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First United Methodist Church

Will you?

8/17/2018

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Psalm 95. 6-7: Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

“Come let us…,” the Psalmist says.

When I was much, much younger (and dumber), someone from my home church saw me in the
grocery store. He said, “We’ve been missing you in church lately. Where’ve you been?”
 I felt guilty about not going to church but I wasn’t about to let on. I said, “Oh, I’ve been here and
there, doing this and that. I don’t have to be in church to worship God. I can worship God out on the lake, just
driving my car- anywhere. But thanks for asking.”

My friend wasn’t fooled. He said, “Scott, I know you can worship God while your fishing or in your
car. But, do you?

He had me there. No matter whether it is a church building, at the lake, or on the highway, it is difficult
to worship God while clinging to an exaggerated sense of your own self-sufficiency. Doing what I want, when
I want- how I want- is not an attitude that lends itself to worship no matter where you are. Those who
do worship though, truly worship, are also truly thankful. They understand that their life is a gift, not something
we can make on our own.

Church attendance and worship produce gratitude. It keeps us fully awake, aware, and alive, to God
the Giver. You can go to a concert, and no matter how great the music, you would miss something vital if you
were the only person present.

In that same vein, imagine trying to appreciate the full meaning of your life- with all of its highs and
low, twist and turns, beauties and sorrows- alone. Someone once described an atheist as a person with no one
to say “thank you” to when things are going well, and no one to complain to when its not. There are many
things in life that are, and perhaps, must be experienced alone. Usually those things have a sad quality about
them. All by itself, just the word “alone” has a daunting and tragic quality to it.

However, both the little and the large things of our lives have more significance when lived and
shared with others. Worship brings us together, with God and each other, where we may see for ourselves that
we are not alone, not really. We are never truly on our own. If there is no one else around you, God is.
​
There is great value to the realization that Christian worship- our faith- is not just a personal experience,
but something that belongs to the whole community- a community that includes people we don’t know
yet and spans the generations. That is because there are times when it is easy for me to believe, and there are
other times when it is not so easy to believe. It’s good to know that worshipping God does not always depend
upon what I believe, feel or understand, at any given moment. It depends upon God who cares and is really
there for us, and on the faith of His Church as a whole. Not just me.

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian anymore than
going to McDonalds makes you a cheeseburger.” That’s probably true.

However, not going to church-not worshipping God on a regular basis- makes it less likely that you
will ever want to be anything more than you already are, or believe any more than you already do- which is a
shame. The Lord has more joy, more life, to share with us all. It would be a shame to miss it by demanding to
be left alone.

 So, “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker, for he his is our
God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care (Ps. 95.6-7).

This then, is an invitation: To come and worship God with others who share this life with you. It’s not
a matter of can or can’t, should or shouldn’t. It’s a matter of will. Will you give yourself to something- Someone-
larger than yourself? Will you give yourself to Someone willing to lay down his life that we all might
live? Not can you.

Will you?

May God keep you in his care ‘til we worship again,
​Bro. Scott Brenton
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New Things

6/20/2017

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Hello Hazlehurst Methodists!
 
It's been a while since I last posted one of these. Let me update you on some new things happening at the church as well as some personal news. 
 
Our New Relationship with Philadelphia
 
This past Sunday was my first Sunday at Philadelphia UMC. That means that we are now on a charge with them. That doesn't mean a whole lot for our church as far as changes. The only logistical change is that we will be rotating Sunday evening services between FUMC and Philadelphia. We'll meet on Sunday evenings at their church the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month and we will meet at FUMC the 2nd and the 4th Sundays. They are really excited about joining together with our church. I believe that the UMC in Hazlehurst can be stronger as we join to do ministry together. 
 
Swing Bed Ministry
 
You will be hearing more about this soon, but we are about to begin an exciting new ministry with our hospital. Not long ago JDH started a Swing Bed Program, a Medicare program designed to provide skilled care to those needing extra time to heal. Sometimes their stay can be lengthy, causing loneliness and a disconnect from others. So we are going to be partnering with JDH to ensure that their patients have a great experience in our hospital. Vicki Roussert will be coordinating our new Swing Bed Ministry. Will we visit their once a week, providing them with fresh flowers, a visit, and prayer. If you would like to volunteer for this ministry please contact Vicki or Josh. The gospel is full of stories of healing and this is a chance for our church to participate in the healing ministry of JDH. I hope that you'll consider participating. We'll have a training meeting soon!
 
 D.Min Program

 
This summer I began my Doctor of Ministry degree program at Asbury Theological Seminary. This will be a three year degree program and I'm thrilled to be getting back into the classroom! I do a lot of my academic work here, but I'll have to go to campus for two weeks a year. I'll be headed up to Wilmore, KY on July 6th and will return on July 22nd. On those two Sundays that I'll be gone we will be in good hands. Retired UMC pastor, Larry Bird (not the basketball player!), will be preaching July 9th and our very own Sue Woodard will be preaching on the 16th. Be in prayer for them as they prayerfully prepare to preach. 
 
Also, don't forget about the Ice Cream Social this Sunday at 6pm. Bring your favor homemade ice-cream and something from home that you wouldn't mind giving away. No expensive gifts please! Gag gifts are preferred! Hope to see you there!
 
--
Rev. Josh Duckworth 
Hazlehurst First United Methodist Church

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A New Year, An Old Commitment  

12/29/2016

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Happy New Year!
 
There’s nothing like getting the chance to start over fresh! Whether 2016 was great or not so great for you, hearing “Happy New Year!” let’s us know that we get a shot to try it again.
 
On January 8th we will have a very special Sunday. This service will allow us to reflect on how faithful we were in 2016 and to re-commit ourselves to Christ and each other in 2017. As individuals and as a congregation, we will remember our baptisms. Now that doesn’t mean that we’ll be remembering the MOMENT that we were baptized. For many of us that moment happened sooooo long ago that we couldn’t remember if we tried. When we say that we are going to remember our baptisms, that means two things: 1. We will remember that we are God’s claimed children and #2. We’ll remember the commitment that we made to God. We will remember that we committed to serve God through our church with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness.
 
Prayers-How often do you pray? How often do you pray for your church? Prayer should be part of our everyday routine.
 
Presence-Will you commit to being in worship every Sunday out of the year? Or at least those Sundays that there’s not an emergency or you’re not out of town. That’s hardly unreasonable. Your presence isn’t just for your benefit but also for the benefit of others. At the center of being Christian is being part of a community. Many of us need to recommit ourselves to being present to God and each other in worship. There’s nothing that you’ll do throughout the week that’s more important.
 
Gifts-Our giving as a church in 2016 was incredibly strong. Thanks to everyone who gave faithfully, enabling our church to do its ministry.  But as we look towards 2017, will you commit again to giving of your resources to God just as you promised at your baptism?
 
Service-What other gifts has God given you? Are you a teacher? If so, how are you using that in service to God? Are you good at building things? What have you built for God’s kingdom? God has blessed all of us with gifts and is calling us to use those gifts for his kingdom. None of us should stand idle.
 
Witness-How often do you share your faith with others? How many people did you invite to worship this past year? 
 
So, how did we do in 2016? You might be proud of your commitment or you might be feeling a bit guilty, but the great thing about a new year is that we get to start fresh.
 
On January 8th I will challenge all of us to recommit ourselves to God fully. I encourage you over the next week to be prayerfully discerning what areas you need to work on as you recommit yourself to God. At the end of our service, we will pray the Wesley Covenant Prayer together. I encourage you to read over the prayer below to prepare for what you’ll be committing to.
 
I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put met to what you will, rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by you or laid aside by you,
enabled for you or brought low by you.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
you are mine, and I am yours. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.
 
 
Let’s start off 2017 committing ourselves to God!
 
Grace and Peace,
 Josh
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Back to Church Sunday Idea #5: You come!  

9/16/2016

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It's really easy for all of us to get out of the habit of coming to church. We get busy, we have family over, we go out of town a lot, at the lake, etc. etc. Why not make this Sunday the day that you come back?! You know how important church is , and you've been saying the last month. "This Sunday I'm going back!"  But then, something always come up.  I encourage you to make it a priority this week. Don't let "something come up."  See you Sunday!


--
Rev. Josh Duckworth 
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Idea #4: Send a card to someone.

9/15/2016

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I bet most of you have gotten a card from our prayer group that meets on Thursday morning. My granddad and grandma both spent some time in the hospital this past month. When they got home, a card from our prayer group was waiting on them in the mail. You wouldn't believe what that did for their spirit! It let them know that someone was praying for them. Someone cared about them. 
 
What do you think a card or letter from a church member would do for someone who hasn't been to church in a while? It would no doubt bless them and remind them of how much their church loves them. 
 
Consider sending a card to someone. It shouldn't be a "Where have YOU been?!" type of card, of course! But simply tell them, "We love you and miss you and hope to see you soon!"
 
Idea #5 tomorrow!
 
--
Rev. Josh Duckworth 

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​Idea #3: Invite a family member.

9/14/2016

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We all have family members who for whatever reason have fallen out of the habit of coming to church. Perhaps that's your husband, wife, child, etc. Maybe they have good reasons for not coming. Why not invite them back this Sunday! I'm sure that you've asked them so many times that you feel like you are nagging them, but don't give up! Keep inviting them. Keep sharing with them how important your church is to you. Keep telling them about the difference that being part of the family of God has made in your life. I'll be praying as you share your faith and love for your church with family this week!
 
Idea #4 tomorrow!

 
--
Rev. Josh Duckworth 

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Back2Church Idea #2: Invite someone to lunch after church. 

9/13/2016

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If there's someone who hasn't been to church in a while or a visitor, they are far more likely to come back if they feel a connection to their church. A growing church is one where people stay around after church to re-connect with people. A growing church is one where the people feel like a family and welcome newcomers to be part of the family. The preaching, the singing, and the music are important, but far more important is the community that connects people. I've never had someone tell me that they joined the church because of my preaching or because of the music. It's almost always because they felt welcomed. They felt like they found a church family. Let's make that our church this Sunday! 
 
Who will you invite out to eat Sunday?
 


--
Rev. Josh Duckworth 
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Top 5 Ideas for Back to Church Sunday

9/12/2016

2 Comments

 
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Hello First Methodist!
 
Next Sunday, September 18th, is Back to Church Sunday! We've had a great summer (hot, but great!), but now fall is almost here and that's the time to get back on schedule at church. I'm hoping to see all you in your places this Sunday!
 
This week I'm going to send out a daily email to you giving you ways to prepare for Back2Church Sunday! So here goes!
 
Back2Church idea #1: Invite someone to church this coming Sunday. 
 
Did you know that 82% of people would consider going to church if asked? (according to Tom Rainer's book, The Unchurched Next Door.)  
 
Who can you invite? Who will you see in the grocery store? Who will you talk to on the telephone? Perhaps a simple invitation could be the beginning of their lives being changed forever by encountering Christ. Let's all invite at least one person to church this Sunday!
 
Look for Idea #2 tomorrow!
 
--
Rev. Josh Duckworth 

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PAYING ATTENTION, BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY, FLOOD BUCKETS

9/6/2016

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Paying Attention
 
Happy Tuesday! I hope that everyone had a wonderful Labor Day weekend. This week, as we all go through the routines, I want to encourage you to pay attention. If you are like me, much of the day is raced through from church work to soccer practice to parenting. And at the end, I've missed so much along the way. Pay attention to the world around you. Pay attention to the people in the grocery store. Pay attention to God's beautiful creation. You never know what divine encounter God might have planned!
 
Also, pay attention to the needs of our community. In what areas are people struggling in Hazlehurst? And how can we as a church come alongside those in need to help? We'll have a discussion soon about this on a Wednesday Evening. Bring some ideas when we do!
 
Back to Church Sunday-September 18th
 
September 18th is National Back to Church Sunday. It's the day that symbolizes the end of summer for churches and a time to recommit to being faithful in worship. Here's what I'd like from everyone as we prepare for the day:
 
1. Come to Morning Worship. 
I know that many of us have been traveling a lot this summer. We've done some as well and it's been nice to get away to rest and rejuvenate our souls. Let this be the Sunday when we all recommit to being at worship. There's nothing more than meeting weekly with your church family to worship God and grow in your faith.
 
2. Invite someone to worship
Who have you not seen at church in a while? Why not pick up the phone and let them know about Back to Church Sunday?! Who do you know who's not a part of a church family? Invite them to come on September 18th. Invite invite invite!
 
3. Offer to pick up someone to bring them to worship
Who do you know that would love to come to worship, but can't? Call them and offer to pick them up and bring them to church.
 
Let's all be in worship together and bring someone on Back to Church Sunday!
 
Packing Flood Buckets on Wednesday, Sept. 14th
 
Through your great generosity, our church raised $700 to help pay for flood buckets! A group from Park Avenue United Methodist Church in Valdosta will be going to Baldwin, LA next week to help UMCOR and deliver flood buckets. Gina Morris will be leading an effort at our church to put together these flood buckets on Wednesday, Sept. 14th. Please contact her if you are willing to help her shop for supplies and set-up. Thanks for making a difference!
 
--
Rev. Josh Duckworth 

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Concerns About Lesbian Bishop

7/27/2016

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​Dear Church Family,
 
I feel the need to address some news that's been circulating on the media. I've received a few phone calls and wanted to address it with everyone. Over the last few weeks the Jurisdictional Conferences of the United Methodist Church met to elect bishops. The Western Jurisdictional Conference elected Rev. Karen Oliveto, a practicing lesbian, to serve as a bishop, our highest ecclesial office. While we have people in our churches with differing views on human sexuality, the act of electing a practicing lesbian as bishop was a direct violation of our Book of Discipline. The decision is being challenge in the UMC's version of a Supreme Court. Below I've copied three letters that address the topic: One from our resident bishop, one from the Southeastern Jurisdictional College of Bishops, and one from Bishop Ough, President of the UMC Council of Bishops.
 
 
If you have additional questions after reading this please feel free to call me at the church office.  
 
More information about the UMC's official stance can be found here.
 
Grace and Peace,
 
 
Pastor Josh
 
 
7/16/2016
A Pastoral Letter from Bishop James R. King, Jr.

July 16, 2016

Dear Beautiful People of the South Georgia Conference,

We are in a season where it is difficult to find people who are not anxious about the future, angry about the status quo, or generally find it difficult to have a deep sense of peace and joy about life. There is confusion, pain, and grief all around us.

I know many of you have questions about the action taken by the Western Jurisdiction in electing an openly gay bishop. Indeed, this election raises significant concerns and questions of church polity and unity.

Our Book of Discipline has clearly delineated processes in place for resolving issues even as complex and unprecedented as this election.

The South Central Jurisdiction was still in session when the election took place. They approved a resolution requesting a declaratory decision from the Judicial Council on whether "the nomination, election, consecration, and/or assignment as a bishop of The United Methodist Church of a person who claims to be a 'self-avowed practicing homosexual' or is a spouse in a same-sex marriage (is) lawful under The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church."

I would like to point you towards two statements that have been released, one from the College of Bishops during our Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference this past week, and one from Bishop Bruce R. Ough, president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, released last night following the election of Rev. Karen Oliveto in the Western Jurisdiction.

In a world where there is so much uncertainty, you can be in control of you and believe that God will take care of you because His certain and predictable love never ends. I encourage you to stay focused on Jesus Christ and on our love for one another as Christ loves us.

I ask you to join me in prayer as we strive to faithfully and compassionately fulfill our covenant with God, the church, and one another.

With love,

Your Bishop,
James R. King, Jr.
 
******************************************************

A Pastoral Letter from the Southeastern Jurisdictional College of Bishops to the United Methodists in the Southeastern Jurisdiction

July 12, 2016

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We celebrate the way God is working through you and the churches you represent to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Your witness is making a difference in the lives of individuals and communities around the world.  

We write this pastoral letter with hope in Jesus Christ. Yet our hearts are heavy as we recognize that as a result of our denominational conflicts we stand at a fragile place. Our Christian witness is defined, not by an absence of conflict, but by how we act in our disagreements.

Many in our church are working to change our Book of Discipline's current position on human sexuality, believing that it is exclusive, unjust and based on a misinterpretation of Scripture. These actions are being done through processes our polity has in place for making such changes.

Many others in our denomination are working to maintain our Book of Discipline's current position on human sexuality, believing that it is grace-filled, orthodox and biblically-based. These actions are also being done within the context of our church's polity.

Still others in our denomination, including some Boards of Ordained Ministry and Annual Conferences, are acting in nonconformity to our church's legislation about marriage and ordination standards. These actions are not within in the bounds of our church's polity.

We, the Southeastern Jurisdictional College of Bishops, grieve over the deep divisions in our beloved United Methodist Church. We recognize the pain felt both by those advocating for and those opposing change. We also view the acts of nonconformity as a violation of our covenant and as divisive and disruptive.

As a College of Bishops, we are fully committed to keeping the promises we made at our ordinations and consecrations, including:
* shepherding all persons committed to our care;
* leading our areas in mission, witness and service;
* ordering the church, including administering processes for handling complaints about violations of our Book of Discipline that occur within our episcopal areas;
* and seeking unity in Christ, including the work the General Conference requested the Council of Bishops do in relation to the Commission on Human Sexuality;
We invite you to join us in prayer as we strive to faithfully and compassionately fulfill our covenant with God, the church and one another. We also encourage you to stay the course in your covenant relationship with God, The United Methodist Church and each other.

In Christ,

The Southeastern Jurisdictional College of Bishops
******************************************************

A Statement from Bishop Bruce R. Ough, president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops

July 15, 2016

Bishop Bruce R. Ough, president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, issued the following statement regarding the results of the Episcopal election at the Western Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church, meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Western Jurisdiction has elected the Rev. Karen Oliveto of Glide Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco to serve as a bishop of The United Methodist Church. Rev. Oliveto has been described as "an openly lesbian clergyperson." This election raises significant concerns and questions of church polity and unity.

Our Book of Discipline has clearly delineated processes in place for resolving issues even as complex and unprecedented as this election.

The authority to elect bishops is constitutionally reserved to the jurisdictional and central conferences. Any elder in good standing is eligible for election as a bishop of the church. An elder under an unresolved complaint is still considered to be in good standing. Being a self-avowed, practicing homosexual is a chargeable offense for any clergyperson in The United Methodist Church, if indeed this is the case.

The Council of Bishops is monitoring this situation very closely. The Council does not have constitutional authority to intervene in the election or supervisory processes at either the annual conference, jurisdictional or central conference levels. And, we are careful to not jeopardize any clergy or lay person's due process by ill-advised comments.

However, we clearly understand the Church appropriately expects the Council to provide spiritual leadership and for bishops to uphold our consecration vows. In May, prior to General Conference, the Council again affirmed to keep the promises made at our consecrations, including, among others:
* Shepherding all persons committed to our care;
* Leading the church in mission, witness and service;
* Ordering the church including administering processes for handling complaints;
* Seeking unity in Christ, including the work the Council proposed to the General Conference in "An Offering for a Way Forward."
There are those in the church who will view this election as a violation of church law and a significant step toward a split, while there are others who will celebrate the election as a milestone toward being a more inclusive church. Others will no doubt have questions as we find ourselves in a place where we have never been. Still, others will likely see this election as disrupting or even rendering moot the purpose and work of the Commission currently being formed by the Council.

The Council continues to place our hope in Jesus Christ. Though conflicted and fragile, The United Methodist Church remains a strong witness to the transforming love of God and the saving grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We affirm that our witness is defined, not by an absence of conflict, but how we act in our disagreements. We affirm that our unity is not defined by our uniformity, but by our compassionate and Spirit-led faithfulness to our covenant with God, Christ's Church and one another.

As a Council, we continue to maintain that the proposal for a way forward and the formation of the Commission is the best path. An endless cycle of actions, reactions and counter-reactions is not a viable path and tears at the very fabric of our Connection. The current and incoming COB Executive Committees recently met by conference call to initiate the implementation of our Offering for a Way Forward and the formation of the Commission called for in the proposal. We will resume this work at our regularly scheduled meeting on July 19-20 following the Jurisdictional Conferences. A progress report will be released shortly after the meeting.

Our differences are real and cannot be glossed over, but they are also reconcilable. We are confident God is with us, especially in uncharted times and places. There is a future with hope.  We invite your constant and ardent prayers for the witness and unity of The United Methodist Church. May God guide us as we seek to maintain unity in the bond of peace.

Bishop Bruce R. Ough, President
Council of Bishops
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    Rev. Scott Brenton is the pastor of First United Methodist Church in Hazlehurst, Georgia.

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