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 

One of the highlights of my life was walking with my wife and son along the path that Jesus took as he entered Jerusalem for the last time.  It is the path from the Mount of Olives through the Kidron Valley to the Temple Mount.  On Palm Sunday, we remember the day Jesus took this route surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands of adoring fans waving palm branches in the air.  It was a parade of jubilation and high expectation.  
The parade didn't last very long;  neither did the adoration of most in the crowd.  Within a few days, the palms and the praise of the crowd began to fade.  The week would end on Good Friday with Jesus dying on the Cross for the sins of the world.  
This Sunday, March 24 is Palm Sunday and the focus of our worship will be remembering and giving thanks to God for the love He demonstrated through offering Christ to die for our sins.  As part of our worship, we will partake of the Lord's Supper or Last Supper, remembering the meal Jesus shared with the disciples just prior to his death. It is always a special time of worship, but even more so on the occasion of Palm Sunday. I hope you will plan on being in worship this Sunday.
Please remember our worship begins at 10:45 each Sunday!  If you miss those first 15 minutes, you miss hearing some important announcements and incredible music.     

EASTER IS COMING SOON!

Easter is only a few weeks away.  Easter, like many of our special Christian holidays, has unfortunately been reduced by some to be nothing more than a day for chocolate bunnies, colored eggs and green cellophane grass.  No, I'm  not one of those suggesting we remove all these "extra" components of the season.  They can add a sense of fun and excitement, especially for children.  My hope is not to remove any of these, but to reclaim and put at the forefront what matters most about the event we call Easter.  Let's remember what Easter really is!

EASTER IS...

Azaleas exploding in blooms of red, purple and pink...

BUT...blossoms whither and die!

Dogwoods lining the streets of Duluth with beauty and splendor...

BUT...dogwoods soon surrender their pedals to the wind!

Colored eggs and chocolate bunnies...

BUT...they are soon devoured and forgotten!

Fancy dresses in pastel colors...

BUT...they become worn out and frayed with age!

Baskets and green cellophane grass...

BUT...soon they become empty with nothing to show.

Family gatherings in the backyard filled with smiles and laughter...

BUT...then everyone goes their own way.

Jelly beans, marshmallow chicks and candy surprises...

BUT...by the end of the day they are mostly forgotten.

Proclaiming that Jesus Christ rose from the dead...

BUT...BUT NOTHING!  HE IS ALIVE FOREVERMORE!  WHILE EVERHTHING ELSE MAY FADE AWAY, CHRIST ENDURES!

THAT...IS WHAT EASTER IS ABOUT!            

YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS!

Attention men.  Regardless of what you may have planned for this weekend, particularly for Friday night...I would strongly urge you to change your plans in order to be at the church for this immensely important  experience.  Your family needs and deserves the very BEST from you.  This film will dramatically and powerfully call you to step up and be the Man of God you are created to be!  If you love your wife and kids; if you want to be the husband and father they deserve, I URGE you to adjust your plans to be with us this Friday, March 8th at 6:30 pm.  If you have teenage or older sons, bring them with you! 

We will have FREE BBQ pork and chicken with all the "fixins!!  We will be led in a time of powerful worship with our Praise Band!  We will view the film "Courageous" and then return to our families.  

We want to provide food for everyone who attends so we are asking that you do us a favor by registering for this event.  You can register online by going to courageoussumc@gmail.com or calling the Courageous Hotline at 678-389-7300
There is NO COST and NO COMMITMENT being asked of you!  We just want you to experience the important message of this film and the impact it can have on you and your family.

Wives, could I ask you help?  We men really do listen to you and honor your suggestions.  If your husband needs a little encouragement to attend, I hope you will let him know how much his participation would mean to you.  If he needs more information or has questions, tell him to call me directly!  I will be glad to tell him first hand why I have chosen to attend and why I believe he should as well.

 Stuart


 

Two events this coming week will focus on the importance of the family.  Our worship on Sunday will highlight the next "core value" of the Christian life which is Family Priority.  Let me share a quote from the study guide.  "The most important lessons we learn in life are learned through our families, and the most important lessons that we teach in life are to our children.  The lessons learned at home are taken with us into our communities and the world.  Without question, the greatest gift we can give one another in our families is our love."  Aside from our relationship with God, nothing should take precedence over loving, nurturing and caring for our family.  Unfortunately, some of us in the church do no better than the rest of the world in understanding this.  We'll give ourselves some things to think about this Sunday as we seek to make family a greater priority in our lives.

The other event is the much anticipated Courageous Men's Rally and BBQ on Friday, March 8th at 6:30!  I have never seen a film impact men more deeply than "Courageous."  This film will grab your heart and remind you of your responsibility to love and serve your wife and children.  Those men who wish to do so, can sign up to attend a follow-up Bible Study, though this is not expected of the evening.  The event, including the meal is totally FREE, but we need you to register to help in our planning.  To register, either go the the church website (www.sugarloaf.org) or call 678-684-6000.  

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday.  

Stuart

I hope all of you are having a great day.  This coming Sunday we will continue our series on being "Christian to the Core."  This Sunday's topic has to do with Multiplication of Disciples.  When you and I invite someone to Church or share our faith with them, sometimes God uses those experiences to transform a seeker into a believer.  Knowing that you were instrumental in leading a person to Christ is a great feeling.  But what happens next?  What you have is a new-born Christian.  They love God and want to grow, but that usually happens best with the help of more mature Christians.
Who will teach the new believer the practice of prayer?  How will they know what it means to be a servant of Christ?  Who will teach them the importance of giving to God?  How will they know how Christians are to treat others?  Now that they have come to Christ, they need to be DISCIPLED.  Rather than having to learn all this on their own, they are more likely to mature in their faith when they have others teaching, mentoring and coaching them.  This is what it means to make disciples.
Who discipled you?  Who are you discipling?  Who are you investing your time and Christian faith in to help them grow?  We'll be talking about the importance of making disciples in this week's worship.

Stuart

PLEASE TAKE THE STAND...

 

Do you recognize one of these?  Have you ever had to sit in one of these?  This is a Witness Chair and is a vitally important part of a court room trial.  I've never been in one of these, but I suspect it can be pretty intimidating.  Whether or not you have sat in a witness chair, you and I are called to be "witnesses" of the most important truth the world has ever known.  In Acts 1:8, Jesus says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  Each and everyday we are called to the "Witness Stand" to tell others about the goodness and glory of God!

But just like taking the witness chair in a trial, that can be pretty daunting, especially if we feel ill-prepared to do so.  This Sunday we will be talking about how to effectively serve as a Witness for Christ.  I hope you will plan on being in worship as we discuss ways to fulfill this important role in our lives as Christians.

On another note...

Did you see and hear our children in last  week's worship?  What an amazing site that was to see the stage nearly filled with smiling, happy faces of little ones.  What was almost as interesting was watching some of the adults dance to some of the moves in the songs!  Funny!  Thanks Tony, Stephanie and Crew for the way you are leading our children in worship every Sunday.  It was great to share that experience with them this past week!

Stuart

 

Last week we began our study on the things which describe the heart and life of a Christian.  "Christian to the Core" examines 8 values which are to be evident in each of us a Christ Followers.  Last Sunday we examined what it means to have an "Intimate Relationship With God."  We discussed going "deeper" in our spiritual lives and moving toward maturity in our walk with God. I hope you will plan on  being with us this Sunday as we think about what it means to have a passion for the people in our lives and around the world who do not yet know Christ.  

Don't forget that an important component of our study is what happens in our Sunday School Classes and Grow Groups.  Each week you will have an opportunity to discuss the various topics with others and learn from each other's insights and experiences.  I would remind you that if you are not currently in one of our classes or small groups, we have planned a special Christian to the Core Class which meets on Sundays at 9:30 am in the Town Hall Room.  

Stuart

 

 

Last Sunday I shared with you two words that I believe are God's instructions for us as a church at this moment in our life.  The two words were SHARE and SERVE.  Now, more than every, we need to pour ourselves into sharing our faith with others and serving the needs of others in our community.  As we give ourselves increasingly to these two efforts, God will be honored and I truly believe he will bless us with a growing and flourishing congregation.

As to the need to share our faith with others, I asked you to do three things this week. First, PRAY for someone you know does not have a relationship with Christ or who is apart from meaningful involvement in a church.  Second, INVITE them to worship with you at Sugarloaf in the next few weeks.  Third, LOVE them when they come and make them feel welcomed!

Would you like me to help you in this endeavor?  If you think it would be appropriate, send me their name and contact information and I will reach out to them myself.  If you want me to join you in praying for them, send me their name and I will set aside time each day to pray for them as well.  Nothing you can do for a friend or family member will have more eternal significance than helping lead them to a place of knowing and receiving God's love through Jesus Christ.  I can't wait to see how God blesses our efforts in this area!  We'l focus on the need to SERVE next week!

Stuart   

These are very important times at Sugarloaf!  There is a new sense of enthusiasm, hopefulness and vision for the future which is building among us.  God has been with us "in the wilderness" and we are nearing the new, next stage of our life as a church family.  As I reflect on the things most crucial for us to be doing right now, I feel drawn to two practices which we need to passionately pour ourselves into NOW!  I will be sharing these two practices over the next two Sundays in worship.  Here they are:  Now...More than ever...we need to SHARE our faith with others!  Now...more than ever...we need to SERVE our community.  
The book of Acts tells us that after the Lord's departure into heaven, God "added daily to the church those that were being saved."  As the small body of faithful believers told their friends and others about Jesus, more and more experienced the truth of Christ and gave their lives to following him.  This happened not only because they told others of Christ, but they began to reach out and serve others in the name of Christ.  Sharing and Serving have been, and always will be, a proven strategy of growing God's kingdom by growing His church.  I hope you will join me the next two Sundays as we set out to do both in even more and intentional ways beginning NOW!

Stuart