General Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Harrisburg United Methodist Church

Our Lenten Journey

Written on February 15, 2022. Posted in Church Life, General. Leave a Comment

We live in a culture bent on definitions of a good life as continuous upward mobility–climbing ladders of prosperity with increasingly fabulous experiences that we can post to ever-more-likable social media accounts. We may comb the shelves of the self-help section in search of just the right formula to gain success. Perhaps we even gravitate towards spiritual leaders who promise great rewards if we only do “the right thing.” But life happens, right? Most times we are not moving upward but trying to repair the rung we’ve just slipped from. So what if we stopped climbing and started fertilizing, watering, and blooming right where we find ourselves? Welcome to a Lent of affirming a faith in which we are blessed, regardless, and where we can lean into embracing our “good enough” lives. Our Lenten Journey begins with Ash Wednesday Worship on March 2nd at 7:00pm in person and online.

Sunday, April 17, Easter 9 a.m. Worship

Sunday, April 17, Easter 11 a.m. Worship

Sunday, April 3rd, Fifth Sunday of Lent and Confirmation Sunday

9 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m Worship Service

Sunday, March 27th, Fourth Sunday of Lent – Guest Speaker Katherine Sherrell

9.a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Worship Service

Sunday March 20th Third Sunday of Lent “Lots of things can be Medicine”

9 a.m. Worship Service 11 a.m. Worship Service

On Sunday, we reflected together on Luke 13:1-9. Pastor Toni Ruth reminded us that sometimes in our lives bad things happen that have no connection to personal sin or righteousness, they are just bad things that happen. In our desire to understand why such things happen we can miss an important teaching from Jesus who invites us to keep our eyes not on others, but on what is happening in our lives right now and how can and will use even the hard things in our lives to draw us closer to His love. We can miss the call to repent- turn around – and find God’s grace waiting for us.

This Lent, what is going on in your life that is hard or that you’d prefer to not think about? What sin or behavior patterns are you stuck in that are keeping you from understanding God’s love for you? What “fertilizer” has come your way that God can use to tend the soil of your life with the medicine of tears, repentance, and struggle that leads to life?

Remember this poem that Pastor Toni Ruth shared and ask God to help you see your need for him in this season of your life.

Don’t surrender your loneliness
So quickly.
Let it cut more deep.
Let it ferment and season you
as few human
Or even divine ingredients can.
Something missing in my heart tonight
Has made my eyes so soft,
My voice
So tender,
My need of God
Absolutely
Clear.

Sunday March 13th Second Sunday of Lent. – So much is out of our control

On Sunday Pastor Toni Ruth invited us to reflect on Jesus lament over Jerusalem in Luke 13. “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it. How often I have longed to gather you as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing.” When we feel out of control or as though danger approaches, we can run around like chickens with their heads cut off, trying to get our needs met, trying to avoid pain or conflict, trying to ensure that the worst wont’ happen to us. The illusion of control is so helpful, but sometimes life hands us situations where we are deeply aware of all the things that we cannot control. In such moments we have a choice. We can run around frantic and aimless or we can allow God to gather us in, hold us close, anchor us through the storm. What keeps you from being willing to be gathered? What would it look like for you to stop your hustle, your frantic grasping for control, your agenda for your life and find that God is enough for you today? Find a moment today to be still, breath deep, and listen for God’s call for you to come and find your center amid the chaos under the shadow of his wings. Read Psalm 27 and offer your prayer to God for where you most need to be gathered to God’s love. Sunday Sermon – March 6th First Sunday of Lent

9 a.m Full Service, Contemporary – There will be a test!

11 a.m. Full Service Traditional – There will be a Test!

Power Steering –Devotions by Pastor Richard

Written on February 2, 2022. Posted in Devotions, General. Leave a Comment

Power Steering

Devotion by Pastor Richard

Last week I was cruising facebook, which can easily lead to very deep frustrations and discouragement with humanity. I did it anyway. Sometimes I just like to see how mean and ignorant people can be without a filter. At times it does drive me to prayer, which is a good thing, but I am sure God has to be more upset at humanity than I am. It is a good thing He is full of grace for us all!

While enjoying my plunge into the depths of human honesty and conviction on facebook, I did run across a meme my uncle has posted. It was a picture of an old car from the sixties and the caption read: “In my day, driving without power steering meant not having to go to the gym!” I thought it was great and so true! Then I thought, how many people under the age of 50 have ever driven a car without power steering? It did remind me of a story…

A few years ago when I served at my Florida church, we had a 55 passenger retired Trailways bus we used for trips. On one of our mission trips to the eastern hills of Kentucky we blew the engine. We were less than ten miles from our destination, crawling up the last of the hard mountain climbs to our destination and that poor old bus engine gave up the fight. She was dead on the side of the road. She was not headed back to the Sunshine state without a new motor.

Four months later we finally got the call from the Kentucky mechanic who had finally finished installing the new engine. It became my task to fly to Kentucky and bring our bus home. I flew to the nearest airport, which was still a two-hour drive to where the mechanic’s shop was. Someone from a church there came and took me to a place in the hills of Kentucky where I would never be able to find again! It was around 5 pm or so before I got behind the wheel to begin my one-thousand-mile journey home.

The bus started up just fine and I was on my way. I pulled out, got on the road and was doing my best to navigate the curving back roads trying to find the nearest interstate. I probably was a hundred miles into my journey and I felt the steering get more and more stiff. I was not sure what was going on until I got near the last turn before getting on the interstate, and I missed the turn. Doing a U-turn in a fifty-foot vehicle is tough. Doing that U-turn with NO power steering is something else all-together! I had driven a car without power steering before, it was more difficult, but not that bad. It just took a lot more turning and a lot more muscle strength. Driving a bus without it is a whole different experience!

I eventually made it to Asheville, where I was planning to stop for the night. I do not exactly remember how I got the big old bus into the parking lot at the hotel after driving six hours with no power steering. When I stood up to get out of the bus, I felt like my arms must have looked like the cartoon character Popeye! I was so stiff and sore I was not sure if I could pick up my overnight bag and check in at the hotel desk. I thought that if I needed an injection that night that no needle would be able to penetrate my huge and stiffened shoulders! It really took more than I realized out of me that night.

So, I am a believer in power steering! What an incredible invention! I cannot imagine driving without it now. We all take it for granted. You know, I think Jesus is very similar. I remember the part of my life without Jesus, no power steering. I also remember the larger part of my life with Jesus, with power steering. Looking back, I would have never made it this far in life without Jesus giving me love, hope and direction. Life without Christ would have been like driving that beast of a bus without power steering. Sure, I could have made it through life ok…, maybe? But having Jesus as that source of power in my life sure has made everything so much better, and so much less difficult. The problems and challenges were just more manageable because of Jesus. Big arm muscles might be cool, but nothing compares to a rich life in Christ. Where does your power source come from? For many it is family, maybe it is a career or money. Someone else’s might be control over their life or someone else’s. I just know that my best life is when I am in sync with where God is leading me and when I am relying on Christ to get me there!

I do not recommend driving a bus without power steering! I do recommend a life trusting and relying on Jesus!

Pastor Richard

Room In The Inn

Written on December 29, 2021. Posted in Church Life, General. Leave a Comment

Sign up link : https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e49a9aa23a13-room

We missed Room in the Inn last year, but it is back – with a few changes. We hope you will participate.

Per Roof Above’s guidelines, all neighbors participating in RITI who are 12 & up will have to show proof of vaccination to be assigned to a church. volunteers in the presence of our RITI neighbors must also be fully vaccinated. It’s how we love our neighbors in return of them being vaccinated.

We will be using a Sign Up Genius, ((click here to sign up), for all volunteers this year, look for the positions marked [ALL]. Please understand that if we reach a week and we can’t fill all thevolunteer positions, we will inform Roof Above we won’t be able to continue to offer RITI at Advent on Monday nights for the rest of the 2021-22 season. If you need help signing up, please contact Megan at 704-287-6680.

We will need volunteers each Monday night for: Set up, Help in the kitchen to serve and clean up, Transportation Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning, Provide Dinner, Hot To Go Breakfast& Bag Lunches, Pillow Treats, Underwear & T-shirt Distribution, Sleepover, Transportation of Laundry, Washing Blue Blankets, & morning clean up.

We will host 10 neighbors each week and as we have in years past we will welcome anyone assigned to us; men, women & children.
We will limit the number of people in the building so only those who sign up will be who we expect to be there.
We will have all volunteers sign in as you enter the gym, for contact tracing purposes.
We will not sit at the tables and join our neighbors for dinner and conversation. While everyone is eating and masks are off Roof Above suggests we not have social time, but after dinner when masks are back on — yes.
We will not offer a prayer service but will continue to put out prayer requests at the table.

Our church is also responsible for a women’s underwear drive. Underwear of all sizes is appreciated. Please put any donated underwear in the drawers in the room behind the sanctuary.

Thanks for your continued support of this mission.

What was the best Gift you’ve received?

Written on December 17, 2021. Posted in Devotions. Leave a Comment

What was the best gift you received this past Christmas? Was it an expensive present? Was it something that was very thoughtful from a friend who knows you well? A great friend of mine gave me two cozies that had the logo of one of my favorite hockey teams and I use them every chance I get! Maybe your best gift was a little more intangible, like a note from a loved one or maybe you were able to spend time with family you have not seen in a while. For me it was great spending time with my step brother and his family that we do not get to see very often.

Gifts come in all shapes, sizes and varieties. They can be acts of love and kindness. They can be unexpected presents and presence. Sometimes the greatest gifts are just gifts of your time. Gifts are great, they are meant to build up another person. Gifts tell us we mean something to someone else. They are so important, and they do not always have to be stuff.

Do you realize that God gives us gifts? Sure, He gives us the air we breathe, sunshine, and yes even snowy wintery weather that allows us to take a break! He meets our needs and gives us the greatest gift of all, His Son Jesus! Yes, God is a very generous giver, and we can learn so much by recognizing and thanking God for all His precious gifts.

There is even more. God gives special gifts to all who believe in Him, we call them spiritual gifts. These gifts are special in the fact that their whole purpose for us to use and build up God’s Kingdom. In other words, these gifts He gives us allows and equips us to help each other participate fully in living out God’s call in our lives. I know of two friends whose gift is generosity and they are such a blessing to so many people. Our pastors’ have gifts they use every Sunday morning. I have gifts that help me to work with children and teenagers.

You also have gifts and they are incredibly important. We are starting several groups in the church that are focusing on discovering and using your spiritual gifts. I would love to see you begin to explore or deepen that part of your walk with Christ. When we as a body begin to use our gifts, incredible things happen! We are given the opportunity to accomplish things for God that we have not even dreamed of yet. Even if you are not a part of our congregation, there are lots of resources out there that can help you begin to see those gifts God has given to you and wants you to use to shine for Him!

Next week I will tell a story of someone who had a gift and was very practiced at using it.

Pastor Richard

Christmas Eve

Written on October 6, 2021. Posted in General. Leave a Comment

We invite you to join us for

Christmas Eve Worship, Dec. 24th

5:00 pm Worship around the Manger – A service for families with preschool aged children, this 30 minute services invites us into the story of Christmas in word and song that any age will enjoy. We share the Lord’s Supper together and lift the glowing light of God’s love to the world.

*************

7:00 pm A Service of Candlelight and Communion – This traditional service of worship invites the whole family to hear and celebrate the Christmas Good News. We celebrate communion and sing with the Heavenly Hosts!

Nursery care is provided for those under 3.

*************

11:00 pm Quite Candlelight Communion All the hubbub is stilled, children are tucked in bed, and the silence of this night descends. This quiet service invites you to ponder the mystery of this holy night as we hear the story and break bread together.

************* ************* *************

Christmas Eve Offering

The Missions Committee has designated $2,500 toward the Christmas Eve offering. Missions has challenge us to match these funds.

Niner United and Kentucky Tornado Recovery through the United Methodist Committee on Relief will be the recipients of this offering.

News & Events