CALENDAR

SUNDAY  JANUARY 31, 2021
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
10     R.L. Pope Class by Stan Styer on Facebookand WGOS AM 1070
11     Live Worship In Person and Online on Facebook and WGOS AM 1070
(Please read below about protocols and how to enter the building.)
2-3:30  Youth:

MONDAY  FEBRUARY 1
10    10@10 Devotion on Facebook

TUESDAY  FEBRUARY 2
9-10   Men’s Prayer Group (Contact: Tim Lyons, tlyons00@gmail.com)
9-11  Sewing Ministry
10     10@10 Devotion on Facebook
5:30   Yoga

WEDNESDAY  FEBRUARY 3
The Weekly Update on Facebook
6      Youth Small Groups Online (contact Rodney Denton)

THURSDAY  FEBRUARY 4
10     10@10 Devotion on Facebook

FRIDAY  FEBRUARY 5
10    10@10 Devotion on Facebook

SUNDAY  FEBRUARY 7
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
10    R.L. Pope Class Online: Jim McGhee
11    Live Worship In-Person & Online
2-3:30  Youth

PRAYER CONCERNS

If you or a loved one would like to be added to the prayer list, please contact Lorna McCullough at 336-259-5814. If you put a name on the list, please keep in touch to let us know how that person is doing, as names are removed after three weeks.

During the coming week, please pray for…

Kathy Smith McKinley
Angel Christ and Randy Jackson and family
Belinda Johnson and family
Abby Emerson and family
Evelyn Stevenson
Cornelius Greene
Bill Stine
Zeb Hanner, Sr.
Ronnie Dancy
Britt Martin Williams
Peggy Graham
Jessie Collett
Our country and healing for all
Margie Collins
Carol Kaiser
Dean Sharpe-Austin
Finley Price family
Andrea Cain and family
Tim Priska
Chris Eddinger
Peace and justice in our nation, state, and city
Our first responders, medical community, and essential workers
All those affected by COVID-19
All military personnel
Our United Methodist missionaries
The United Methodist Church

We extend our prayers and sympathy to Richard Herman and family on the death of Richard’s mother, Rachel Sipe Herman, on Thursday January 21, 2021. The obituary can be found at jcgreenandsons.com.

WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY

What to Expect at Indoor Worship

• Access to the Sanctuary is through the Randolph Street doors only.  The designated entrance for those needing the elevator will be the door under the walkway.
• You’ll be greeted upon entering the church and asked a few questions.
• Face masks will be required for everyone.
• Some pews will be blocked to maintain social distancing; an usher will help direct you.
• Out of respect for others, please refrain from shaking hands or hugging.
• Offering plates will be available at the entrance and exit of the sanctuary.
• When services end, attendees will be dismissed by section to avoid hallway congestion.
• No nursery staff will be present, but the nursery space will be available.
• Sunday school will not be offered at this time.

VALENTINES FOR UMW SCHOLARSHIP FUND 

VALENTINE ORDER FORM

We support our high school seniors, and we know you will too!

Honor your Valentine.  For $5.00 per name you can purchase a Valentine in honor or in memory of those who are special to you. All funds go to the UMW Scholarship Fund. 

Submission deadline is Monday February 8th. Valentines will be printed in a special insert on Sunday February 14th, as well as in the church eNews for that week.

Please download the VALENTINE ORDER FORM and mail or bring the completed form with payment to the church office.

Thank you for your support of this important outreach to our high school seniors!

CCM DONATIONS NEEDED

Thank you for continuing to shop for Cooperative Community Ministry when you are getting your groceries.  Current needs are listed below. 

1. Meals of Grace teams to prepare/serve meals (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday nights)

2. Pantry Items: Mac and Cheese, Spaghetti Sauce, Noodles, Peanut Butter, Rice, Large cans of soup, Crackers

UMW ZOOM GATHERINGS 

All women of Memorial are invited to join the United Methodist Women (UMW) monthly Gatherings via Zoom. Gatherings usually are held on the second Saturday of the month, and the time is usually 12:00-12:30 p.m. The Zoom meeting links will be sent out a week prior by email. If you are interested, please contact Cheryl Herman for more information. Zoom Gathering Schedule: February 13 March 13 April 17 (Third Saturday due to Easter and school breaks) May 8 June 12

NEWS FROM MEMORIAL’S SEWING MINISTRY

The latest project the group completed, working under the COVID-19 Guidelines, was altering approximately 200 sets of sheets to fit twin beds for Furnish For Good, a non-profit organization in Charlotte, NC, that provides furnishings for those moving from homelessness to a first home. The project took about 9 months to complete. Many thanks go to those who helped with this huge undertaking that was led by Katie Conant. Take a minute to visit the Sewing Room, located on the third floor of the church. It is also the location of the Arts Academy Sewing Instruction classes.

COVID-19 VACCINE INFORMATION FROM NCDHHS

YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov

Many people are understandably skeptical about the COVID-19 virus and whether to receive the vaccine. The NC Dept. of Health and Human Services site provides facts and information to assist you in making an informed decision about the vaccine. The more our community understands about the vaccine, the better everyone will be in determining their best next step.  Please visit YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov to learn more.

Please help do your part to stop the spread of Covid-19 virus by wearing a mask when in public, washing your hands, and observing a 6-foot social distance.

R.L. POPE CLASS ONLINE LESSONS

SUNDAYS AT 10:00 A.M. on FACEBOOK and WGOS

The R. L. Pope Class is excited to offer weekly online lessons. Tune in to Facebook Live or  WGOS on your radio or computer.

Teaching Schedule:
February 7 Jim McGhee
February 14  Allen Brown
February 21   Kyles Wallace
February 28   Kyles Wallace

EMPTY BOWLS DATE CHANGE 

The Empty Bowls Committee would like to thank the 2020 Empty Bowls ticket holders for your patience and understanding in rescheduling this fundraiser. The committee has made the difficult decision to postpone the Empty Bowls dinner and Silent Auction until March 18, 2022. All 2020 tickets will be honored for the event in 2022 unless a refund is requested. You may contact Sandy McGhee at 336-870-4015 with any questions or action regarding tickets. Thank you.

COAT DRIVE SUCCESS

Thank you to all who donated items to make our recent Coat Drive a success. With your generosity, we collected 74 coats and several bags of winter accessories, such as scarves, hats, mittens, and gloves, which have been taken to CCM for them to distribute.

GIRL SCOUTS 

The Girl Scouts of Memorial are happy to help you with your cookie needs. Below is the information for both troops. If you would like to order or have any questions, please contact Julie Tyson at julesaxton@aol.com or (336) 687-5231.

Troop 2558 booths are:

1/29/21 from 5:00-8:00pm at GNC in Lexington at Lexington Parkway Plaza

2/20/21 from 4:00-8:00pm at Lowes Home Improvement Center in Lexington

Troop 2557 booths are:

1/23/21 (Drive Thru) from 12:00-4:00pm at First Presbyterian Church in Thomasville

1/30/21 from 4:00-7:00pm at GNC in Lexington at Lexington Parkway Plaza

2/6/21 from 4:00-8:00pm at Lowes Home Improvement Center in Lexington

Cookies are $5.00 per box this year.

CLERGY AND STAFF ARE AVAILABLE

You may contact members of the staff directly or by calling the church office at 336-472-7718 and following the instructions on the recording. Here is a list of staff phone extensions and email addresses, for reference:

Danny Leonard, Senior Minister – Ext. 16; dleonard@mumctville.org
Rodney Denton, Minister of Youth and Young Adults – Ext. 18; rdenton@mumctville.org
Lynda Hepler, Minister of Children and Families – Ext. 11; lhepler@mumctville.org
Norris Norwood, Director of Music/Organist – Ext. 12; nnorwood@mumctville.org
Aaron Prillaman, Director of Contemporary Worship – Ext. 20; aprillaman@mumctville.org
Melanie Byerly, Director of Arts Alive Arts Academy – Ext. 33; mbyerly@mumctville.org
Susan Frye, Secretary – Ext. 14; sfrye@mumctville.org
Peggy May, Financial Secretary/Treasurer – Ext. 13; pmay@mumctville.org
Jarry Oldaker, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds – Ext. 17; joldaker@mumctville.org

MEMORIAL AND HONORARY GIFTS

We gratefully acknowledge the following gifts made to Memorial United Methodist Church over the past several months: 

In honor of Chris Eddinger for her birthday by Tom and Janet Smith
In honor of Sara and Harold Faulkner by Leslie and David Faulkner
In honor of Charles Fulp by Ken and Martha Fulp
In honor of Kenneth and Martha Fulp by Charles Fulp
In honor of Milton Humphreys by Bick and Bonnie Craig
In honor of Milton Humphreys for his birthday by Roger and Bettie Bryant
In honor of Milton Humphreys by Lummie Jo Huneycutt
In honor of Milton Humphreys by Tom and Janet Smith
In honor of Meredith Michener by T.A. Finch Foundation
In memory of Jeanette Branson by William and Debbie Bean
In memory of Jeanette Branson by Carolyn Collett
In memory of Jeanette Branson by Jim Hudson
In memory of Jeanette Branson by Milton and Theresa Humphreys
In memory of Jeanette Branson by Catherine Lambeth
In memory of Jeanette Branson by Tom and Janet Smith
In memory of Jeanette Branson by Nancy K. Sumner
In memory of Jeanette Branson by Blake Williams
In memory of Jeanette Branson by David Williams
In memory of Pearl Brinkley by Cathy and Jamie Hiatt
In memory of Pearl Brinkley by Milton and Theresa Humphreys
In memory of Pearl Brinkley by Sonny and Charles Anna Koontz
In memory of Anna Belle and Earl Connor by Michael and Susan Connor
In memory of Frances Cook by Griff and Loretta Usher
In memory of Rachel Cranford by Russell and Gayle Batten
In memory of Rachel Cranford by Sonny and Charles Anna Koontz
In memory of Rachel Cranford by Mark and Jane Leonard
In memory of Rachel Cranford by Annette Mills
In memory of Norman Crews by Wayne and Christine Herrick
In memory of Gladys Davis by Bick and Bonnie Craig
In memory of David Finch by T.A. Finch Foundation
In memory of Mib Fulp by Ken and Martha Fulp
In memory of Jerry Gallimore by Sonny and Charles Anna Koontz
In memory of Loretta Groome by Milton and Theresa Humphreys
In memory of Loretta Groome by David and Wanda Hunt
In memory of Loretta Groome by Blake Williams
In memory of Barbara Hepler by David Williams
In memory of Rachel Herman by James and Marie Carmichael
In memory of Florence Highsmith by Robert and Ann Batten
In memory of Florence Highsmith by Harold and Sara Faulkner
In memory of Florence Highsmith by Jim Hudson
In memory of Florence Highsmith by Milton and Theresa Humphreys
In memory of Florence Highsmith by Emily Lambeth
In memory of Florence Highsmith by Tom and Janet Smith
In memory of Florence Highsmith by Ruth Wheliss
In memory of Florence Highsmith by David Williams
In memory of Dr. George and Florence Highsmith by Joyce and Jack Tapscott
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Robert and Ann Batten
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Harriet Cordray
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by David and Rebecca Faber
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Dr. & Mrs. William Farabow
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Harold and Sara Faulkner
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Charles Fulp
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by David and Leslie Gibbs
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Dr. Lloyd and Camille Higgins
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Jim Hudson
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Milton and Theresa Humphreys
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Emily Lambeth
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Caroline Mauney
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Annette Mills
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Bill Mills
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Martha Moses
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Peggy O’Kelley
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Frank and Ann Rankin
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Rives and Associates, LLP
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Bettie Rowe
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Tom and Janet Smith
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Anne Spence
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Joe and Lynda Stone
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by Blake Williams
In memory of Dr. George Highsmith by David Williams
In memory of Nancy Hodgin by Noah and Barbara Manning
In memory of Dallas Hutchens by Cathy and Jamie Hiatt
In memory of Dallas Hutchens by Milton and Theresa Humphreys
In memory of Dallas Hutchens by Annette Mills
In memory of Dallas Hutchens by Blake Williams
In memory of Dallas Hutchens by David Williams
In memory of Mary Ann Johnson by Mark and Jane Leonard
In memory of Hoxie Jones by Carey and Kay Eanes
In memory of Hoxie Jones by Joe and Barbara Greeson
In memory of Hoxie Jones by Lummie Jo Huneycutt
In memory of Hoxie Jones by Peggy May
In memory of Hoxie Jones by Tom and Janet Smith
In memory of Hoxie Jones by David Williams
In memory of Mike Kennedy by Kevin and Kelly White
In memory of Mike Kennedy by David Williams
In memory of Dr. Mark Lewis by James and Marie Carmichael
In memory of Dr. Mark Lewis by Jamie and Cathy Hiatt
In memory of Dr. Mark Lewis by Milton and Theresa Humphreys
In memory of Barbara Price by Charles and Kathy Aites
In memory of Barbara Price by Robert and Ann Batten
In memory of Barbara Price by Carolyn Collett
In memory of Barbara Price by Scott and Diane Craver
In memory of Barbara Price by Carey and Kay Eanes
In memory of Barbara Price by Harold and Sara Faulkner
In memory of Barbara Price by Jamie and Cathy Hiatt
In memory of Barbara Price by Milton and Theresa Humphreys
In memory of Barbara Price by Lummie Jo Huneycutt
In memory of Barbara Price by David and Wanda Hunt
In memory of Barbara Price by Priscilla Joyce
In memory of Barbara Price by Anne Overbeck
In memory of Barbara Price by Griff and Loretta Usher
In memory of Barbara Price by Blake Williams
In memory of Barbara Price by David Williams
In memory of Joe Wheliss by Noah and Barbara Manning
In memory of Joe Wheliss by Annette Mills
In memory of Joe Wheliss by Hal Rollins
In memory of Jane Burt Williams by Emily Abernathy
In memory of Shelley York by Dr. Lloyd and Camille Higgins
In memory of Shelley York by Annette Mills

FEATURED DEVOTION

We close this week’s eNews with a 10@10 devotion shared by Rodney Denton on November 13, 2020.

Feed My Sheep

Well, it’s that time of year again – time to get our Christmas lists back out and begin the work of doing our Christmas shopping. My wife and I began talking about what we thought we should get our kids this year. We have a 13-year-old boy and boy and girl twins who are 11. Gifts for these guys have changed quite a bit over the years. In fact, Deacon got hold of the Target “wish list” recently and began circling things that he wanted. When he was done, I made him go back and add up all the items (full of electronic gadgets and high-tech gear) he had circled. It ended up totaling around $3000. Guess who’s NOT getting $3000 worth of toys this year for Christmas? My point is that my kids today are a lot more difficult to buy for than they used to be.

My daughter is no exception! When Daelyn was around five years old, I remember asking her what she wanted for Christmas. She immediately responded that she wanted either a pony or a piggie. There was no way she was getting either of these, but I was then able to talk her into getting a pony for one of her dolls. The very next year, I asked her the question again and this time, this sweet little daddy’s girl (who I call my “rose among thorns;” for whom I would do anything; who is being raised in a house with two dirty, smelly brothers who, on their best days refuse to use silverware at meals and on most days mainly talk about poop and wieners and probably should not be allowed in the house; who I think deserves whatever gift that she wants, I really do mean it) – this girl again asked for the impossible She said that she either wanted a baby sister or a puppy. Now, I can tell you that the baby sister was OUT OF THE QUESTION. I am not looking to add any more craziness to my house. BUT when I suggested that perhaps we could get a stuffed doggie, that idea was met with tears and an emphatic, foot stomping NO! We later adopted Charlie, but at that time in our lives we were not ready for a dog.

I’m not sure what we are going to do about the Christmas presents this year, but as I was considering my options I came across today’s Scripture passage. This passage happens during the in-between time after Jesus’ crucifixion and before his ascension. Jesus is laying the groundwork for the fledgling Church. The passage comes from John chapter 21, verses 15-17:

 15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

 “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

 “Then feed my sheep,” Jesus told him.

 16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

 “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

 “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

 17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

 Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

 Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”

Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep. I cannot help but imagine the immense, high-maintenance task that Jesus was asking Peter to do. And I am pretty sure that Jesus isn’t talking about four-legged sheep; He is talking about His followers. Jesus is asking Peter to take care of the very people who will be the very foundation of the Christian Church. That is a lot of pressure. If Peter fails, gets tired, or gives up, the Church may no longer exist. I feel like it is almost impossible to overstate the importance and difficulty of what Jesus is asking Peter to do. Peter is being charged with taking a small group of God-loving people and making sure that the message of God’s love not only survives but spreads even after Jesus is gone. And Jesus reinforces Peter’s mission by telling him not once, not twice, but three times to do this.

I know that I don’t even want to take responsibility for one single horse, pig, or even a dog; Jesus was asking Peter to take responsibility for starting the Church! I have to believe that, although Peter is agreeing to what Jesus is asking him to do, he must have a doubt in the back of his head about whether he is really the person who can “feed Jesus’ sheep.” After all, it was Peter who, when the going got tough, folded under the pressure. Three times Peter was asked if he knew Jesus, and three times he denied knowing him. Peter’s heart may have been in the right place, but when it came right down to it, he failed! How will he ever be able to be the “rock” Jesus seems to think he is?

People talk a lot about how dangerous texting while driving is, and this is very true. But you don’t have to be behind the wheel of a car for texting to be dangerous! And I’m not just talking about the dangers of walking into a lamp post; or the dangers of auto correct that might send an alternate, occasionally embarrassing message to another person; or even the dangers of replying to a friend when you do not realize that you are in a group text—all of which I have done!

Nope. One of the most dangerous things about texting is that it is impossible to understand the emotion and meaning behind the words sometimes. So, you have to sort of imagine how the words are being expressed, and sometimes we get it wrong. So, you might be in a great mood and send a text to your bestie and say, “What are YOU doing?” and they might be in a terrible mood and read it as, “WHAT are you DOING?” Or you might send a reply to the question, “Do you want to do something tonight?” with, “I don’t care.” Does that mean, “I don’t care what we do,” or does that mean “I don’t want to do anything”? So, understanding context and the emotion of a text message is important!

The same is true for Scripture. Sometimes I feel like we miss out on part of the message because we are reading the words of Jesus instead of hearing them. Let me explain; and this conversation between Jesus and Peter is a great example. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him. Now, first of all, Jesus is not repeating himself because he is having memory or hearing problems. There is a reason for repeating the question. The number 3 does have special spiritual significance in the Bible. For example, God is Three persons in One. There were three wise men. The number 3 especially holds significance in times related to conversions. For example, Jonah, after spending three days in the belly of the whale, was ready to preach to the people of Nineveh; Paul went from the greatest persecutor of the faith to its greatest missionary after he was struck blind for three days; and of course, Jesus was in the tomb for three days before he emerged to resurrected life. So, perhaps Jesus’ asking Peter the same question three times was about conversion.

By asking the question, “Do you love me?” three times, Jesus may be trying to get Peter to see that He was forgiven and reconciled for those three times that he denied knowing Christ. Sometimes forgiving ourselves for our past mistakes can be the most difficult forgiveness to accept. But Peter could not allow self-doubt or guilt to get in the way of a mission that God was sending him on.

But what if, when we read this passage, we are missing something? Maybe reading it the way we do poses the same problems that mis-reading a text message poses. I want to suggest that this conversation Jesus was having was full of emotion and emphasis and weight, and Jesus was asking the questions, using the same words, but with a different emphasis each time. Words can be powerful, but the way they are spoken says as much as the actual words themselves.

CONFESSION

What if Jesus was leading Peter through a process that was designed to prepare him for the mission that God was calling him to? We can’t be certain, but we can imagine that Jesus could have been making a point with Peter. Maybe Jesus began the dialogue with just asking a simple question, like, “PETER — do you love me?” Perhaps Jesus just wanted to hear Peter’s response; perhaps he wanted to force Peter to say the words; or perhaps Jesus knew how the conversation was going to go, and this was the opening that he needed to get Peter’s attention. Either way, Peter was forced to CONFESS his love for his Savior. I imagine Peter answered in sort of the same way guys might respond this to keep things from being too awkward: “You know I love you, Man.” (He was probably hoping that this was the end of the conversation.)

COMMITMENT

But Jesus didn’t stop there. Perhaps he changed the way he asked the question the second time. “Peter, do you — LOVE — me?” This time by placing the emphasis on that word love, maybe Jesus wanted to force Peter to consider what he was really saying. Instead of just letting him off the hook with words, maybe Jesus wanted Peter to understand that love is a verb. It requires action and COMMITMENT. Loving Jesus is about more than speaking words. There are expectations behind that question. Peter can say he loves Jesus all day long, but until he shows it through his actions, maybe those words don’t mean too much. So, Peter has to get a little more serious and answer in a dramatic way: “Yes Lord, you know I LOVE you.”

CALLING

Then, as they say, “the third time is the charm.” We are told that Jesus asked the question this last time in such a way that Peter was hurt. Now, we aren’t sure why, but maybe Jesus asked the question in a way that made Peter really consider how his life was about to change. “Peter, do you love — ME?” This time the question was ultimately personal. This man who had followed Jesus around for years; had seen do miracles; had heard teaching; and had witnessed reaching out to the poor, the sinners, and the marginalized—it was his (Peter’s) turn, now, to be God’s presence on the Earth. Peter may have answered this question with a little lump in his throat as the gravity of what “following in Jesus’ footsteps” meant. He understood that all the time and energy and teaching that Jesus had spent on him was leading him to a CALLING on his life, to a mission that needed to be fulfilled. “You know everything. You know that I love YOU!”

So, Jesus follows up after each question, with the same command: “Feed my sheep.” It is my belief that this confession (PETER…?) , commitment (…LOVE…) and calling (…ME.) was not just for Peter. I believe that God is asking all of us to answer these same questions. Jesus is asking YOU, “DO YOU LOVE ME?” God is calling us to work together to bring about real change in our world, to show the world a different way to live, to spread the great news of God’s perfect love. As you prepare for the upcoming, pandemic-affected Advent season, maybe it is a good time to reconsider and recommit to a more clear and focused celebration of the Christmas season. Maybe the new focus should be a little more on the simple, unglamorous gift of a baby—born to an unwed, teenage girl; laid in the hay of a manger; surrounded by shepherds and farm animals in a stable—than on lusting after all the latest shiny gadgets and hype-filled, must-have things in the latest Black Friday sales flyer. Confession, Commitment and Calling: those are the gifts that have the greatest impact on this world and on our lives. May these be the gifts that we seek to share during this Christmas season. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, AMEN!

Thanks for joining me, have a great weekend, stay healthy and take care of one another!!!

YOU CAN WATCH AND READ ALL 10 @ 10 DEVOTIONS HERE.