SHORT-DEADLINE EVENTS
FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 14 TO MAY 20, 2008
FEATURE ARTICLES:
Encouragement in the Area of Membership
On Saturday, May 10, four members of our church’s confirmation class, along with one mom and our two pastors, lost themselves in the sea of humanity that all but filled the floor level of the sanctuary of Philadelphia’s St. George’s United Methodist Church. The occasion was a special event – only the second such venture for St. George’s – called “Time Traveler.” The purpose was to engage confirmation students by bringing the history of Methodism, as well as St. George’s, alive for the mostly 6th-through-8th grade students preparing for membership as the newest generation of United Methodists.
While everyone was still in the sanctuary, and after senior pastor Alfred “Fred” Day greeted the gathering, a “visitor from the past” hastily entered, apologizing for being late due to problems with his horse. Dressed in period costume, the actor (calling himself by the fictitious name of Simon Blessing) recounted a brief history of our denomination, ending with a prayer. However, the prayer was interrupted by a ruckus in the balcony. Pastor Day (now playing the part of an 18th-century St. George’s usher) was insisting that a black worshiper move to his “proper” place immediately. The black man (playing the part of Absalom Jones) asked to be allowed to finish praying, but the usher insisted that he move that instant. The black man, along with another black worshiper (playing the part of Richard Allen) exited, taking a designated group of confirmation students with them. The students were taken to a classroom where they learned the rest of the story behind the founding of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME).
Tours of the church’s museum, a “scavenger hunt” throughout the building, and an introduction to some of the more popular hymns in our Hymnal rounded out a marvelous morning of learning for the students, representing about 15 churches in Eastern PA, Delaware, and Southern NJ.
We hear from time to time about the diminishing membership of the United Methodist Church. Last week’s “Pastor’s Blog” discussed the encouraging news behind the growing number of constituents, which helps to offset somewhat the distressing reports regarding our shrinking membership.
But seeing so many youth at St. George’s UMC last Saturday was yet another indication that our Church is not dead yet.
-- K. R. Kraft
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK:
CONFIRMATION SUNDAY is May 18, 9:15 AM. As we receive the four members of our confirmation class, we will also be receiving two adults on profession of faith, including one baptism. This is always a highlight in the life of any church, and we hope that many will attend in order to welcome our newest church members.
LOOKING AHEAD:
KRAFT'S FAREWELL EVENING -- Tickets are now available for dinner, Sunday, June 22, 5:30PM. Cost is $2.00 per person, maximum $10.00 per family. See any committee member in McConnell Hall after the 9:15AM service this Sunday. Last day for the purchase of tickets is June 15.
Weekly Scripture Readings: The Year of the Bible 2008!
The weekly scripture readings that appear in the Sunday bulletin will be posted here in order to make them available to those who miss church, lose or forget their bulletins, etc. We appreciate the interest shown in desiring to keep current with the daily Word. This week’s readings are:
May 11 OT Reading – 1 Samuel 18.6-19.24
NT Reading – Luke 7.36-50
12 OT Reading – 1 Samuel 20.1-21.15
NT Reading – Luke 8.1-18
13 OT Reading – 1 Samuel 22.1-23.29
NT Reading – Luke 8.19-39
14 OT Reading – 1 Samuel 24.1-25.44
NT Reading – Luke 8.40-56
15 OT Reading – 1 Samuel 26.1-28.25
NT Reading – Luke 9.1-17
16 OT Reading – 1 Samuel 29.1-31.13,
1Chronicles 10.1-14
NT Reading – Luke 9.18-36
17 OT Reading – 1 Chronicles 1.1-2.41
NT Reading – Luke 9.37-56