Good News – January 2008

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.  Romans 12: 1

Surrender is the theme for our current worship series as we focus on the freedom of surrendering to God.  The messages are to teach us how and why to surrender to a loving God, a big God, the Prince of Peace!  The series will continue into the New Year, and over the next several months we will continue to discover how to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice, pleasing to God.  The topic in January will focus on “Surrendering Our Negative Past”, with the idea that as we start the New Year, it is so important to release the baggage of our past

Surrendering to our God is a daily journey.  Throughout the month, Reverend Ken’s email messages offer encouragement, support and guidance to those who are committed to surrendering more of their lives to God.  This connection also provides an opportunity for everyone within the group to share their testimonies and struggles.  Here are comments from those who have attended FX worship, and how it has impacted their lives.

 I have been attending contemporary worship at your church along with my friend. We both attend another church and enjoy coming to FUMC’s monthly worship because it give us a chance to really WORSHIP God without the distractions of “church business.” 

 The FX Worship was such a moving and touching experience for me, and for the first time ever during worship, I had tears of emotion.

 As we sang ‘Surrender,’ I looked around and saw so many arms raised to our Loving God; my eyes filled with tears and my heart was so full of emotion in that awesome moment.

 The greatest joy I get out of FX worship is fellowshipping with everyone and being in a time of reflection by singing songs of surrender.

 My husband was so moved by your message…he said he lifted his arms to sing Surrender at the end of the evening.  He said, “The weirdest thing happened.  I felt a huge weight lifted off me!  I don’t know what that was, but it was very weird!” He didn’t tell me last night, but told me as we were pulling out of the church parking lot this morning.  I shouted as loud as I could, “That was GOD!” He shook his head and said, “I don’t know what it was, but it was very strange feeling!”  I again said, “That was God!”

January’s FX Worship will include the big launch for our very first FX Children’s Night.  There will be singing, a lesson, games, and engaging crafts every month.  We hope that the children will say the same things that the adults are saying about FX.”  

 This ministry continues to grow and evolve with the addition of structured children’s programming and a fellowship dinner which is hosted by different Faith UMC members each month.  We hope you will join this exciting journey as we surrender together!  Upcoming dates for FX are:

•  Saturday, January 12
• Saturday, February 9
• Saturday, March 8

 Worship begins at 5:00 pm and is followed immediately by our fellowship dinner.

Good News – December 2007

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.   Romans 12: 1-2

Surrender is the theme for our latest worship series as we focus on the freedom of surrendering to God.   The topics have included surrendering to a loving God, and surrendering to a big God, and over the next several months we will continue to discover how to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice, pleasing to God.

 

Webster’s definition of surrender: to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand; to give up completely; to give oneself over to something as an authority.

 

During this worship series, we are offered the opportunity to commit to daily surrender: to surrender our issues, our bad habits, or our time to create new good habits.  Daily surrender includes a morning surrender prayer and an evening evaluation of the measure of our surrender (From 1 to 5, 1 being “I didn’t even think about it” and 5 being “I did whatever He wanted”).  Reverend Ken encouraged us to use a daily surrender prayer, and even shared his as an example: “God, I start this day not dependent on myself, but totally dependent upon you.  I live to serve you, your will, and your way.  Humble me, Lord, that I may be a pleasing sacrifice to you…to the glory of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”   

 

We hope you will join this exciting journey as we surrender together!  Upcoming dates for FX are:

 

• Saturday, December 8
• Saturday, January 12
• Saturday, February 9

  

Worship begins at 5:00 pm, lasts approximately one hour, and is followed by a time of food and fellowship.