Fall Forward


I know, I know.  I got it wrong.  Backward.  It’s “spring forward and fall back.”  That’s how you remember daylight savings time.  So, I’m just wrong. 

Except I’m not talking about DST!  I’m talking about us.  About Southport UMC.  About the fact that we’ve got plans and hopes and dreams.  We’re moving forward.  Right now we are talking about our mission.  We are equipping ourselves to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  I hope that you’re a part of our worshiping community as we recognize that the community is “more ready than we realize” or to use Jesus’s words “the fields are white for harvest.”  This isn’t a hard sell; it is satisfying souls.  This isn’t a scare tactic for eternity, this is community building, relationship cultivating, family supporting, joy sharing labor in the vineyards of the Lord.  Join us for worship this September and for further study and conversation on Tuesdays at 2:30pm or 7pm. 

But we aren’t done there.  In October we consider our impact on our community in a different way as we take up the Prophet Micah’s famous question: “What does the Lord require of us?”  And we’ll consider resources and strategies for Doing Justice, Loving Mercy and Walking Humbly with God.  Not just for our own sake, for our own souls, but for the soul of the world in which we live. 

Then in November we’ll come back in house and ask how will we continue to do the work we are called to do, to be the community we are called to be, and how will we care for the facility in which we work and worship?  Our Stewardship emphasis this year has some incredible good news and some sobering realities about our current situation.  We will face our real challenges secure in the knowledge that God’s got this!  And we will be blessed in our giving once again.  I’m confident in that.

Then as fall turns to winter, we’ll celebrate the presence of Emmanuel once again as we learn to worship with our whole hearts once again.  And all along the way there will be opportunities to learn and to serve, to connect and to grow, to fellowship and be renewed. 

I believe that we will indeed fall forward this year as we seek to continue to become the church we are called to be.

Shalom,
Pastor Derek


Popular posts from this blog

A Letter from Pastor Chris

Dear Friends,            I am excited about the many things that are happening at Southport UMC this month.   There are many things going on at Southport UMC as we continue in ministry to the Southside of Indianapolis, but I would like to highlight a few opportunities, as well as share some information about changes that are coming this month. First of all, because of storm damage we are getting a new roof. This work will begin after September 8 and will take around a week to complete (weather permitting). Secondly, we will begin signups for Journey Groups this month, and I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to grow in your faith through a small group. Finally, at the end of this month we have a great opportunity to share with our neighbors through the Community Fall Festival.   Over the last couple of months we have been learning in worship that we need to share our faith story, and we can only do this through building relationships. Community Fall Festival is an
Read more

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

You may or may not know that in the past, Southport United Methodist Church has been able to offer a small scholarship to assist with college expenses.   The scholarship was made possible by some past members of SUMC:   Mary & Riley Lynch. We haven’t been able to offer the scholarship for a few years but are able to do so again. If you are interested or want more information, please contact Pastor Doug in the church office. Application deadline is July 15th, 2019.   A decision will be made at that time so there can be no applications accepted after that date.
Read more

SOUTHPORT UNITED METHODIST YOUTH GROUP

SCHEDULE ·   7/7/19-4 th of July Weekend-NO Meeting ·   7/14/19-‘Ice Cream Matters’-Picnic style supper, Ice Cream Treats at Dairy Queen-Bring Money for treats-Permission Slips REQUIRED, Frisbee Relay, Devotional ·   7/20/19-SERVICE PROJECT-Mayor’s Veteran Appreciation Picnic, Meet at SUMC at 9AM, Sign Up by 7/14/19-LIME GREEN T-SHIRT DAY, wear if you have-please, open to entire church and RHUMC Youth Group invited ·   7/21/19-‘WATER BLAST’-Grilled Skewers and Pie, Devotional and Water Birthday Party games ·   7/28/19- ‘LARNIN MATTERS’-Corn dogs and tater tots, Devotional and Relay Races ·   8/2/19-EVENT-Lock-In at SUMC, FAITH, FELLOWSHIP AND FUN—START TIME, TO BE DETERMINED-YOUTH WILL SERVE AT HOMECROFT EVENT, WILL MEET AT CHURCH FIRST,   Family Breakfast in the Underground at 9am on 8/3/19, Sign Up Due by 7/21/19, RHUMC Youth Group invited ·   8/4/19-Parent Meeting at 11AM in the Underground ·   8/4/19-‘Faith and Friends’-Casserole Night, Devotional and Board Game
Read more