St James UMC Jan 2014 Newsletter

8/13/2019 St James UMC Jan 2014 Newsletter

1/14

JANUARY2014 VOLUMEII, ISSUE1

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the

past. See, I am doing a new thing! ow it

springs up; do you not perceive it? I am mak-

ing a way in the wilderness and streams in the

wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19

Everyone needs a new beginning - whether it be from a personal failing, tragic past, or in the desire to pursuea dream. The need for renewal is not only what we embrace at the New Year; it's also at the heart of salva-tion itself. With quotes from respected literary, theological, and historical figures, I wish you inspiration,

resolve and hope for a fresh start in 2014, as we forget the former things.

"There will come a time when you believe everything is

finished. That will be a beginning."-Louis L'Amour

"The beginning is the most important part...for that is the

time character is being formed."-Plato

"The object of a new year is not that we should have a new

year. It is that we should have a new soul."- G.K. Chesterton

"Maybe this year...walk through the rooms of our lives not

looking for flaws, but potential."-Ellen Goodman

"Decide that you are not going to stay where you are."-

J.P. Morgan

"You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take

the first step."-Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.

"Stay away from what might have been, and look at what can

be."-Marsha Petrie Sue

"Everyone who got where he is had to begin where he

was."-Robert Louis Stevenson

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your

neighbors, and let each new year find you a better

man."-Benjamin Franklin

"Start by doing what's necessary; Then do what's possi-

ble; Suddenly you are doing the impossible."-

St. Francis of Assisi

"For last year's words belong to last year's language

and next year's words await another voice." T. S. Eliot

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; Old things

have passed away; All things have become new."

2 Corinthians 5:17

"For I know the plans I have for you...to prosper you

and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future."-

Jeremiah 29:11

FarewellFarewellFarewellFarewell2013201320132013,,,,

Where 2014?inoingGWeAre Page 1


2/14

T

!

.

.

,

.

. 10

.

,

.

. . , ,

. ,

.

,

.

.

.

,

, ,

! .

.

.

. 2013.

, ,

2014! !

Pastor L. Learson

St James UMC Lamplighter

Pastor Learsons Message, Happy New Years!

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off yourold self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in

the attitude of your minds;24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness andholiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

Rev. Louise Learson

31, 2014.

.

.

.

.

,

, , , , ,

.

Page 2


3/14

Greetings St. James,By Marilyn Roseboro, Church Council Chair

Blessings and Greetings Church,

as I wish each and every one of you ajoyous and happy New Year. TheChurch council thanks every one of

you for a blessed year.

It seems that everything we did this

pass year turned out wonderful. Al-though, at times, we waited until the last minute to go

forward. Just think what we could have done if we hadput forth just a little more effort in planning, organizingand communicating with one another.

This year I challenge everyone to think of ways we canmake St. James better. To think of how we can give ofour best in planning activities for our church. The first

church council meeting will be January 27th, 2014 at7:00pm. Mark your calendar and come out to the meet-ing so we can develop the annual church calendar and

budget. Help us plan church activities in advance.

Just vision how well things have worked out for us whenwe put forth that past minimal effort. Then vision howmuch better outcomes we will have if we have well

planned and organized activities. After all, God gives usHis best and for sure, Our best is due to Him!

Notes from Admin Chairperson


Youth Ministries In 2014By Delores Roseboro, Youth Coordinator

We are excited about the New Year,2014, and growing our youth minis-

tries programs. Our Wednesday night

bible study will resume January 14th

,2014 at 6:00pm unless further noti-fied. We are also preparing for ayouth lead Easter program in 2014 .

The pastor has asked for the churchmembership to consider starting Sun-day morning service at 10:00 a.m.sometimes in the near future. If this happens; we will com-

bine our youth bible Sunday to meet Sunday at 9:00 a.m.instead of Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. We will use Wednesdaynight for other youth ministry activities.

The new musician is interested in enhancing our dance and

praise ministry. Therefore, all youth interestedin participating in the dance ministry please contact DeloresRoseboro or Shantae Bryan. We have Ms. Cierra Vinson,another teacher volunteering to help with our children bible

ministry.

We thank Cierra for her willingness to help with our chil-dren and invite others to join us as we grow our youth minis-

try to become the best ever!

Sis Delores Roseboro

St James Informer MissionThe St James Informer is a monthly Newsletter

Ministry dedicated to reporting to the church body

news of upcoming events and programs; current and

on-going activities; and historical news regarding each

auxiliary, individual, and the church as a whole, as

well as news with reference to our sister churches and

the community. Contact us to provide additional news

& info for the newsletter by 2nd week of each month.

Co-editors:Betty C. Gwynn225-610-9995

Sarah C .Johnson 704-966-0648

Inside this issue:

Pastors Message 2

Church AdministrationOur 2

Mission & Objective 2

People In Our church 4

Beyond Our church Walls

Inside Story4

General Info MLK Celebration 5

Photo Collage

Personal

Reflections

6

10-14

Page 3


4/14

The word says to Pray without ceasing. We intend to

do just that, never waver-ing. St James, God is just

beginning to show uswhat he can do if we onlytrust and believe in Him, in

His power and in His might.

How can you not feel themove of God in our Sundaymorning worship services,the love of God in this congregation, the children ofGod coming together as one body. God is truly not

finished with us , this is only the begin-ning. The move of God is here. We will con-

tinue to pray on Tuesday night at 6:30 and weask that you call out the prayer ministry whenyou pray, and know that we are praying

for you. If you have any special requestsplease let Pastor Learson know and we willtalk to God on your behalf.

Remember, we as individuals do not have the

power to change anything or anybody. BUTWITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE,

THAT WE TRULY BELIEVE. In the name of theFather, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

19"Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth

about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for

them by My Father who is in heaven. 20"For where

two or three have gathered together in My name, I am

there in their midst." Matthew 18: 19-20

Saint James is commissioned to be a community of

growing Christians seeking to know and carry outthe will of God.

By producing kingdom citizens through Worship,Discipleship, Service and Evangelism.

.


T

he word of God declares that where two or three

are gathered together in His name, that He wouldsurely be in the midst. I know the Father, the

Son, and the Precious Holy Spirit is present withthe Intercessors here every Tuesday night, right here at StJames United Methodist Church.

God gave us each time to spend on earth. It is

a gift to use freely. As with Gods other gifts,

though, we are asked to give back some of ourtime for Gods purposes. As you flip your cal-

endar print or electronic from 2013 to 2014this week, consider it an oppor-

tunity to reflect on your faithfulstewardship of time. Look back

over 2013: Do the activitiesand events filling those squares

show you using the time well?

Turning to 2014, consider the

mostly empty squares beforeyou. How will you make time for personal

faith development and doing Gods work in the

coming year? How can you improve over thelast year? For example, will times for worship,small-group faith development, and conversa-

tion (prayer) with God take priority? How willopportunities for service in the local church or

wider community fit in your routine?

---- Our Mission StatementOur Mission StatementOur Mission StatementOur Mission Statement - And by ministering to the spiritual , emotional,

intellectual and physical needs of our members aswell as our neighbors

How DoesIntercessory

Prayer

Work?

Sis Linda Cook

Intercessory Prayer, One of Gods Survival ToolsBy Sis Linda Cook, Chair Pastor Parish

Page 4


5/14


Matthew 19: 4-6Havent you read that at the beginning

the Creator made them male and female and said for this

reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united

to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So they are

no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined to-

gether, let man not separate.

I was asked How has marriage increased my faith? Thatquestion had never been posed to me before and I had to really

think about that. My faith had never really waivered; however,for sure, I know my marriage has enhanced my faith. It is anabsolute honor to have a man that I know truly loves me and Ithank God for him.

When we first met, there were so many things we had in com-mon things that mean so little to anyone else but a great deal

to us. Examples: (How ironic is this?)

We come from an age where most girls are taught to be headstrong and independent. And at times, that can be fine; but the

problem comes in when a woman becomes so head strong andindependent, that it becomes an issue in the relationship.

I cannot speak for all women; I can only speak from my pointof view.

I was one of those women. I can do it all by myself I dontneed a man to define me, which is true. But there is nothing

like a good man to enhance the strong qualities that a womanmay possess.

When Mike and I first started to date, he was doing all

the things that a woman says she wants a good man todo. From opening of the car doors, offering positive

compliments, and calling or texting on a regular basis

just to see if Im ok.

Because of my attitude as I just stated, there were timeswhen I had jumped out of the car, not even giving him

the opportunity to do the things that we say wewant He just stood there. I got back into the car,closed the door and said Im sorry. I then waited on

him to come around and open my door. Aint noth-ing wrong with a man treating us well ladies; we de-

serve it. What God has joined together!

Thru faith, Mike and I are discussing our expressed

interest in putting together a couples retreat ministry.Any interested members of the Church as well as out-

side couples, would get together, take a weekend tripalong with a counselor or someone that specializes in

such activities.

This would be very beneficial to newlywed couples

and will greatly benefit our seasoned couples. A cou-ples retreat could shed insight on what it takes or whatit means to maintain a good marriage. It would alsoshed light on problems or concerns couples may ormay not have shared with their partner or encountered

yet.With faith in God, who knows, couples may be able toadd so much insight, everyone's marriage may last thrueternity.

By Sis. Victoria Franklin.

Marriage Increased My Faith, As We Became One !

Faith, Love & RespectFaith, Love & Respect

has everything to do with this!has everything to do with this!

Dec 22, 2012 Reflections!

One of my favorite scriptures is taken from Romans 8:28.And we know that all things work together for good to those who

love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Vicki & MikeVicki & MikeVicki & MikeVicki & Mike

Page 5


6/14

Still Standing - contd next page

Emotional pain seems, feels so destructive but,

Im Still Standing"I was there when the war began and I wasthere when the troops left. Iraq is as mucha part of me as my children are a part of me. I pray

the country becomes superbly successful so that the

friends I lost during the war and the tragedies our

American and Iraqi families faced will be worth it.I

still cant believe I survived.

On March 17th, 2003, I arrived at Camp Virginia

Kuwait the day the war began as a 2lt in the US

Army ...in a Patriot Missile Battery. We came as the

war began. It was my first time to the dessert. The

sun was hot, the wind was hotter. We got off the bus-

ses after a day and a half of traveling from Ansbach,

Germany, 3086 miles away and got in a formation

where they announced to us the war had begun. Till

then I still had hope that we could avoid the war. An

hour later, we had to put on chemical mask and very

heavy chemical suits over our uniforms as scud mis-

siles were fired at our camp. It was the first time I

witnessed grown men crying as they tried to put on

their suits in time.

I traveled during that tour through Talil,Karbala,

and to the Baghdad International Airport. We slept

under trucks out in the desert. We only stayed 4

months. It seemed like my longest tour. I recall the

time an Iraqi woman grabbed me crying and begged

me to stay in Iraq. The news was reporting that the

President said the war was over and we troops

would be going home. She told me they needed us to

stay as the women were being raped and the banks

and museums were being robbed by people crossing

the borders. She is the reason I kept going back.

They needed us, so we were there.

I remember that first tour we didnt worry about

IEDs. either did we have electricity or running

water. o air conditioning, no hot baths, no ice, no

news, no internet, only sand, sun, and war. Time

inevitably went slowly and I learned to hate spa-

ghetti as it was our only meal for a month!


For Surely, If God loves you,

you can like yourself!

Cause somebody

prayed for you!

Ambushed in Bagdad, Iraq while on routine patrol

, What a broken military hummer windshield view.

Ah, the security of my Humvee

By Capt Justin A. Gwynn

US Army, Retired

Page 6


7/14


Still Standing - contd

The second time I went to Iraq was again arriving in spring.

I had left my wife and kids in Hawaii. This time I volun-

teered to come as a Captain from my new unit in Hawaii. It

was the hardest year I faced. I worked with 10 of the bravest

men I know as a squad of advisors to an Iraqi Special PoliceCommando Battalion. Commandos that was just a name

and they were nowhere near capable of the task. Eleven (11)

US soldiers lived with a battalion of 300 or more Iraqi sol-

diers and we went to combat with them.

Often they would lead us into ambushes. Often we worried

they would try to kill us in our sleep. Sometimes our job was

to protect the citizens of Iraq from their protectors. I made

a friend amongst them and we gave each other gifts. He was

shot in the head for working with Americans.

They had fights amongst themselves between the Shiite andSunni troops. I wasnt prepared for the mission and it left

scars. I lost some American friends in other units. People

that I thought were better soldiers than me. I felt guilty for

surviving survivors remorse. I literally cried when I re-

turned home.

Ididnt recognize my son after that tour. He looked so

different that I thought they had replaced him with

someone else like on a TV shows. I had missed half of

his life while in Iraq. But I still feel it was worth it because of

the difference we made and the lives we saved. I look at the

sacrifice my four kids, my fellow soldiers, and the Iraqis

made and I am disgusted any time someone says we were

there for, nothing.

That tour was the beginning to the end of my marriage. I

came back a different man. I yelled at my now ex-wife. I was

angry. I didnt like being around normal people. I only

liked talking to veterans, combat veterans. I was de-

pressed and I had to get counseling. I am certain the coun-

seling saved my life. However it didnt save my career.

I left the military too soon. I was disgusted with the non-

combat leaders telling me what to do when I felt like they

didnt understand how the battles changed the way we

should operate. In combat all the red-tape dissipates and

everyone focuses on what needs to be done and what is im-

portant.

So what, you dont keep your job, you are still alive. So what

if they left you, you have all your limbs. I saw children that

no longer had all their limbs. I joined the Louisiana Army

ational Guard shortly after and volunteered to return to

Iraq a third time in 2010. I saw how young and inexperi-

enced some of the soldiers were and I felt I had to go with

them to offer my experience and keep them alive.

It was a peaceful tour acting as a Forward Operating

Base deputy Mayor on Camp Victory. The same area I

had previously known as Baghdad International Air-

port and then BIAP was now the largest base around

Camp Victory. I left after 4 months due to the presi-

dents draw down of troops. Sadly it was a rough tour

for me as my marriage was falling apart and I was fal-

ling apart from dealing with the final remnants of thelast tour. Army counseling and actually being there

helped me overcome so many of my trials.

In 2011 I went to Iraq a 4th time but this time as a

highly paid Contractor. However, my timing was bad

as I arrived a month before the troops would pull out

of Iraq. Most contractors worried that the Iraqis

might come over the wall and kill us all after the troops

departed. However, I had lived with and knew the

Iraqis. They have an amazing history and are a highly

cultured society. They werent going to come over the

walls they were glad the war was over.

The night the troops left I could hear the scream-

ing, the shouting and the Iraqis celebrating and

they were miles away. I was on Baghdad Dip-

lomatic Support Center. A little scared but happy. I

had lived to see the war I helped begin come to a close.

Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center was the Depart-

ment of State name for what was left of Camp Victory,

BIAP before that, and originally the Baghdad Interna-

tional Airport. It was home to me. I got divorced dur-

ing that tour and my son told me it was ok because I

was never home anyway. It hurt because it was true. I

spent a year traveling to all the remaining sites in Iraq.A year where I watched the nation of Iraq begins its

recovery. They still have a long way to go. But I could

see the recovery underway.

A part of me died over there. I am now a different per-

son. Hopefully, I am a better person. I would go back if

I had the chance. I have friends I made over there that

I hope I never lose. I met Tom Arnold because of the

war. Thats Rosanne Barrs ex-husband. Hes a great

guy. He helped me after the war and he didnt have to

and has never asked for anything in return. He even

took my advice and took a trip to Afghanistan to visit

troops with his best buddy Dax Shepard.

The war was needed. The proof exists in the nation

that is being built. Iraq was important to me and

America. My friend, SPC Bostic, didnt die for oil, or a

useless war. He died a hero as a soldier. You wont

know who he is or how he died. But I do, he is one of

the reason I respect the war and the others that also

made the ultimate sacrifice for a cause bigger than our

own lives. Honestly, I check every time they have a me-

morial to make sure my name isnt up on it. Its still

hard for me to believe I survived.

Page 7


8/14

Do you remember any of these old wivestales our parents, grandparents, and family

taught us about New Years Eve and Day?Here goes some that I remember. Tell mewhat you think:

1. Do not wash clothes on the last day of

the year. Youll wash someone from

the family.2. Do not take ashes out on the last day

of the year. Youll take someone from

the family.

3. At Midnight on ew Years Eve, kiss

and spend time with the one you love.

Youll be with that person all year.4. Have cash in your wallet on the last

day of the year. You bring more

money into the new year.5. Sweep the house to clean out all nega-

tivity from the ending year. Youll

have positive experiences all year.

6. Take nothing out of the house on the

first day of the year. You will lose

things all year.

7. Do not clean your house on ew years

Day. You clean out good luck.

8. Write your wishes on a piece of paper

and burn it. Youll make wishes come

true for the new year

9. You must not eat chicken or turkey on

the first day of the new year. You will

scratch in the dirt all year ( as fowl

does for their food) You bring poverty

to yourself.

10. Eating these food bring you good luck

on ew Years day : black-eyed peas,

collard greens or cabbage; to have

more money you must eat pork chops

and hog jowl (unknown). Maybe it

was just good with the meal.

Have a blessed and peaceful 2014.

By Sis Sarah Johnson


Old Family New Years Wives TalesOld Family New Years Wives Tales

Sis Sarah Johnson

Do you wonderif he made any

ew Years

resolutions?

If not , what

would you

suggest?

Page 8


9/14

ST JAMES INFORMER

St. James UMC Committee


otes from Our Worship Committee

By Sis Margaret Nixon

Matthew 25:2121 His master replied, Well done,

good and faithful servant! You have

been faithful with a few things; I

will put you in charge of many

things. Come and share your mas-

ters happiness!

As chairperson of worship, I offer many thanks to our church

family for a job well done. Weve had a great 2013. Through

prayer and dedication, in 2014 we can do greater works for our

Lord and Savior.

Many thanks to our pastor, to the choirs, ushers, lay speakers,

communion, stewards, acolytes, and the congregation at large.

God has blessed St. James with talents and we see they have been

used for the glory of our God.

UM Youth Activities

SAT, Feb 28, 2014

http://www.charlotteyouthday.org/

To see the Flyer -

Join with hundreds of youth for praise,

worship, and basketball as

UC Charlotte plays Univ of Alabama

Birmingham

From UMC Catawba Valley District

UMC Conference Announcements

Central UMC Shelby will be the host church and locationfor the Cleveland County MLK Service of Worshipat 10amon that Monday, Jan. 20, 2014.

See more at: http://wnccumc.org/events/martin-luther-king-service-worship

January

Mon, Jan 6, - Epiphany 1st day(End of 12 days of Christmas, visit of 3 Wise Men)

Mon, Jan 20 (All Day) MLK Holiday

FebruarySun, Feb 2 Ground Hog DayWed, Feb 12Lincolns birthdayFriday, Feb 14Valentines DayMon, Feb 17 - (All day) Presidents DaySat, Feb 22Washingtons birthdaySat, Feb 28 Charlotte Youth Day

MarchWed, Mar 5Ash WedSun, Mar 9Daylight Savings, (Spring Ahead!)Mon, Mar 17St Patricks Day

AprilTues, Apr 1April Fools DaySun, April 13Palm SundayThur, April 17Maundy (Holy) ThursdayFri, April 18 Good Friday

2014 Calendar Dates to Remember

Sunday School8:00 am

Sunday Services9:00 am

Intercessory PrayerTuesdays 6:30pm

Bible StudyTuesdays 7:00pm

Youth Bible StudiesWed. 6:00pm

Adult Choir RehearsalThurs 6:00pm

MeetingsUMMas scheduled

Meetings - UMW Sundays after Services

Weekly Church Activities

Page 9


10/14

He was a Drum Major for Peace & Non-Violence

It took 15 years to create the federal Martin Luther King,

Jr.,holiday. Congressman John Conyers, Democrat from

Michigan, first introduced legislation for a commemorative

holiday four days after King was assassinatedin 1968. Ap-

proved by Congress in 1982.

From Baptist Ministerto Nobel Peace Prize winner ...

Truly a man of Justice, Freedom and Peace!

St JamesJanuary 2014

Each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Dayof Service is the only federal holiday observed as a na-tional day of service a "day on, not a day off.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

31Watch NightServices

1Happy

New Year

2 3 4

5Adult choir

6 7Bible Study

8 9Choir

Rehearsal

10 11

12Youth Choir

13 14Bible Study

Cameron

Peake

15Youth Study

16Choir

Rehearsal

17 18

19Adult choir

20MLK Holiday

JaneClark

21Bible Study

22Youth Study

23Choir

Rehearsal

24 25

26Male choir

27

Admin Bd

Meeting

7:00pm

28Bible Study

DonaldJohnson

29Youth Study

30Choir

Rehearsal

31choir

BirthdaysBirthdaysBirthdaysBirthdays

Page 10


11/14


Upcoming EventsMLK Holiday Celebration

Monday, January 20, 2014

192919291929192919291929192919291929192919291929------------201420142014201420142014201420142014201420142014Jan 15, 1929Jan 15, 1929Jan 15, 1929

April 4, 1968April 4, 1968April 4, 1968

1. Martin Luther King was best known for his philosophy of

black nationalism

civil disobedience

socialism

2. Which of these major events first distinguished Martin Lu-

ther King as an important civil rights leader?

The Montgomery Bus Boycott

The March on Washington

Brown v. Board of Education3. Martin Luther King was the leader of which organization?

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)

Student Non-Violent Coordinating Society (SNCC)

The Nation of Islam

4. Martin Luther King received a Ph.D. from Boston University

in what field?

political science

history

theology

5. In 1963, Martin Luther King was arrested and jailed durin

anti-segregation protests in Birmingham, Alabama. What fa-

mous work did he write during that time?

Why We Can't Wait

Where Do We Go From Here? Chaos or Community

Letter From Birmingham City Jail

6. What world-famous prize was Martin Luther King honore

with?

The Pulitzer Prize

The Nobel Peace Prize

The Nobel Prize in Literature

7. Which of these quotations is by Martin Luther King?

"I am America. I am the part you won't recognize. But get

used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my re-

ligion, not yours; my goals, my own; get used to me."

"You're either part of the solution or part of the problem."

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and

live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be

self-evident: that all men are created equal."

8. Where did Martin Luther King give his famous 1963 "I

Have a Dream" speech?

During the March on Washington

When he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize

During the Birmingham Bus Boycott

Dr. King - (center)on the LorraineHotel, Memphis,

Tennessee, balconymoments before hisdeath

Let us Ring the Freedom Bell onJan 20, 2014 at 12:00pm

Martin Luther King Quiz by Borgna BrunnerTest your knowledge on Martin Luther King with this quiz.

Page 11


12/14

Working together to serve a perfect God


Sunday School8:00 am

Sunday Services9:00 am

Intercessory PrayerTuesdays 6:30pm

Bible StudyTuesdays 7:00pm

Youth Bible StudiesWed. 6:00pm

Adult Choir RehearsalThurs 6:00pm

MeetingsUMMas scheduled

Meetings - UMW Sundays after Services

2201 St. James Church Road

Denver, NC 28037 Stamp

Mail to:

Phone: 704-483-3394Pastor Learson: 704-500-3944E-mail: [email protected]

God grant me the serenityto accept the things I cannot change;courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway topeace;Taking, as He did, this sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it;Trusting that He will make all things rightif I surrender to His Will;That I may be reasonably happy in this lifeand supremely happy with HimForever in the next.

Prayer of Serenity

AmenAmenAmenAmen

2014 Church Officials:

Rev. Louise D. Learson, Pastor 704-500-3944

Mary Anthony, President Adult Choir 704-489-0861

Terry Clarke, Trustee Chairperson 704-673-2612

Linda Cook, PPR Chair 589-805-4322

Victoria Franklin, Membership Chair 704-579-0796

Clara Nixon, Chair UMW & Evangelism 704-483-2716

Margaret Nixon, Worship Chair 704-483-2679

Gary Roseboro, Nurturing & Outreach Chair &Boys2Men Coordinator 704-408-2442

Hattie Roseboro, Finance Secretary & Usher Coord.704-240-2178

Stanley Roseboro, Sunday Sch. Superintendent704-483-4422

Marilyn Roseboro, Church Council Chair 704-483-3531

Sarah Johnson, Church Historian 704-966-0648

Jerry Nixon, Church Lay Leader 704-877-6137

Waddell Thompson, UMM Chair & Chairman of Finance704-483-1131

Delores Roseboro, Chair Ed. Department,Youth Coordinator 980-233-1953

Page 12


13/14

Its been barely a year since my last trip to Iraq. Yet it seems Gods vision is form

in the Middle East as I have returned again, this time to Doha, Qatar.

I am divorced and alone, I am away from my children and what few friends Imay have left. But I have God and I am doing well.

Infact, this trip now seems like a blessing in disguise. It seems like this is mytime of healing. I am becoming stronger both mentally and physically. I have to

be stronger for the war has made it more difficult to deal with those who havenever felt its destructive and cruel force.

I am a changed man that has sacrificed my innocence so that others may havepeace. Yet the conundrum of it all is that those whom I have protected can't

know my pain. There is no way to make anyone else understand the sacrificesmade unless they have lived under the threat of certain death for days upon days

on end. there aren't truly proper words for me to share the darkness that daredtouch my heart and the others like me. My fellow veterans.

I only feel most comfortable around other warriors and veterans. Its hard for meto think others will understand. Its hard for me to be "normal." I suppose it can

be compared to being selected by God for a mission like Paul, Moses, or Johnthe Baptist. None were allowed the normal life after they had been witness tothings more important than their own life, their own family, their happiness.

Veterans understand me and yet are the least likely to pity me. We are a hard-ened bunch of blessed sheep that have survived the valley of the shadow ofdeath. We have tasted the grass within that valley and it has changed us from

sheep into wolves. Yet here returned to the farm we must be sheep again. Onlywhen we look into the eyes of those that know and understand do we dare speakof the days before.

I am so thankful to God for blessing me with the opportunity to be here today,to have survived, and to heal. I am healing right now. I am blessed because of

him. I know that greater warriors than me fell on the battlefield yet he carriedme through. I am grateful for his desire to still have use of me.

I will end by telling you all that you read the Psalms of David wrong. Davidwas a hardened veteran of too many harsh wars. He had survived Saul's multi-

ple attempts to take his life. The 23rd Psalms is the prayer of a veteran of war.

A prayer of a survivor. He does not say it meekly. he shouts it with tears of joyand pain running down his eyes. He says it remembering the valley, He says itwith reverence remembering the table that was set before him even as theywished him dead time and time again. Yes, David pounds his chest as he says,

(Psalms 23:6)"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of mylife: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever!" It was God that

brought me home. It was God that carried me through. It was God that protectedme and not the armor that covered me. It was, is, and shall be God that keepsme in the house of the LORD.

I am achangedman that hassacrificed myinnocence so

that othersmay havepeace !

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will

dwell in the house of the LORDfor ever!" (Psalms 23:6)

By Justin A. Gwynn

Page 13


14/14

God has shown his graceand mercy toward us,as we begin a new

year. Let us continue with acommitment to do more thisyear than we did last year.

Last year was a continuous spiri-tual and membership growth forus at St. James. Pastor Learson

reported that we had a total of 7new members to join our churchwithin one year. That provesthat God is good and continuesto bless our church, community,

and all his children around the

world.

Last year, we started the year of

with an awesome Womens DayProgram as well as a spirit-filled

Prayer Breakfast followed byand outstanding Choir Anniver-sary (even in the transition of

new musicians). We continue tospread the Gospel through praise and worship.

In May we had a beautiful Memorial Day in spite of a dayfilled with rain. Also in May we stepped out on faith and had

our very first Mother/Daughter Banquet. Each occasion was ahuge success.

Happy ew Year and greetings to My St. James Church Family.


Our Youth Department sponsored a real Fall Festival and

it was a job well done and much appreciated.

Lets keep up the work we have started and praise God foall his blessings. Let us continue to be the hands and feetof Christ.

I want to thank all our church family, friends and our for-mer members who continues to support the efforts, pro-grams and activities at St. James UMC.

I would like to thank Pastor Learson and the entire churchfamily for their prayers, encouragement and support. I

have tried to move on in this last year after losing the verybest part of my life. On Sept. 13, 2012, my husband Her-man Nixon, of 47 years, my best friend and confidantemade his transition into eternity.

As I travel on this journey I ask that you keep me in your

prayers. Thank You!

By Sis Clara ixon

For his anger is but for a

moment, and his favor is for a

lifetime. Weeping may tarry forthe night, but joy comes with the

morning. Psalm 30:5

Sis Clara ixon

Week of Christian UnityJanuary 14, 2014NEW YORK, NY -- The Office of Christian Unity and In-terreligious Relationships (OCUIR) of the Council of Bish-ops is encouraging United Methodists around the world toparticipate in the annual Week of Prayer for Christian UnityJanuary 18-25, 2014

.There are so many church-dividing issues to contend withthese days that many of us are very weary, said the Rev.Stephen Sidorak, ecumenical staff officer for the OCUIR.During this special week set aside for intentional and com-munal prayer for Christian unity let us appreciate oncemore our need to rely less on ourselves and more on theLord to show us the denominational and ecumenical wayforward.In addition to constant prayer during the designated week,Christians are encouraged to continue prayer for unitythroughout the entire year, especially at noon each Friday.

St James UMC Jan 2014 Newsletter

Documents

Transcript of St James UMC Jan 2014 Newsletter