August 11, 2015

Previous Happenings:

Vacation Bible School was a success with Jeannie as the leader. Many volunteers helped including a number of youth. The trip to Australia was enjoyable for all who attended. 

Pastor Todd and Becky have enjoyed wonderful times with their family including a beach trip and times at Lake Lure.

Many members have been out and about this summer. Some went to Canada fishing and also got to see some of God's fantastic scenery.

Ongoing Events:

Sunday Mornings: Sunday School at 9:00; Worship at 10:00; Praise Band (Unshakeable) Practice at 4:30; Evening Worship at 6:00; S. W. A. T. (Seeking Wisdom and Truth) Youth at 6:00

Wednesday Evenings: Praise Band Practice at 5:45; S. W. A. T. at 7:00; Bible Study at 7:00

Greta's Sunday School class on "Why I Still Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist" a book by Dr. Frank Turek.

Collecting of Soup Labels for Hephzibah Children's Home. See Brenda for questions and to give your collections.

Upcoming Events:

Youth Yard Sale and Fundraiser will be coming soon. Clean your closets and garages to help yourselves and the Youth. Items may be brought to the Youth Room, upstairs of Fellowship Hall.

For All Ministry Leaders and Sunday School Teachers - Begin planning now for the Fall through Christmas seasons. Dates are already being filled on the calendar. See Pastor Todd with the dates you need and details of your plans.

"Country Craft Day" is tentatively set to be held in Fellowship Hall on November 7, 1pm to 4pm. This fundraiser for the church is to help with construction projects that the Church is planning to do. You are needed to make crafts and Country Cupboard jellies, jams, pickles, etc.. You are also needed to be in charge of a booth; collect your Attic Treasures and God's Country Books.

August 15, Saturday, 10 to Noon, Fellowship Hall - Country Craft Day Workshop - Dyeing silk scarves

August 15, Saturday - S. W. A. T. Hickory Crawdads Baseball game with Concert to follow

August 16, Sunday, 4:30, Fellowship Hall - Local Board of Administration meeting 

August 21, Friday - S. W. A. T. Camp Out at the Parsonage. New Date. You will need your tents and pillows. Then on Saturday, we will be going to Lake Lure swimming.

August 29, Saturday, 10 to Noon, Fellowship Hall - Country Craft Day Workshop - Completing projects needing glue and scissors

August 30, Sunday, During Morning Worship - Back-to-School Sunday to honor our children, youth and teachers as they prepare to go back to school.

July 16, 2015

Events to Remember:

Vacation Church School is coming Wednesday, July 22, to Friday, July 24th, with Commencement Service on Sunday, July 26. Dinner will be at 6PM with activities following. Bring your children, your neighbors' children, and your grandchildren.

Come Alive @8:55 Sunday School Class study in progress is Dr. Frank Turek's book "Why I Still Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist." See Greta

Soup Labels collecting is an ongoing activity for all to help Hephzibah Children's Home. If there are questions, see Brenda

While you are collecting things, search your closets and cupboards for items for the Youth Yard Sale and Fundraiser. Watch for the date of the event to be announced soon.

S.W.A.T. Summer Activities for Youth:

July 19 - "Unshakeable" leading worship

August 15 - Hickory Crawdads Baseball Game with Concert to follow

August 21 - Camp Out at the Parsonage. The next day will be a trip to Lake Lure to swim. Bring tents, pillows, beach items, and $10.

"Country Craft Day" is coming to Mount Hebron Wesleyan Church. The tentative date is November 7, 1pm to 4pm in Fellowship Hall.

The Booths (tables), displaying crafts and more:

Mountain Crafts - handmade items of any type such as bird houses, kitchen hand towels, quilted items, crocheted items, knitted items, wood items, pottery items, etc.

Christmas Gifts - handmade items with Christmas theme such as ornaments, advent calendars, Christmas tree skirts, decorating items, etc.

Country Cupboard - homemade jellies, jams, pickles, etc.

Attic Treasures - small nice second hand items of glass, china, or wood, small tools, decorating items, etc.

God's Country Books - Bibles, study books, inspirational books (ALL TO BE GIVEN OUT AT NO CHARGE).

Country Sweets - desserts to be served with coffee and tea for a monetary donation.

Country Kids - a place where children could make a Christmas ornament while parents are shopping.

Your help is needed NOW in these ways:

1. Volunteer to be in charge of a booth

2. Volunteer to host a workshop to make items for the sale

3. Make items at home for: Mountain Crafts, Christmas Gifts and Country Cupboard.

4. Collect items for: Attic Treasures, and God's Country Books

5. Help with workshop and advertising expenses by giving a donation if you are unable to participate in workshops or in making items for sale.

To Volunteer or help in any way see or call Ann

Summer is almost here. Gardens are growing. School sessions are winding down. Vacations are being planned. And Camps and Vacation Bible School are coming.

Whatever your plans for the summer hopefully God is in the middle of them. 

For Pastor Todd and the Mt. Hebron Wesleyan youth, the camps coming are in their thoughts. Camp Wesley Summer Youth Camp for 12 to 18 year olds will be June 14 to 20. The cost of all meals, accommodations and recreational activities is $85.00. The Kid's Camp for 7 to 11 year olds will be June 11 to 13 with the cost being $40.00. Camp Wesley for others is June 11 to June 21. The main speaker is Reverend Harold Bumby, pastor of High Point's Providence Wesleyan Church. The Worship leader is Scott Bryson, director of Worship Arts for First Wesleyan Church of Kannapolis. On June 16 the Missionary speaker is Reverend Mike Hofer, pastor of Freedom Hill Church in Charlotte. The Camp has trailer hookups available for those with RV's. Meals are available in the Fellowship Center and is open after the evening services for food and fellowship. For information on accommodations and pricing, contact Trent Patterson at 704-437-3060. 

Other Events:

Vacation Bible School, is scheduled for evenings of June 24th to June 26th and Sunday the 28th. To help or have questions please contact Jeannie. Invite children living near you.

District Conference is being held in Hickory from June 22 to 24th. Pastor Todd and Randy Tipton will represent Mt. Hebron.

Come Alive @8:55 Sunday School Class are working  on a book "Why I Still Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist." This is a new study so see Greta to join.

Start accumulating yard sale items as the Youth will have a Yard Sale coming. You may take your donation of "stuff" to the Youth Room upstairs above Fellowship Hall.

"Team Rylie" shirts are available for $10. Wear one to celebrate Rylie's good news and healing. See Pastor Todd or Becky.

Remember to collect soup labels, etc.for Hephzibah Children's Home. See Brenda to learn what to collect and when she wants to send them.

Notes from Sunday Worship, March 22, 2015:

Worship came in different forms this Sunday morning. The overall theme of Faith came from Him Whom we believe in and Whom we seek. First, Karen gave a testimony on her intentional seeking of her Faith. She stated that she is amazed how much her Faith in Jesus has grown because she is seeking His hope for her. She is hoping she will have Faith that amazes Jesus and that she is hoping God keeps His promises just like found in the Bible. Our hope comes from God. She followed her words with a song "Keep Making Me" with its message of asking God to keep helping us to follow Him. Holly then brought her song "What Faith Can Do" which also fit in with Karen's message of seeking Faith and finding it. Pastor Todd's message also spoke about Miracles that come our way. He presented the song "We Won't Be Shaken." Sometimes Miracles come when it  does not add up that they could happen. It is just not humanly possible for there to be a Miracle. BUT with our trust in God, Miracles can happen if we keep our Faith in God. He will do the impossible. For miracles to come: 1. We need to hear His message. 2. We need to seek Jesus. 3. We have to pray regularly. The morning service closed with many prayers being spoken around the Altar and with hands-on support of loved ones. Faith was exhibited in the outpouring of concern and love.

A Note by this blogger:

Hopefully there will now be regular postings for Mount Hebron Weslyan Church. The writer is now home and hopefully the technology grinch will cooperate in the months to come. Spring is coming, Easter is soon to be here, and God's blessings are all around us. Florida does not have Spring come like it does in the mountains. Here it has been lovely to see the spring flowers, blooming trees and the show of greening on the shrubs and trees. 

Announcements:

Mark and his band of workers have cleaned out trees, etc. along the driveway. We thank them that when we come into the back parking lot and Fellowship Hall there is now a nicer open view. 

Wednesday Night Bible Study is continuing on "Living the Christian Life."  The Book of James provided some insight into living one's faith. This is an ongoing study so please plan to attend.

Come Alive @8:55 Sunday School Class Study of the book, "24/6: A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life" begins March 8th. The book will look at the concept of rest and how we need to reclaim it. See Greta to reserve your book for this class.

There is a new list of labels and lids to collect for Hephzibah Children's Home. On April 12, Brenda will be sending your collected items to the Home. Copies of the list are on the vestibule table.

Ongoing Events:

Sunday Nights: S.W.A.T. Praise Band Practice at 5:00
     6:00 Evening Worship
     6:00 S.W.A.T. Meetings

Wednesday Nights: Praise Band Practice at 5:45
     7:00 Bible Study
     7:00 S.W.A.T. Meetings

Upcoming Calendar:

March 29 - Praise Band singing at Night of Worship at First Baptist in Pleasant Gardens
April 2, 7:00 - Community Easter Service at Old Fort Wesleyan. Rev. Johnny Chastain of Old Fort Free Will Baptist will speak
April 4, 4:00 - S.W.A.T. Scavenger Hunt
April 5, 8:00 - Easter Sunrise Service
     8:30 - Breakfast prepared by the men of the Church. Those wanting Breakfast delivered  should contact Pastor Todd or Mark.
     9:30 - Easter Morning Worship
April 10-12 - Camp Wesley REFRESH Weekend
April 19 - District Superintendent, Rev. Jerry Lumston, will be speaking. The Local Board will meet after the service.
April 26 - Church Elections following Morning Worship
May 3 - The beginning of our Homecoming and Spring Revival. Rev. Terry Ivy has accepted our invitation to be the speaker for both. Following Morning Worship there will be a covered dish dinner.
May 16, 2 to 4 - Baby Shower for the baby boy that Adam and Jada are looking forward to joining their family.
May 24, 6:00 - Special Concert by Mr. Joe Collins, well known and accomplished dulcimer player. Following the service will be snacks and drinks. Please bring what you can to share.
June 14-20 - Camp Wesley Summer Youth Camp

Sermon Notes

Pastor Todd

January 18, 2015

"Christ's Most Bold Statement"

Of all the words found in the Bible, John 14:12 has the most bold words, I believe.

Jesus says," . . . anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works . . ."

Jesus is calling us to believe in the impossible!

The Meaning of John 14:12

In most miracles found in the Bible, there is a Human Element. This is where we come into play!

Two Examples:

Joshua 3:8 - The Priests Stepping into the Jordan River

2 Kings 5 - Naaman Dipping himself in the Jordan River

Two Hindrances to God's Miracles

Skepticism - Miracles are NOT Logical!. See John 14:25

Disappointment - Satan's Greatest Tool! see John 20:30-31

The Biblical Proof of God Working through Man

Peter's Shadow - Acts 5:15

Paul's Touch on Handkerchiefs - Acts 19:12

Are you Ready for God to Touch You and Use you?

Acts 19:19

New Posting, January 26, 2015. This posting  is coming by way of Florida by a  novice on "blogging." First, the Christmas Church Season needs to be mentioned. It started with a wonderful "Hanging of the Greens" lead by Candie. A concert by the Friendship Dulcimer Club was enjoyed as was the delicious food. An inspirational cantata was given by the hard working choir which was lead by Valerie. Though the choir had many obstacles before the performance, the words and music reminded the choir and the congregation of God's faithfulness through His Son, whose birth we celebrate. Merrell was missed but Bob stepped in to complete the task with Jeannie. The children and the youth gave a special drama of Jesus' birth. They did great!! The generosity of many donors and those making crafts for the Special Christmas Offering and Silent Auction has given over $5,800 towards the debt of several upgrading projects in process and ones that are planned. The Sanctuary level bathrooms are almost complete.

The New Year: 2015 started quickly with the Pastoral Vote held January 11. The happy results are that Pastor Todd and Becky will be with us for the coming four years. We pray for blessings upon them as our leaders along with the leadership of the Local Board. For the congregation, we are reminded that it takes all working together to make a church worthy of God's direction and blessings. All Ministries were asked to make plans as quick as possible and put their events on the calendar, outside Pastor Todd's office.

A long time missionary, Reese Hurley, came to visit and gave a wonderful program about his path of doing God's work in many places around the world.

Upcoming Events:

Sundays at 5pm - Praise Band, with a new keyboard a great addition given by an anonymous donor
Sundays at 6pm and Wednesdays at 7pm - S. W. A. T. youth gatherings

February 7, 6pm - Sweetheart Banquet by S. W. A. T. "Dinner and a Movie."
February 15, 22 - Come Alive @8:55 Sunday School Class will have "Devine Devices: Devoting your Devices to God." This class is on technology and applications to God directed lives.
March 8 - Come Alive @8:55 Sunday School Class study of the book "24/6: A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life." The book looks at the concept of rest and how we need to reclaim it.

In April the Spring Revival will be held with Reverend Terry Ivy as the leader.