The Grove Connection

Volume 22 July 2015 Issue 7

The Pastor’s Pen

Rev. Jim White

It’s shortly after 7 on Monday morning and my thoughts are reeling. I am grateful for a blessed Sunday with two great worship services, afternoon rest and time to close the day studying God’s Word with fellow disciples. But this morning, my thoughts turn to the Supreme Court decision about marriage which came down this past Friday. I must confess I was not shocked or surprised like the many folks who have chosen to air their frustration and righteous anger on social media. The world didn’t change in a day. It’s been this way for some time. Truth is we haven’t lived in a “Christian nation” for quite some time. I’m not sure we ever did. Just because the Ten Commandments were posted on the walls of our courtrooms didn’t mean society obeyed them. Just because our money says “In God We Trust” doesn’t make it so. I find it hard to get angry about one decision from a courtroom when it merely symbolizes a malady we have suffered for years.

That being said, I still strongly believe Christians must respond to this decision with action. The action you are led to take as a disciple of Jesus must be forged by your own prayers. I can only tell you what I am being led to do. The conviction that serves as the foundation for my intended action is this: Marriage is not primarily about self-fulfillment. It’s about honoring God. It’s God’s idea, part of the fabric of God’s creation. When I preside over a wedding I do not implore the bride and groom to honor themselves, I challenge them to honor God.

This leads me to a course of action that might surprise you, but I believe it is the best one. My challenge to you as a body of believers is this: To those of us who are married, the most powerful witness we can make to the world is to love our spouses with the love of Christ, to invite Him into our marriages as Lord. Disciples of Jesus are supposed to honor God with our marriages just like we’re supposed to honor God with all our lives. We recommitted ourselves to those values yesterday in worship when a new disciple joined the Body of Christ. Those stewardship vows embody what it means to serve Christ as Lord. Christ’s lordship means he sets the parameters, he draws the boundaries. God’s Word is our authority. If Christian marriages stood apart from those of the world by virtue of our commitment to God’s value system, I believe we’d have a much more solid place to stand as we bear witness to God’s design for marriage.

For those disciples who are single: Christ’s lordship should set your boundaries as well. Seek to glorify God through your relationships. If you’re looking for a marriage partner, seek to honor God in the search. Trust God with this part of your life as you would with any other. The foundational conviction is the same for both married and single people: Human life is not nearly as much about self fulfilment as it is about honoring and glorifying God. When we succeed at honoring God through our obedience and trust, when that honor becomes obvious to others by the way we love our neighbor, including our spouses, the world will have a holy example to follow. And guess what? God will take care of granting fulfillment and purpose to your life in the process!

So I choose not to rant over an inevitable court decision. Instead, I choose to humbly demonstrate to the world what a human life looks like when it’s lived under the lordship of Jesus. If enough of us will do that, God’s Kingdom will come on earth. Remember, the battle is the Lord’s, not ours. Our most powerful witness is a life which clearly defines for the world what his lordship looks like when it takes its proper place at the forefront of who we are.

In Service to our King,

JimSunday Services

8:30 AM Early Worship10:00 AM Sunday School11:00 AM Worship Service

G-FORCEGod’s Love in Action

Ages: 3 Years Old –Rising 7th Grades

Time: 5:30 PM Meal6:15 – 8:15 PM VBS

Drop-Off:

There will be Drop-Off and Pick-Up for children so parents won’t need to park and come in

VBS Will announce at VBS

July 5th – July 10th

Mission Project:

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Calendar of Events for July 2015…Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 46:00 – 8:00 PM

YouthJuly 4th Holiday

5 6 7 8 9 10 11Roatan Sunday

5:30 PMMeal

6:15 – 8:15 PMVBS

5:30 PMMeal

6:15 – 8:15 PMVBS

11:30 AMSenior

Luncheon

5:30 PMMeal

6:15 – 8:15 PMVBS

6:00 – 8:00 PMYouth

5:30 PMMeal

6:15 – 8:15 PMVBS

5:30 PMMeal

6:15 – 8:15 PMVBS

5:30 PMMeal

6:15 – 8:15 PMVBS

10:00 AMPrayer Shawl

Ministry

12 13 14 15 16 17 186:00 PM

Disciple I

6:00 PMDisciple II

Carolina CrossConnection

Carolina CrossConnection

7:00 PMWhitley Benefit

Meeting

Carolina CrossConnection

Carolina CrossConnection

Carolina CrossConnection

Carolina CrossConnection

8:00 AMRugged Cross Brotherhood

TBAYouth “Welcome Back” Cookout

19 20 21 22 23 24 25Disciple II Sunday

6:00 PMDisciple I

6:00 PMDisciple II

7:00 PMWhitley Benefit

Meeting

6:00 – 8:00 PMYouth

26 27 28 29 30 313:00 PM

CCC Celebrationin Kannapolis

6:00 PMDisciple I

6:00 PMDisciple II

7:00 PMWhitley Benefit

Meeting

6:00 – 8:00 PMYouth

Jim, Nancy, and Joshua White

will be on vacation

July 20th – 26th

July Nursery Workers…Date Nursery Children’s Church Please contact Beverly PlummerJuly 5 Ali Smith Nancy White If you can help in any way.July 12 Jessica Little Crystal Wages It takes everyone taking their turnJuly 19 Becky Whitley Pat VanHoose to help to make these ministriesJuly 26 Robin Morgan Carrie Whitley work. Thank you!

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July Text and Topics… Solid Wisdom for a Shaky World: Exploring Proverbs

July 5

RoatanMissionsTeam

Roatan SundayCome and hear the story of how God used the people of Love's Grove to change the lives of the people of Coxen Hole, Roatan. We worked in a community called "The Swamp." We also spent one day going house to house in the community of Brick Bay distributing water filters and praying for each family we visited. Several folks will be sharing about how God is changing their lives as a result of this trip.

July 12

Proverbs 3:27-35

The Five "No's" of Being a Good Neighbor: Part 2This week we’ll take up where we left off in Proverbs 3:27-35. Reminding ourselves why the wise teacher chooses to put these directives in the negative. The simple truth is our fallen nature necessitates these prohibitions. Just as it did when our parents used the negative in their discipline of us as children, “No!” means we are to listen. God’s truth means business. His directives aren’t up for debate or negotiation. Allowing our relationships with neighbors to be ruled by selfishness, malice and violence brings disaster upon us. Look for wisdom’s counsel here as we seek to live in peace with our neighbor.

July 19

Proverbs 4:1-9

Generational WisdomIf you’re like me, you have fond memories of your grandparents. My grandfathers on both sides of the family taught me some things I will cherish forever. They also taught lessons to my father which he passed on to me. I, in turn, will pass them on to my son. Generational wisdom is today’s topic. It’s essential that we bear witness to our children about the importance of God’s truth. It’s the only solid place we can stand. Today we will look to God’s Word to establish what his truth looks like, and build a grid to serve as a filter. Filters sift out the impurities from many things. Today we’ll use this text to filter out what’s truth and what’s not. The key to passing down solid generational wisdom is always the same: the ultimate authority is God’s truth. Is the wisdom we teach from God or from man? The wise teacher of Proverbs helps us discern the difference.

July 26 Jim and Nancy will be on renewal leave this week, and Lay Leader Yvonne Crump will be delivering a crucial message on how temptation seeks to distract us at our weakest, most vulnerable spots. God is working to give Yvonne a crucial word of truth for our walk with Christ. Followers of Jesus are not exempt from temptation. If anything, they are subject even more to its snares. Please make it a priority to be here on this special Sunday when Yvonne shares the Word with us at both services.

2015 Homecoming and Revival“Coming Together to Change the World”

We’re making big plans and need your help. We need each group in the church to make a “presentation board” telling about your ministry (Missions, Classes, UMW, Building Teams, UMYF, Rainbow, etc.) We want to show everyone how they can be involved in doing God’s Kingdom work. Display Boards will be set up for everyone to see during lunch on Sunday, August 9th, and during the week.

This year we will be having ONE SERVICE ONLY at 10:00 AM on Sunday, August 9th. NO Sunday School. Following the service at 11:30 AM we will have lunch in the Family Life Center provided by the church !

Homecoming and Revival Speakers:

Sunday 10:00 AM Rev. R. L. Icard, Executive DirectorFoothills Service Project, Valdese, NC

Sunday 7:00 PM Rev. James YowMonday 7:00 PM Rev. Mike BurrisTuesday 7:00 PM TBAWednesday 7:00 PM Rev. Mike Carr

Rainbow Group OutingDan Nicholas Park

Saturday, July 11th

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

* Invitation is open to ALL children 3 – 12 years* Lunch and snacks provided

* Each child needs to bring swimsuit,Sunscreen, and a towel

* Parents are welcome and urged to attend!!

RSVP to Wendy Harwood at 980-621-9178so she can have a head count for the meal and snacks

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Our Support Through Prayer… (Names are listed alphabetically)

Church Family

Austin BarnhardtLouise BlackwelderTrish CurleeJerry EfirdJewell EfirdCarolyn EudyMike GheeslingC. J. HinsonJane LayokDebbie LepperBetty L. McCoyDee McCoyLewis McCoySarah McCoySharri McMillianLouise PolkAnita SedberryJane SimpsonBob TaylorRhonda WhitleyShirley WhitleyJulia WilsonStephanie YarbroughClayton YowHelen YowVan Yow

Friends

Angie BarbeeDana BarbeeVicki BarrettTommy BlackTom BranchElbon ConderJeff CrumpWyatt DabbsJason DoyleJeanette EdwardsGerald EfirdLindsey EfirdRobby and Angie FinkDon FreyNancy FurrDon HarkeyRobert HeberlingScott HinsonMary HudecekDelaine HuneycuttClint KikerFreddie KikerAvery LoveRylie LytleLydia MitchellJoyce MortonKeith MortonDoris MullisBarbi OrtzPeggy OutenThom OutenJohn PietrasVictor SmithJimmy TyreeDanny Watts

Friends

Danny WattsDebbi WhiteBrenda WindhamFrenchie YowGene YowJohn Yow, Jr.Junior Yow

Families Of

Brenda BostJeff BrownSteve BrownBentley DennisHerbie FurrCaleb HartsellLarry HillJean HinsonJeanette HinsonBetty HoranBetty JusticeJody LittlePerry PlummerRichard ShumateJoAnn Traylor

Assisted Living / Retirement

Community / Rehabilitation

Stowe BrooksMartha DavisJudy MurrillJohnnie Thompson

Military Service

Josh BarbeeAshley ClarkScottie ClarkWill GriffinJosh HeterCaleb McCoyVan McCoyJacob RandolphMatt RevelsJohn Yanochick

Please keep the church office notified of any

updates for the list. Thank you!

Wednesdays6:00 - 8:00 PM

Kathy McCoy, Directorlovesgroveyouth@outlook.com

Carolina Cross ConnectionJuly 12th – July 18th

Please drop them a note and keep them in your prayers as they do mission projects for families in need. Cards are on the narthex table or you can send it to:

Carolina Cross Connection(write in campers name)

PO Box 1292Millers Creek, NC 28651

There will be a “Welcome Back Cookout” on Saturday, July 18th. Please contact Carrie Whitley to sign up to bring a dish or help grill hot dogs. Come out and support our youth!

There will be a CCC Celebration in Kannapolis on Sunday, July 26th. They will plan to leave the church at 3:00 PM.

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Honorariums and Memorials… (May 17th – June 14th)

In Honor Of… Designation… Given By…

Gene and Jewell Efird’s 70th Anniversary Building Delette EudyBob and Maggie Taylor Building Richard, Kim, and John Henry HammettConfirmation Class General Dell Whitley FamilyHigh School Graduates General Dell Whitley FamilyBetty L. McCoy’s Birthday General Nancy, Scott, and CarterTerry and Beverly Plummer General Fred and Shelby Long

In Memory Of… Designation… Given By…

Hazel and Bryte Efird Building Delette EudyJean Hinson Building Fred and Shelby LongHarvey Martin Building Doris MartinClinton Polk Building Delette EudyClinton Polk Building Randy and Dee McCoyLela Yow Building Bill and Paulette KikerHazel Efird Cemetery H. D. and Janice EfirdJean Hinson General Dell Whitley FamilyJean Hinson General Robert and Peggy LongTamera Jean Meggs’ Birthday General MomaPerry Plummer General Robert and Peggy LongEthel Bostic Missions Richard and Frances MullisHazel Smith Missions Clayton and Helen YowLenwood Vinson Missions Golden Rule Class

Benefit for Rhonda Whitley

Rhonda is a lifetime member of Love’s Grove.Over the past 8 years she has been battling cancer and other health issues.

Love’s Grove in sponsoring this benefit to help Rhonda and her family with her ongoing medical expenses.

Friday – August 28, 201511:00 AM – 7:00 PM

$9.00 Donation½ BBQ Chicken, Slaw, Bread, Chips, and Cake

Cooking provided by the Christian Cooking Convoy

Take-Out (drive thru) and Delivery

For ticket information or to volunteer to help please contact the church office at704-888-4643 (7:30 AM – 11:30 AM) or at whitleybenefit@gmail.com

Donations can be mailed to: Love’s Grove UMC, Whitley Benefit, PO Box 276, Stanfield, NC 28163

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Opportunities to Serve and Grow at Love’s Grove…

Administrative NewsContact: Donna Jenkins

Scrip Cards are ordered the 1st Sunday each month. Order forms on the narthex table. Complete list of vendors available. New cards have been added!! Benefits Building Fund.Facilities Rentals: Contact church office for information and to make payments.Prayer Request Updates: Please notify church office with any additions/deletions.Church Directory: Please notify church office with any additions/deletions to your listing. Sent out twice a year. Can also be downloaded on smartphones and tablets.

Community Night Meal andAdult Bible Studies

Meal is at 6:00 PM on Wednesday. (Will resume in September)

Meets at 7:00 PM on Wednesday. (Will resume in September)

Chancel Choir Meets at 7:30 PM on Monday. Led by Myrtis Efird, the choir performs a special music at Easter and a cantata at Christmas. They are always welcoming new voices. If you are interested please come join them. (Will resume in the Fall)

Rugged Cross BrotherhoodContact: John McCoy

Meets at 8:00 AM on the 1st and 3rd Saturday at Bojangle’s in Locust. A group of men who do service projects and other activities for people in the community. All men are invited to participate.

Christian Resource Center Contact: Bonnie Randolph

Located on the hallway to the Family Life Center. Great resources for Sunday School classes and other groups are available for your use! Individuals can also check out books.

Prayer Shawl MinistryContact: Jean Barnes

Meets at 10:00 AM on 2nd Saturday. If you don’t know how to crochet or knit… they will teach you! You are also welcome to come and just enjoy the fellowship. They meet in the Fellowship Hall.

Rainbow Group3 Years – 5th GradeContacts: Wendy Harwood April Peed

Meets at 7:00 PM on Wednesday. (Will resume in September)They will have activities throughout the year. Watch for dates and information.

Stephen MinistryContacts: Betty Martin

Jean Barnes Connie Kilpatrick Rev. White

…after the phone call you hoped you’d never get ...after the divorce papers are served and the bottom falls out of your life …after the doctor says, I’m sorry, but there is nothing more we can do …after you find a pink slip with your final paycheck. They are ready to come alongside you and provide comfort and support for as long as needed. Contact a leader for more information.

Youth 6th Grade – 12th GradeContacts: Kathy McCoy Jimmy Thompson

Meets at 7:00 PM on Wednesday in the Basement. (Meets 6:00 – 8:00 PM during June, July, and August.)They have several fundraisers during the year to help raise money for their summer mission trip to Carolina Cross Connection. They have other activities they do to help in the community.

United Methodist WomenContact: Diane Yow

Meets at 7:00 PM on 3rd Tuesday. (Will resume in September)The UMW have a store located in the hallway between the Sunday School classes in the Fellowship Hall, that is stocked with flavoring, cards, knives, etc. that are available for purchase. Proceeds from sale of these items are used to fund their mission projects.

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Angels of Kindness or Other Thoughts…

My Thoughts on Vacations

I’m against them. Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for not working, and puttering, and walking around the house aimlessly while claiming your meditating on some spiritual truth. But I’m not for going on vacation, or at least the preparations necessary for going on vacation.

My son recently went to Florida with his senior class—one last group bonding opportunity and a time to start getting ready to say good-bye to a major part of his life. Since he was traveling, my wife thought it highly unfair that we weren’t going somewhere. She spent days looking for destinations and found a wonderful Groupon deal for a cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains.

If I were single, I would simply toss a few pairs of jeans into a bag, a few socks, and be on my way. I’m sure they have food down there. I’m sure they have supermarkets and restaurants and take-out places. No one would starve—least of all me.

But now … well, the Normandy invasion might have involved less planning. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law are joining us at the cabin. There has been a near-constant stream of e-mails and texts over who is bring what foodstuff and how we might preserve our perishables on the nine-hour drive.

And my wife has extensive checklists for what to bring, tailored to the expected weather, meticulously composed after studying and examining the average temperatures predicted for our stay: long shirts, pullovers, rain gear, a separate bag for shoes…and shorts and T-shirts and sunscreen and sunglasses.

It is hart now to be pulled into the frenzy. Complicating the process is the fact that we are driving. That means we can gleefully overpack. So I’m considering bringing things like my old birding books and my binoculars—If I’m birding, I’ll need these—and my adjustable walking stick that I got for a birthday present 15 years ago—we’ll be in a great place for hiking.

Here’s the truth of the matter: It is so, so easy to get caught up in the furor of taking and packing and planning and organizing that the real reason one goes on vacation—to rest and relax and recharge—is all but obliterated by the frazzled activity beforehand.

Don’t let that happen to you. Slow down, pack light, worry less, and enjoy more. You can’t appreciate God’s creation if you can’t be in the moment. Put that on your checklist, please.

by Jack Kraus, PublisherTyndall House Publishers

On the Lighter Side...

Music's Importance

I attend a small village church in rural PA. On any given Sunday, we may have six or seven faithful little ones who come with their parents for the whole church service. Pastor has a white bag which gets passed from child to child, making sure they get equal turns to put something in for him to talk about. Each Sunday, Pastor calls all the little children up to him and he opens the bag to find a "surprise" on which he bases his children's sermon. Last week, the bag went home with a little guy who spends many hours a week on church related activities. His parents and older brother are very active and so, in turn, is he. When Pastor opened the bag, there was a copy of Handel's Messiah which was very appropriate for Easter Sunday. Pastor and the children had a lively discussion going on about the joy and happiness that music brings to the service. As he closed the little talk, Pastor said, "Yes, music is a wonderful part of our service. What would church be like if there was none?" Without skipping a beat, the little boy who had brought the music said, "About a half an hour!" Needless to say, everyone exploded into laughter which lasted for minutes. Finally, Pastor said, "There is no way I can top that so let's have a little prayer before you return to your seats." (From Laugh & Lift)

“Your acts of kindness are iridescent wings of divine love, which linger and continue to uplift others long after your sharing.”

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-Rumi

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Missions Report… Contact: Terri Martin

Mission Building Team: Next trip TBA. They will be working with Foothills Service Projects to build ramps and make home repairs. They stay at Jim’s house. All you need to bring is pillow, sleeping bag, toiletries, and personal items. All tools and food is provided. Contact James Layok to volunteer.

Clean Water Project: We will continue to raise funds ($4500) to purchase a clean water system for our 2016 Honduras Mission Trip. Make any gifts to Love’s Grove Missions and designate them “Water Project.”

Chicken ‘n Dumpling Supper: Saturday, November 7th, 4:00 – 7:30 PM. Mark your calendars now!

Continuous Community Support: Thank you for all you do as a congregation to help us be a church that reaches beyond its walls and borders with the love of Jesus. Thanks be to God for the privilege we have to serve! Some agencies we partner with through gifts and/or volunteers:

West Stanly Christian Ministries Wings of Caring (Africa)United Methodist Committee on Relief (disaster relief)

Provide financial aid to families in crisis situations

Live Again MinistriesBridge To Recovery – Men’s Home

Foothills Service ProjectMissionaries to Japan: Matt and Jen Daniels

Bridge To Recovery – Women’s Home

Love’s GroveUnited Methodist Church

Post Office Box 2764360 Polk Ford Road

Stanfield, NC 28163-0276

Phone:704.888.4643

Office Hours:Monday – Friday

7:30 AM – 11:30 PM

Pastor:James K. White

pastorjkw@live.com

Office Administrator:Donna Jenkins

lovesgroveumc@live.com

Youth Director:Kathy McCoy

lovesgroveyouth@outlook.com

Website:www.lovesgrove.org

Email:10

lovesgroveumc@live.com

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