Celebrating Independence Day

The worship service on Sunday, July 7th, included a celebration of Independence Day. A trio started with The Star Spangled Banner and Fisher lead the congregation in the Pledge to Allegiance. The choir sang If My People Will Pray and shared the following prayer:

Our Heavenly Father, King of Kings, and Lord of all the earth,

As we celebrated our nation's independence day this week, we were reminded that Thomas Jefferson once said: "God who gave us life gave us liberty." We would like to thank you for our bountiful nation and for our freedoms that allow us to live in abundance as one nation under God.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as his own inheritance. Psalms 33:12

Father, we thank you for our lives and commitment to those who have served and are still serving our country in the military. We ask you to  bless their families. May we never fail to remember these service men and women who have sacrificed for our country's freedom. As we celebrate our nation's independence, let us remember that we are dependent on You for everything in our lives and that You are good and holy and will provide all we truly need if only we will trust You. Remind us what true freedom is and that You and Your Son are the only source. Give us humble hearts and make us eager to know You. Help us to remember that the United States of America was established as a covenant Christian nation and that Christians uniting in Christ is our nation's source of unity. As George Washington, our nation's first president, once said: "It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor."

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

We would also like to pray for this great nation's leaders. May they remember the legacy of faith in You that has passed down from our founding fathers. As Patrick Henry, an early American leader, once said: "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ." Remind our leaders today that the only independence of value is the freedom gained when we trust You for spiritual and physical independence through Jesus Christ.

In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and He answered by setting me free. Psalms 118:5

George Washington once prayed: "Oh, eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb and purge my heart by Thy Holy Spirit. Daily, frame me more and more in the likeness of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, that living in Thy fear, and dying in Thy favor, I may in Thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy Son, Jesus Christ."

God Bless America.

Heavenly Father, we ask you forgive the sins of this nation and bring us back to Your path of true freedom. In Jesus' name we humbly pray.  Amen

Sermon title:  Are We Respecting God's Institutions?
Scriptures: Deuteronomy 6:1-25 & Matthew 22:15-22
Sermon Points:

God honors order!

(Deuteronomy 6:1-25)

*It is through order that God established His institutions

The institutions that God ordains in His Word:

1. Home (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
2. Government (Matthew 22:15-22)
3. Church (The Gospels and Book of Acts)

When these three institutions have their rightful place in our lives, there is order. In this state, we can be free of conflict. But, when an institution oversteps its boundary, loyalty to God comes first. May we each understand our responsibility to God as we live and function in the land of freedom!

Centennial Celebration

On May 5, 2013 Mount Hebron Wesleyan Church celebrated 100 years.

The day was filled with family and friends. Over 200 people joined us that day to enjoy a worship service that included music by the Cockman Family, testimonials and reflections from the congregation, guest speaker Mr. Cockman, and special gifts to families of founding members. Afterwards, we shared a wonderful meal and time of fellowship.

The special day was a result of months of work by the anniversary committee: Wanda Pool, Faye Burgin, Ann King, Rebecca Knupp, Candie McPherson, Brenda Parks, Barbara Walker and Helen Walker. Thank you.

                  
As part of the day, the History of Mount Hebron Wesleyan Church was compiled into a book (available here). You can also access the pictures from the day here.

Christmas Programs

We are excited about the events taking place in celebration of Christmas. On Sunday morning at 10am, December 16th, the choir will be presenting the cantata "Silent Night! Holy Night!" during morning worship.

That evening at 6pm, the youth will be presenting the puppet program "Mary Had a Little Lamb." The program presents the truths of Christmas from the animals' point of view. Come hear from "Tiny", a small spotted lamb who wonders what is so important about being 'unspotted' and learns about the beginning of a larger plan to provide salvation.

We hope you can join us and Merry Christmas.

Treasury of Devotion, 1869

O Eternal Father, help me, I beseech Thee, to bring forth in my life the fruits of the Spirit; the fruit of Love, that I may love Thee above all things, and all others in Thee and for Thy sake; the fruit of Joy, that I may find Thy service my delight; the fruit of Peace, that, pardoned and accepted through Thy mercy, I may repose in Thy love; the fruit of Long-suffering, that I may bear, with patient submission to Thy will, all crosses and afflictions; the fruit of Gentleness, that I may subdue all risings of temper, and take calmly and sweetly all trials and provocations; the fruit of Meekness, that I may forgive freely all who may hurt me either by word or deed, and endure with patience all that may be laid upon me; the fruit of Temperance that I may restrain all my desires, bringing them into subjection in all things to Thy holy will - Amen

devotion submitted by Shirley Arrowood

Do We Need a New Fishing Hole?

Luke 5:4-7

⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”  ⁵ “Master,” Simon (Peter) replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” ⁶ And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! ⁷ A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

The disciples fished all night and caught nothing.  They were tired and frustrated.  Have you ever been tired and frustrated after you tried everything you knew to do and nothing worked.  That is how the disciples felt.  They were tired of fishing and not catching anything. 

Then, Jesus told them to go out deeper, fish in a different place.  Jesus wanted them to go in deeper waters.  Deeper water is scarier.  Is God telling you to do something that is scaring you? We may not feel like we can into deeper water.  We may think we can barely keep our head above water where we are.

So although they had fished all night and were tired & hungry, Peter was willing to try again just because Jesus said to.  Peter said, “if you say so…we’ll try again”.  They trusted Jesus and went into deeper waters.  Deeper water - where they didn’t feel so safe, deeper water - where they had to trust God. 

Can we say, "If you say to do it, I will do it."?  The result for the disciples was the blessing and reward was so great they had to call for help, and both were on the verge of sinking.  Moving to the deeper water not only blessed the disciples, other fishermen got in on the blessing! 

Who else could you bless if you move to a deeper fishing hole??  Is God directing you to a deeper fishing hole??

devotion provided by Freddie Killough

Easter Services

We welcome you to celebrate with us our Risen Lord and Savior on Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012.

• Sunrise Service @ 7:30 am
• Breakfast @ 8:00 am
• Worship @ 9:30 am

This day will include communion, singing, a message, and the "Decorating of the Cross."

A Lesson from McGregor

This is Mr. McGregor. Last November we adopted two dogs. When they arrived home, they both jumped out of the truck. As Maude ran to me eager to be petted, McGregor took off running. We chased him and tried repeatedly to catch him with no success. People from the church spotted him 1/2 mile down the road and tried to help us get him. Yet, he eluded us.

McGregor eventually came home and took up residence in the dog house. He eats from the feeder on the porch and hangs around the house. When we let Maude out, he is there ready to play. When we take Maude for a walk, McGregor is always a step or two behind us, staying with us the entire way. When the walk is over he comes onto the porch waiting for a treat. He is interested in being part of our family yet has not committed himself to accepting our love and affection.

One night as I was walking Maude it dawned on me how often we act like McGregor. God so wants to show us His love and yet we hold back. We get close but hesitate to get too close. God's love has been made known to us and now He stands at the door and knocks. It's up to every individual to either pursue a personal relationship with God or else reject Him outright. The only barrier between us and God's love is our own freewill and Jesus Christ is the door. In John 14:6, Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

I hope for the day when McGregor will let me pet him and he walks through the open door to enjoy fellowship with our family. As we wait patiently for McGregor I can only think that God also waits for us to join Him. He wants us to fellowship with Him and commit to being part of His family.

devotion provided by Karen McPherson