Southport UMC Newsletter

Dear Friends, As we embark upon a brand new year I think it would be good to reiterate the mission and vision of Southport United Methodist Church.   In 2015 we are continuing to emphasize the call of Jesus to all Christian churches to reach beyond ourselves and out into our communities with the message of Jesus that can heal our hearts and set our lives in the right direction. Our mission continues to be “to make new disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of our community and the world.”   The goal and focus of the church is to create new disciples for Jesus.    We do this because Jesus commanded us to do it and we do it because we love people, and the best thing for people is to come to know Jesus. The vision of Southport United Methodist Church is to help those new disciples grow in their discipleship through the discipleship pathway of CONNECT – GROW – SERVE – GIVE .   We want to give people opportunities to connect to God through the grace of Jesus Christ,

In February and March of 2015, we will have an all-church study that will be used in all of the Journey Groups that occur during that time period.   We will start signing up for Journey Groups in January. This all-church study will be called The God Who Speaks.  It will be seven weeks in duration, starting the week of February 1 and will coincide with the sermon series also called The God Who Speaks.  We will have large group teaching sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and will also have Journey Groups that meet at other times as well. The following topics will be covered: How does God reveal Himself? How do we respond to God's revelation? What happens when we disregard God's word? What can we learn from Christ's response to the word of God? Why is it important to trust the word of God? Why should we submit to the word of God? We need to learn to listen and understand God's word. I am personally anxiously looking forward to stud

Webster’s dictionary defines Jubilee as: 1.   a year of emancipation and restoration provided by ancient Hebrew law to be kept every 50 years by the emancipation of Hebrew slaves, restoration of alienated lands to their former owners, and omission of all cultivation of the land 2.   a special anniversary or a celebration of such an anniversary 3. and jubilation as a season of celebration Webster’s definition for Christmas says: a Christian holiday that is celebrated on December 25 in honor of the birth of Jesus Christ or the period of time that comes before and after this holiday But we know Jubilee Christmas as so much more than a definition. In fact, we don’t limit where God can take us through the outreach ministry of JUBILEE CHRISTMAS. It is His guidance we must seek.  At first we saw Jubilee as a way to provide “a Christmas” to families who might not have one without us. This is a generous and loving act. It’s time to take what we do and why we do it and s

Another year is starting and we will continue to battle hunger in our community.  We invite you to help with another year of donations for Hunger, Inc. Food Pantry in Perry Township.  We collect food Thursday through Sunday, the first of the month as we take communion remembering that Jesus gave His life for us. In gratitude and thanksgiving we feed others. We are the hands and feet of Jesus on this Earth. Thank you for all the wonderful donations in 2014.  If you are interested in serving with the Food Drive Ministry, please contact the church office.  Your willing hands will be a great addition.

January– Peanut Butter/Jelly                July– Pancake Mix/Syrup February– Canned Fruit                       August– Cereal March– Cans of Tuna/other meats       September– Soups April– FOOD DRIVE for Feltcher Place        October– FOOD Drive for CROP WALK May– Canned Vegetables                   November– Saltine Crackers/Soup Beans June– Spaghetti/Sauce                       December– Canned Pastas

MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) please mark your calendars for the next MOPS meeting,    January 21, 2015,   from 6:30 p.m.—8:00 p.m. Child care is provided. For questions contact Tara Walters at 784-9508 or tara@sumc.org .