Posts by Clifton Murphy (Page 4)

Looking toward Sunday… Sermon Series in the Gospel of John The Bread of Life: How to Handle Picky Eaters John 6: 41-51 Special Music by Ellen Peterson “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.” from the Bishop Desmond Tutu, 20th century “I don’t preach a social gospel; I preach the Gospel, period. The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is concerned for the whole person. When people were hungry, Jesus didn’t…

Looking toward Sunday… Before we get to Sunday, I hope to see you tonight at the YMCA for bowling and pizza! 5:30 – 7:30… even if you are not a bowler, come on out anyway! This Sunday, we begin a 5-week sermon series on The Bread of Life from John’s gospel. Last Sunday we saw Jesus, assisted by a young boy, feed the 5000. This Sunday we will continue in this passage, being reminded that we all are hungry in…

Sunday, July 29nd TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Looking toward Sunday… July 29 we complete our series on David. This week’s scripture comes from 2 Samuel 11: 1-15. We have seen David at his best, now we see him at his worst…Is he turning into the kind of giant God once helped him to slay? Our message is “Becoming Goliath.” 10:00 Worship in the chapel Intercessory Prayer Circle at front of Chapel THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR CHURCH THIS SUNDAY Liturgist:…

Sunday, July 22nd NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 10:00 Worship in the chapel…no Sunday school Intercessory Prayer Circle at front of Chapel 11:00 CHURCH-WIDE BRUNCH {Fellowship Hall} Hosted by the Welcoming Task Force Everyone is invited to attend! THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR CHURCH THIS SUNDAY Liturgist: Jeremy Peterson Greeters: Clifton & Harriette Murphy Ushers: Ron Hutcheson, Keri Hartle, Ashlee Snider, Rich Johnson, Edgar Miller Youth Usher: Haylee Hutcheson Plate Attendant: Walter Hoffman Sound Technician: James Gray Acolyte: Jacob Hartle Bible…

REV. HORTON ON VACATION Rev. Horton will be on vacation through July 9th. Rev. Mike Hooper (336-243-2440 or 336-590-0551) or Rev. June Grubb (336-248-5668 or 336-240-2503) will be on call in case of emergencies. You may also call the church office. Our guest minister July 8 will be Reverend Lawrence (Larry) Bolick. Rev. Bolick is a retired UCC Clergy and Chaplain of Abernethy Laurels Retirement Community in Newton. He is married to Dr. Edith Bolick, Professor of Sociology at Catawba…

Looking Toward Sunday… We begin the summer worship schedule with worship in the Chapel at 10am. No Sunday School or adult discussion class. Because we will be in a smaller space together and several folks have sensitivities, please leave off your perfume/cologne or use very sparingly. In scripture, we look at 1 Samuel, where God tells Samuel to go and find the next king. Samuel looks for all the usual characteristics…strong, mighty, etc., but God tells Samuel to choose someone…

Looking Toward Sunday… I am looking forward to being with you in the great outdoors at Wildcat Mountain on Sunday! We will worship with the trees and birds, listening as all Creation praises God! THE WEEK AHEAD Monday, June 11 11:00am Staff Meeting Wednesday, June 13 11:00am Friendship Club’s trip to All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm in High Point and Lunch SPECIAL NOTE: The office will be closed today because the staff will be on the trip to the butterfly farm. Thursday,…

Looking Toward Sunday… Do you ever have trouble falling asleep? So did Samuel and his mentor Eli… Join me in worship as we explore just who was keeping the two of them awake in the middle of the night and why as we hear “The Call of Samuel” in 1 Samuel 3: 1-20. We will also celebrate Graduation and recognize Holt Biesecker upon his graduation from High School. At 9:45am we hold our final Discussion Class on the series about…

Looking toward Sunday… It’s Pentecost! The day we celebrate the Holy Spirit, and it’s one of my favorite days in the life of the Church! The Day of Pentecost recalls the story of our ancestors when God poured out the Holy Spirit on a diverse group of disciples causing absolute chaos, which in turn led to the beginning of the church as we know it! In worship we will · Hear an update in the Building an Inclusive Church process.…

Looking toward Sunday… Who do you keep in your prayers? For whom do you pray daily? This Sunday we finish our time in John’s gospel. We are still looking into the conversation Jesus has with his disciples on the eve of the last night of his life. Preparing them for what is next after he is gone, he ends this discussion with a prayer. John 17:6-19 Come Sunday, and hear The Other Lord’s Prayer. THE WEEK AHEAD Monday, May 14…

Looking toward Sunday… I saw this bumper sticker recently… And I thought, “Really? Is it really that simple? Because we as a people seem to do this poorly. Myself included.” Sunday, we continue in John’s Gospel 15: 9-17. It’s a continuation of the passage we read last week. This is a snippet of a large conversation Jesus has with his disciples before he leaves. He tells them, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved…

Looking toward Sunday… In what ways do you feel insecure? Fill in the blank, “Am I _______ enough?” Our culture seems to celebrate shaming and criticizing so much that it is easy to lose our sense of confidence and self-worth. This Sunday, we continue in our Life Resurrected Series, celebrating all the ways in which resurrection is possible in our lives. Many of us are in need of rising up from that which holds us down. Hopelessness, doubt… April 22…