Exponential 2011 - Orlando

I thought that I would write about my experience at Exponential Conference. I have been at this conference since Tuesday and we leave to come back home tomorrow. It has been a great time away with 20 pastors and we have been learning a lot about the missional church. If anyone is interested in discussing what that is ----- we will need to get together and have a cup of coffee and I will explain it. But the essence of it is this: the church is to look at itself as a mission outpost, rather than a building. Here are some of the highlights so far.That is a picture of a cool system that doesn't need a projector. I have projectors on the brain lately.That is supposed to be a picture of Rick Warren. I was in a Bible Study that he taught on Isaiah 49.We went to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville for Dinner on Wednesday night. We ate on the Porch of Indecision ---- not exactly sure what that means.This is the stage for the main part of the conference ---- they had three screens. There were over 4000 people in attendance.We went to the mall and I was really digging on this seating. I have had furniture on the brain as well.And plant decor.Profound statement at the mall. I think this is one of those moments where we should say: "Now that will preach." Or how they say it in Texas: "Now that dog will hunt."Not totally sold on the marketing strategy ------ and we did look around briefly for the brochures ----- I figured they were too small :-)This was the grill for a nice SUV of a lady that rode through a swarm of "Love bugs" in Sarasota, Florida. That just feels like it is a lot of bugs.

Colossians 3.1-4

Happy Resurrection Day. This Easter Day we will be focusing on Colossians 3.1-4. It starts out with this verse: "So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." Because Christ was raised — we are raised as well. And if we have been raised then why would we seek the things on earth — instead, let us seek the things above. Since we have died and have been raised from our death as new creatures — why would we turn to our old ways? This is a terrific time to remember that we have been claimed by the Lord through the baptismal waters. That Jesus has laid claim to your life. Are there things that you need cast aside to walk in that resurrected life?

Holy Saturday

This is Holy Saturday of Holy Week. We will be having our Holy Saturday - Scripture Reading and Prayer Service today. It will be on Saturday, April 23rd at 12noon. It says in the creed: "was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell." At this service we will have a time to listen to the scripture readings and to meditate on God's Word. We then will have a time of prayer at the altar where there will be a time of candle lighting. All are invited to come.

Stations of the Cross - Good Friday Service

Last night we had our Maundy Thursday Service. I would like to invite you all out for tonight's service as well. Tonight is our Stations of the Cross Service - Good Friday Service. At this service we will begin in the sanctuary and continue to a total of 14 stations. At every station there will be scripture reading. We will be traversing the church yard. There will be seating at some of the stations. In this service we follow Jesus on his way to his death on Golgotha. This service is on Friday, April 22nd at 7pm at Warren's Grove. See you then.

Maundy Thursday

This Thursday we are having our Maundy Thursday service. This will be on Thursday, April 21st at 7pm. Tonight we will be focusing on Exodus 12.1-14. In these verses the Lord instructs Moses and Aaron on how to observe the Passover. During the Passover the Israelites would remember how the death angel passed over every home that had the blood of the lamb smeared on the door posts. In verse 11 the Lord instructs the Israelites to eat the passover lamb this way: "This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord." During this portion of Holy Week we are reminded that we are to be prepared to follow the Lord's leading. And as he leads us to Calvary ----- we should be prepared to go. On this night Judas betrays Jesus. He sells him out for a few pieces of silver. Let us be prepared to follow our Lord ----- even in the midst of betrayal.

Holy Wednesday

This Wednesday we are having our Holy Wednesday service. This will be on Wednesday, April 20th at 7pm. This is an instructed communion service. In this service we will be learning why we do what we do in worship. Also, we will learn about the different aspects of the communion service and their biblical basis. Jesus says: "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4.23-24) Come and journey with Jesus ----- as we follow him to Calvary.

John 12.20-36

This Tuesday we are having our Holy Tuesday service. This will be on Tuesday, April 19th at 7pm. The scripture that we will be focusing on is John 12.20-36. In this text Jesus says: "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself" (verses 31-32). During this time, where we are journeying with Jesus to Golgotha, we are reminded that this long road to Calvary is one that ends with the death of our Lord. But in that death the ruler of this world is driven out, the people of this world are drawn to the cross, and the judgment of this world is executed. From the cross, Jesus invites all to his bleeding side. For it is by his wounds that we are healed. We proclaim Christ crucified ---- which is the power of God for salvation.

Isaiah 42.1-9 & John 12.1-11

This Monday we are having our Holy Monday service. This will be on Monday, April 18th at 7pm. The scripture that we will be focusing on is Isaiah 42.1-9. In this text the Lord says: "I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations" (verse 6). During this time, where we are journeying with Jesus to Golgotha, we are reminded that the Lord has blessed us to be a blessing. We are an instrument of God's mercy and grace. We are to be used by the Lord for the benefit of the world. We can see this in Jesus ---- where he reminds us that he came not to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20.28). As the Church, we are called to live for others. We are called to give ourselves away for the benefit of others. One way we will live this out tonight is by having a foot washing service. During this service we will be reminded that Jesus took upon himself the form of a servant and we are to go and do likewise (John 13.1-20). I invite you to come and follow Jesus ----- as we journey with him to Calvary.

Holy Week

Last year we tried something a little different at Warren's Grove. We decided to have services every night of Holy Week. Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter. It starts on Palm Sunday and then ends on Easter Sunday. They are typically called: Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. I was really excited about making this a part of our worship services last year, and I was pleasantly surprised at how many other folks got so much out of it. These are shorter services and communion is served at each service [except Good Friday and Holy Saturday]. I would encourage you to bring your whole family out to come and remember the passion of Jesus as we all journey with him to Golgotha. Below is the list of the services and you can find Warren's Grove by clicking on this link. On Sunday, April 17th at 8:45am & 11am we will have our Palm Sunday Service.
Monday, April 18th at 7pm we will have our foot washing service, communion will be served.
Tuesday, April 19th at 7pm we will have our healing & anointing service, communion will be served.
Wednesday, April 20th at 7pm we will have our instructed Lord's Supper, communion will be served.
Thursday, April 21st at 7pm we will have our Maundy Thursday service. This is where the altar is stripped. Communion will be served.
Friday, April 22nd at 7pm we will have our Stations of the Cross - Good Friday service. This will be in the sanctuary and church yard.
Saturday, April 23rd at 12noon we will have a scripture reading, prayer and candle lighting service.
Sunday, April 24th at 7am we will have our Easter Sunrise service on the Warren's Grove church lawn. This will be in conjunction with Lea's Chapel United Methodist Church. The Rev. James Jones will be preaching. Breakfast served by the Nurture Committee right after the service.
Sunday, April 24th at 8:45am & 11am we will have our Easter services.

Matthew 21.1-11

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on Matthew 21.1-11. This is Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It is truly a festive and emotional text. While at the same time it is a text that is foreshadowing Golgatha. Verse 10 really hits home for me: "When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, 'Who is this?'" Isn't this what we are all asking ---- who is this Jesus of Nazareth? Isn't he the carpenter's son? Isn't he the one that was born in the barn of Bethlehem? Isn't he the one that healed the blind man? Isn't he the one that raised Lazarus from the dead? Isn't he the one that was tempted by the devil? Here, we see Jesus riding in with a donkey and a colt (verse 7), and the crowds were over whelming. We are much like these crowds ---- willing to follow when it is festive and joyous ---- but when it involves the crucifixion, do we still follow?

SPRING

This is our Children from SPRING explaining their experience of being part of this children's ministry. This was from December 2010.

Crop Walk 2011

**If you cannot view the video, click this link.** We will be participating in Crop Walk in Uptown Roxboro. This is for the all people of all ages. We will start at Long Memorial United Methodist Church (address above) and follow the historic walking trail (2 times). This will be a total of 3 miles. Numerous churches from all over Person County will be participating in this event. Everyone is invited to participate in this opportunity to help stop hunger locally, nationally and globally. If you have not had an opportunity to get sponsors for this event ---- then please just bring a donation to go toward the Crop Walk. A light dinner will be provided by Long Memorial Church. If you would like to find out more information please follow this link: http://www.churchworldservice.org/site/TR/2011SpringCROPHungerWalk/TR-Spring2011?pg=entry&fr_id=12097 Come and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as we link arms together.

John 11.1-45

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on John 11.1-45. In this section of John, Jesus' friend Lazarus dies. And as a result of his death, and the grief that is surrounding the situation, Jesus weeps. He is moved with compassion and calls Lazarus to arise from the grave. In this story Martha was angry — Mary was angry — and Jesus was moved by their grief and their anger. His bowels are literally hurting as he weeps. In this passage we see the humanity of Jesus. That the God we serve is a God who weeps. A God who is moved with compassion for people that he cares for. Clearly, it is okay to show emotions and it is okay to be angry and weep. So the question I have for us is: Why do we sometimes try to put a cap on our emotions and feelings — when Jesus is the one who takes the cap off of his?