EPWORTH UMC
"Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."
EPWORTH UMC
"Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."
SUNDAY . SEPT 26 . 10am
Traditional Worship Service at 10am
Join us in-person or worship with us via livestream this Sunday!
TRANSFORMED LIVING COMBINED STUDY . BEGINS OCT 3
From Pastor Bill Roberts ...
What can you name that means so much to you that you would trade everything to possess it? That is a powerful thing to ponder. Answering that question reveals something about us, about what truly matters most in our lives.
I suppose there are many answers we could give that might seem acceptable. Many would say they would trade everything for their children. Others might say their spouse. Even others might say their parents or their siblings or their friends. I suppose we can understand being motivated to trade everything for the ones we love most.
Others might have a different sort of goal. They might trade everything for their career. Don’t we all want a doctor that is fully committed to his or her work? Or, it might be a more competitive goal. Haven’t we all admired the commitment and sacrifice of Olympic athletes or those chosen few among athletes who break into the pros? We also give out awards to those who make the best films, the best Broadway shows, or the best albums. Didn’t these performers make sacrifices in order to be the best? They have all traded so much to achieve greatness, some of them trading it all.
So again I ask, what means so much to you that you would trade everything to possess it? What is number one on your list? Of all your priorities, what stands above everything else?
Jesus once told a story about a merchant who, on finding a pearl of great value, went and sold all he had in order to buy it. And Jesus said that the Kingdom of Heaven is like that. Not only that the Kingdom of Heaven is like the pearl of greatest value. It is! But also that the citizens of that Kingdom are like the man who gave away everything else to possess that pearl.
And so, I ask you again, what means so much to you that you would trade everything to possess it?
For too many of us, our life of faith is something we attend to for an hour on Sundays. And if we’re honest, many of us would skip that hour on Sunday when a “better offer” comes along! We may toss a few dollars we think we can spare into the collection plate. We zip into our pew in time for worship, and out again when the service is over, not to be seen at church again until next week. Or maybe the week after that. Maybe.
But how many of us would trade everything else to possess all that the church truly represents?
Think of what we have traded to chase the vacant dreams of this world. Too many have come to believe that dissatisfaction is the only thing that can define their lives today. We possess more things, chase after more trinkets, seek more ways to fill the void in our lives. And yet, we make no lasting commitment to that which truly changes lives, to the Kingdom of Heaven which is available for us all to possess.
This is a big problem, but it is not a hard one to fix. All it takes is commitment to that which matters most, to that which fills the emptiness in our lives, to that which leads to real relationships within our families and beyond, relationships built upon the sure foundation of Jesus’ love. To help fix this problem, we at Epworth UMC are joining together in a shared study called Treasures of the Transformed Life: Satisfying Your Soul’s Thirst for More. We have a very enjoyable yet very meaningful book for you and your family to share. I hope you will join us in the daily devotional readings found in that book. And, I hope you will join us for our special combined Sunday School beginning October 3. Together, we will seek after the pearl of great value, learning what real commitment means for you and your family. Together we will find the treasures that only our God can give. We hope to see you there!
Adult Sunday School
Small Group with Pastor Bill
Wonderful Wednesdays
A Sunday School class for adults meets at 9am on Sundays in the fellowship hall. Moving forward, other classes and small groups may form, but for now we look forward to re-establishing this ministry one gathering at a time.
Wonderful Wednesdays
Small Group with Pastor Bill
Wonderful Wednesdays
Wonderful Wednesdays is a mid-week opportunity for all ages to come together for a small meal, fellowship and Bible Study. We look forward to getting started this Wednesday. Meal will begin at 5pm in the fellowship hall. Adult Bible study and activities for children are from 6pm-7pm.
Small Group with Pastor Bill
Small Group with Pastor Bill
Small Group with Pastor Bill
Beginning Wednesday, Sept 22 Pastor Bill will host a Bible study as part of the Wonderful Wednesdays line up. Other than your Bible, there is no curriculum to follow. There is no set theme. This tried and true method has worked well for Pastor Bill; select a passage of scripture, have the group prayerfully read, then discuss the meaning God reveals for us through his holy word. Expect laughter. Expect deeper insights. Most of all, expect to meet God here in our midst as God blesses us with his truth.
Elijah Bible Study
UMM Coffee & Doughnuts
Small Group with Pastor Bill
This 7-session study takes us through the life and times of the prophet Elijah and examines how the fiery faith you desire is being fashioned by God in your life right now.
This study begins Wednesday, September 15 at 6pm
Lay Servant Training
UMM Coffee & Doughnuts
UMM Coffee & Doughnuts
Registration is open for the Metro District Lay Servant Ministry Training which will be held October 16 and 17, 2021 at Central UMC, 6030 Albemarle Road, Charlotte.
Basic and two advanced classes will be offered. Class size is limited and once registration reaches capacity for each classroom, it will be closed. We have fewer persons per room in order to provide as much space as possible between students.
UMM Coffee & Doughnuts
UMM Coffee & Doughnuts
UMM Coffee & Doughnuts
The United Methodist Men meet on Wednesday mornings at 9am for coffee and doughnuts at the picnic tables outside of Widenhouse. This is simply a time for men to have conversations and enjoy the company of friends. We'd love to have you join us!
MESSY CHURCH . SUN SEPT 26 . 4pm
September’s Messy Church “Trusting is Believing” will be on the story of Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52); a blind man sitting on the side of the road - overlooked by everyone except Jesus. We’ll begin with a time of worship in the sanctuary then move on to break out groups. There are meaningful activities and discussions for all ages.
PROJECT EDUCATION HONDURAS SEEKING DONATIONS
Our team of seven will be returning to Copan in the western part of Honduras the beginning of October. We are seeking donations of school supplies and OTC medications to be taken to Honduras. Items can be dropped of in the welcome area outside the sanctuary.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
- Scissors
- Crayons
- Pencils
- Folders
- Construction paper
- Erasers
OTC MEDICATIONS
- Cold & flu medication
- Acetaminophen
- Ibuprofen
- Antacids
- Kids vitamins
PORT-A-PIT CHICKEN FUNDRAISER . FRI OCT 15
Our Flock preschool will host its Fall port-a-pit chicken fundraiser on Friday, Oct 15 from 11am-5pm. Tickets are $12 per plate.
TAKE OUT ONLY.
TRUNK-or-TREAT . SUN OCT 31 . 5:30pm
Epworth invites our community to its annual Trunk-or-Treat on Sunday, Oct 31. Tons of games, goodies and fellowship for all ages.
SEEKING DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES
This is a part time position, with a benchmark of 20 hours per week. The Director of Youth Ministries develops and supervises a comprehensive program in Christian discipleship for the youth of Epworth UMC, Concord, NC.
The Director of Youth Ministries is to guide, equip and assist the implementation of a program of spiritual formation, worship and mission.
Resume and references may be sent to kkaser-odor@wnccumc.net
Questions? (704) 786-6183
