We can either dismiss it as religious myth and join the chorus of those who say belief in God is a waste of time or we can try to unravel its meaning and discover its truth.  That's precisely what we will attempt to do this Sunday.  I hope you will join me.  And in that hope, I hope I want be disappointed!

See you Sunday, (I hope)
Stuart

Faith...Hope...Love...




Whenever we head out on a journey, it is important to make sure we pack appropriately.  Nothing can make a trip more frustrating than not having needed supplies, clothing and necessities.  Forgetting important medication, leaving behind your passport, failing to pack your favorite outfit or the right kind of shoes for the trip can turn a pleasant experience into a full scale hassle or worse!  Packing is important!  You want to make sure you bring along the essentials!

If life were a journey...which it is...what are the "essentials"  most important to bring along?  What are the things which would make the journey most effective, successful, meaningful and productive?  Things like education, friendships, careers would certainly make the list.  Success, popularity, good health are things we would want to include.  But are these going to really make life the incredible journey it is meant to be?  Probably not!  I know lots of people who have had these things all along their journey and their life is actually pretty miserable.  They lack the "essentials."

What are the essentials?  They are FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE.  Without these, the journey will fail to live up to its potential.  The journey can get pretty rough at times.   There are times when the terrain is difficult with twists and turns, dangers and difficulties that we didn't anticipate.  Sometimes the path is easy and level, but other times it is rocky, uneven and exhausting.  If you haven't packed the essentials of faith, hope and love, you are in for real challenges which may be more than you can survive.

This Sunday we will begin a three week series on "Essential for the Journey."  I hope you will plan on joining me for each message.  If you know someone who is having a hard time on their "journey" and could benefit from the messages on faith, hope and love why not invite them to attend with you?  It may just be the invitation they have been waiting for!

Hope to see you Sunday!

Stuart

GREETINGS FROM ANNUAL CONFERENCE!

Every June pastors and laity from United Methodist churches across north Georgia gather for Annual Conference.  It is time to worship, hear reports on the great things happening throughout the church, set priorities for the coming year, see old friends and get caught up on what is going on in each others lives.  


Another major aspect of conference is the Commissioning and Ordination of persons into ministry.  This year has been especially meaningful in that regard because of a new appointment for Sugarloaf.  On Tuesday night Mike Devine was commissioned as a "Provisional Elder" in the Church.  This is a great accomplishment and means he has passed rigorous review by the Church and is authorized to serve as a pastor.  After a three year period of service, he will be ordained as a "Full Elder".  On Friday of this week, Mike will be officially appointed as the first Associate Pastor at Sugarloaf!  We are really excited about what Mike will bring to the ministry team at the church.  His primary responsibility will be in the area of Spiritual Formation; developing a process to help persons grow and deepen their relationship with Christ.  He will work with our lay leadership in enhancing our ministry with women, men and adults.  You will also see him leading worship on Sunday mornings.  Mike and Kit's first "official" Sunday with us will be June 26th.  


Also attending the Conference with Becky and me are Kerry Lauria (Congregational Care) and Ken Powers (Lay Delegate)  I am grateful for them and all they do make Sugarloaf the absolute best church in the North Georgia Conference to serve!  


On Friday, I am looking forward to being appointed back as your Senior Pastor.  This is truly an amazing church!  We are doing things that are making an impact on the world.  We are seeing God work in our midst.  We are seeing families and individuals deepen their spiritual lives.  We are setting an example of creative and effective outreach and ministry to the community.  And the best thing is....we are only getting started!  There is so much God is preparing for us in the future.  I feel so blessed and excited to be part of it!  


I look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we celebrate the events of this week's "Summer Sensational."  Once again, Lori Cotter and her incredible team have pulled off a fantastic experience for our kids.  


Till next time,


Stuart

NO MORE CAMOUFLAGE!

I hope I will see most of you in worship this coming Sunday!  We will be finishing our series on the theme "No More Camouflage!  We have looked at what it means to live a life of "holiness."  As Christians, we are not meant to merely blend in to our surroundings; taking the values, practices and beliefs of the culture.  We are meant to STAND OUT; living lives which reflect God's purpose and plan.  Unfortunately, many of us are way too comfortable in camouflage!  We live, act and speak like everyone else around us.  How can we expect to be a viable witness for Christ if instead of being LIGHT, we embrace the DARKNESS?  How can we expect to effectively influence our culture for Christ if we blend in instead of standing out?


We can't!  That's why a life of holiness is so important.  If ever the world needed authentic, sincere, faithful Christ Followers to lead the way, it is now.  This Sunday we will explore the steps a person needs to take in order to pursue a life of genuine holiness.  I hope you will be present.  I am encouraging everyone to wear an outer article of camouflage to worship this week.  At the conclusion of the service, we will have an opportunity to "shed" the camouflage that keeps us from being what God intends us to be.  I look forward to worshiping with you!


Stuart
 

It's About SERVING!

Two Sundays ago I shared with you a new initiative God has laid on my heart.  It has to do with intentionally claiming our identity as "servants" and living that out in our neighborhoods,  schools and community.  One of Jesus' last instructional acts with the disciples was to wash their feet.  After this powerful demonstration of humility and service he looked at them and said, "Do you understand what I have done for you?"  He was wanting to help them understand how to reach their world with the Gospel.  We wanted them to have the best chance to succeed in attracting new converts to the faith.  So what does he do?  Give them religious tracts to distribute up and down the street? NO!  Give them an outline to a sermon to preach to large crowds? NO!  He washes their feet!  He models for them an act of serving!  And then he says, "I have given you an example of what I want you to do!"  Jesus knew that the best way to reach people in that day, and TODAY is to serve them!  That, more than anything else will get their attention, cause them to want to know more about matters of faith, God and Christ.  
I am currently looking for people who would like to help launch this new initiative here at Sugarloaf.  The plan is to identify needs in our community (schools, clubs, etc.) and say "How Can We Help?"  My hope is that we can create such a "Culture of Serving" here at Sugarloaf that we just instinctively look for ways to serve people around us.  I envision a time when Sugarloaf is known throughout this community as that church that is always showing up to serve people!  
If you would like to know more or think you might have an interest in helping craft this new focus, I would love to hear from you!  You can email me at sgreene@sugarloaf.org



Till next time...


Stuart

HERE'S YOUR OPPORTUNITY!

Sugarloaf UMC is, and always has been, a church seeking to be on the "cutting edge" of ministry; being more comfortable "outside the box" than in some pre-determined mold!  Quite frankly, that is what drew me to want to be part of this incredible church.  In January of this year, we launched a "20/20" Vision Team to spend an entire year dreaming, visioning and planning for where we are headed next.  We want to know God's heart and call for us over the next 10 years!  We want to seek God's plan rather than asking him to simply bless some plan of our making!
Would you be willing to share your thoughts with me and the Team?  I would really like to know what you believe churches need to do today to best serve God and reach people.  I would love to hear from you whether you are a member here at Sugarloaf or not!  Hey, I would love to hear from you if you don't attend ANY Church because you've gotten turned off by church!  You just may have something to say that we need to hear!  Bring it on!
This blog is not set up to receive responses, so here is the deal.  Share your thoughts with me at    sgreene@sugarloaf.org   I won't promise that we will use every idea, but who knows, your insights may spark a new ministry or a new focus for us.  
Here are some suggestions to stimulate your thoughts:

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE YOU SEEING CHURCHES COMMITTING?
WHAT WOULD A CHURCH HAVE TO DO TO REACH YOUR UNCHURCHED FRIENDS?
WHAT IS THE GREATEST NEED FACING YOU OR YOUR FAMILY THAT THE CHURCH COULD HELP YOU WITH?
WHAT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO SEE YOUR CHURCH DO TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE?


I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR RESPONSES! 

Stuart

"MY GIVING"

If you were to complete a sentence beginning with "My giving..." how would the sentence flow?  The very word "giving" evokes all kinds of reactions from people, especially when it is mentioned in church.

Some of us might complete the sentence in ways that aren't real positive.  We might say...
"My giving...is none of your business!  My giving...is actually pretty embarrassing.  My giving...is not really that important to me.  My giving...is not what I know it should be."

For the next two Sundays, I want to share with you how to get to a more positive view of giving.  I believe giving is supposed to be a source of joy in the life of the Christian.  Wouldn't it be great if you could complete the sentence in this way...

"My giving...is a way of expressing my love for God!  My giving...helps me develop greater trust in God!  My giving... pleases God and brings me great joy!  My giving...helps me live for something beyond myself!"

As you can see, giving is designed to do something profound in the life of the giver.  It is a spiritual practice that enhances our relationship with God.  When we understand the proper way to give and the proper reasons to give...we discover a whole new attitude towards the practice.
I hope you will join me the next two Sundays as we reflect on the impact giving can have in our lives!

Stuart

THE ROYAL WEDDING!

OK!  I'll admit it!  I was a little cynical about all the media hype given the last few weeks to the Royal Wedding in London.  But I have to say...it was really an amazing thing to watch.  No, I didn't get up at 4:00 am to watch it, but I was in front of the TV from 6:00 am till the couple paraded into Buckingham Palace.
Isn't it great to see so many powerful people gathered in God's House, singing His hymns, and kneeling in prayer before Jesus, the King of Kings!  Oh that they and we would live all of life that way!  I loved it when the Bishop said, "All weddings are royal weddings because ALL of us are subjects of the King of Creation!"
I hope you each of you have a wonderful weekend.   This Sunday will be a special day as we welcome Joe Sangle.  He will be sharing valuable insights about the relationship between faith and finances; God and money.  He is a wonderful communicator and you will not want to miss his message.  Also, be sure to sign up to attend his free seminar this Monday night.  Registration is limited so register now!  

Till next time,
Stuart

HAPPY EASTER!

As I am preparing for my Easter message tomorrow, I am filled with awe and gratitude for the amazing love has shown us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  Several years ago my oldest son, Tucker, wrote of poem expressing his thoughts about the events of Christ's death and resurrection.  It has always brought me encouragement and I thought I would share it with you as we reflect on the meaning of the Easter season.  I hope you enjoy it.

"Watch as the tears slip slowly down

the face beneath the thorny crown.

They placed the thorns upon his head

then laughed with glee til his wounds bled

And all for me!

He stumbles down the dusty road

falling beneath the heavy load.

Jeering, they raised him up again

ignoring all his grief and pain.

And all for me!

They buried him without a thought.

It seemed his life would be for naught.

And all for me!

Yet sun, and Son arose at dawn!

An empty tomb, my past is gone!

Leaving behind his joy and love.

Rising assures our home above!

Thanks, Tucker for reminding us of the real essence of what Easter is all about!

Till next time...

Stuart 

PLEASE DON'T MISS THIS!!!!!!!

Several months ago I had an opportunity to experience a seminar by a guy named Joseph Sangl.  I was amazed at his insights and energy as he shared with us about personal financial management from a Christian perspective.  Like many young professionals starting out, Joe was all about making tons of money and spending it as fast as he could.  Before long, his hunger for more and more things pretty much consumed his life.  One day that came crashing down and Joe had to decide what really mattered most in life.  His heart became changed by the love of Christ and Joe began living differently.  He learned the proper way to make, manage, invest and give money as an expression of his love for God.  He shares those insights in his book 
"I Was Broke! Now I'm Not!"  It is a "must read" for anyone wanting to get a handle on their personal finances.
Joe is quick to say that "being broke" doesn't necessarily mean not having money.  For him, being broke meant not having money available to do the things he knew God wanted him to do.  His money was always tied up with debt, bills and other commitments.  Learning to manage his money in a way that enabled him to give to God's purposes, opened up all kinds of meaningful opportunities for him.
I am very excited to let you know Joe Sangl will be with us for two days in May.  On Sunday, May 1, he will launch our "MY GIVING..." stewardship campaign by preaching at both morning services.  On Monday, May 2, he will be conducting his "Financial Learning Experience", a two hour, fast moving seminar on financial management and planning.  This seminar is so important that we are providing this training to everyone FREE of charge!  A dinner will be served and it is free as well.  A special night of fun and entertainment has been planned for the kids so you don't even have to worry about a baby sitter!  Your kids will be fed and enjoy an amazing Magician in our Sugarloaf Kids building.
These are trying financial times in which we are living.  We need to know the best ways to make, invest, save and give God's money for maximum effectiveness.  Regardless of your current financial state, I believe everyone can benefit from the insights Joe will share.  To register, go back to the Home Page of the website and follow the tabs. 

THE VERDICT IS IN !!

Not that there was ever any doubt...but the great folks of Sugarloaf church have proven themselves to be trustworthy!  This past Sunday we distributed $5 bills to every person who entered the sanctuary for worship.  Yes, there were quite a few "strange looks" given to the Ushers as they handed the money to people entering the doors.  Some people had to actually be persuaded it was "OK" to take the money!  The money was part of an illustration I used in a sermon on stealing.  The idea was to let those in attendance know they had a choice.  They could return the money at the end of the service, which is what we asked them to do; or, they could decide to take it, thus "stealing" something that wasn't theirs.  

We had $2500 to distribute.  We trusted those in attendance to do the right thing and return the money.   As persons came forward for communion, they were asked to "bring themselves and the $5 dollars" and give both to Christ.  Not only did we get ALL the money back, we got even more!  We distributed $2500...we got back $2659...$159 more than we handed out!

I never doubted for a minute that every dollar would come back!  There really wasn't any  risk in what we did given the character of the people here in the church.  But what a great surprise to see more come in than what we gave out!  Come to think of it, I shouldn't be surprised.  That's usually the way God works.  He gives us far more than we can ever give him!  It's not the lesson I intended to highlight on Sunday, but its a wonderful lesson to be reminded of none the less!

Until next time...

Stuart

UNBELIEVABLE WEEKEND!!!!

Sometimes I have to think long and hard about what to write in my blog.  Not this week!  This past weekend's "From Hunger to Hope" event was truly amazing!  Here is the bottom line...between Friday and Sunday afternoon we prepared and packed 328,536 meals to be sent to starving children in Haiti!  That means that 900 children will be fed for an entire year because of the love and generosity of Sugarloaf UMC!  By partnering with "Feed My Starving Children" and help from volunteers throughout the community, we have literally saved lives and given hope to families in that part of the world.  Not only did we do that, we collected over 1000 items of food to be distributed to local food banks in the community! 

There are way too many people to thank but I want to at least mention the people most responsible for the weekend.  Tami McLaughlin is our Director of Beyond the Walls Ministry here are Sugarloaf.  Coordinating the efforts of our Volunteers was  Kiersten Greeff and Lara Mann.  They did an incredible job in planning and recruiting for this event!
Thanks as well to our Youth who participated in the 30 Hour Famine and, who along with Congregational Care and Sugarloaf Kids, planned an amazing walk through "Journey From Hunger to Hope" as part of the experience!  You helped us learn so much!  Special thanks as well to the Worship Arts Team who moved our worship service from the sanctuary to the Fair Grounds!  

The Gwinnett Daily Post has written a great article with photos of the event which you can find on their website www.gwinnettdailypost.com  Look for the article called "Filled with Love"  
Thanks to all the members of the church and community who made this possible!
It is a blessing to be part of this church body!

Stuart

SPREAD THE NEWS!

On my way to church on a recent Sunday morning I saw a car pulled off the side of the road.  It was obviously stalled.  It was loaded down with Sunday additions of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.  It was filled to the brim!  You couldn't have gotten another Sunday coupon in that car.  There sat a car filled with newspapers, but unable to complete its mission of getting that news into the hands of the intended recipients.

That image reminded me of so many churches today.  They have the "good news" to share.  They have more than an ample supply of that good news.  They have the means to distribute that news.  But the news isn't being delivered to the people who need it.  Why?  Because the church is stalled, broken down on the side of the road.  It is "stalled" by lack of vision which causes it to always be looking "inward" instead of "outward."  It is "broken down" by internal apathy and indifference among the people.  It is sidelined by paradigms of ministry that have long since lost their effectiveness in reaching lost people.  They have more than enough news to share, they just aren't completing the delivery in a timely or effective manner!

I hope you are as excited as I am to be part of a church like Sugarloaf that realizes the importance of delivering the news and, in the process, changing lives for the better!  Beginning in the next few weeks, we are going to take a part of our Sunday services to highlight some of the incredible things God is doing through our ministry.  We're going to tell the story of how we as a church are delivering the "Good News" of Jesus Christ to people both inside and outside the church!  I look forward to sharing in those worship opportunities with you!

Stuart

LADIES NIGHT OUT is March 22! 6:30 pm

I want to use my blog this week to let you know about an upcoming event designed especially for women.  Its a wonderful evening of dining, inspiration and worship called "The Bride of Christ."  The evening will focus on how we, as the Church, are loved by Christ and viewed by Him as his "bride."  What higher honor could he give us?

My good friend, Diane Parrish, will bring the music and teaching for the evening.  Diane has an amazing testimony to share!  As a young woman she went to Hollywood to pursue a life of fame and fortune. Along the way, she performed with many of the entertainment world's greatest stars. Like many before her, she soon found herself living life far from God.  In an incredible series of events, God pursued and rescued her from self destruction and completely transformed her life. Today she is serving God in a variety of ways including founding a ministry for the children of inmates. You will be deeply moved by her music and her story of faith in the face of adversity!

The event includes an elegant dinner, door prizes, the opportunity to make new friends, and  experience powerful worship.  For tickets, check out the church website at "www.sugarloaf.org"
I don't meet the gender requirements for this event, but I plan to be there because I know what an incredible evening it will be!  


Stuart

UPDATE: SATURDAY MARCH 12

Hello from "recovery central" better known as home!  I spent an unexpected two days in the hospital this week where I reluctantly participated in a heart cath.  I have been experiencing some shortness of breath and general "tiredness" lately and the tests revealed a 50% blockage in two of my arteries.  It's not serious enough to do any additional procedures, but serious enough to get my attention and take better care of myself!  
I am home resting today and will not be able to join my Sugarloaf family for worship services tomorrow.  I look forward to seeing everyone next week!
Stuart

HUDSON TIMOTHY GREENE

This past weekend was one we will always remember as very, very special!  God blessed us with a new grandchild, Hudson Timothy Greene born Friday, March 4th at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta.  Hudson is the first-born child of our son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Sara.  Sara is already proving to be the "perfect" mother as she cares for little Hudson.  Tim is going to be a great Dad and is already learning to change diapers!  

Hudson weighed in at 6 pounds 11 ounces and was 18 inches long.  He brought his Mom and Dad home from the hospital this past Sunday.  

I can't wait for everyone to see him.  They live in Canton and are very involved in their church home there, but I hope to convince them to bring Hudson for a Sunday morning visit before too long.  It you sense an extra "spring in my step" the next few weeks, you'll know why.  Babies, especially grandbabies, have a way of doing that to you!

I hope to see all of you in worship this Sunday!

Stuart