It's A Wonderful Life Christmas

We all long for a “wonderful life”-- one filled with meaningful work, a thriving marriage, strong family bonds, lasting friendships, and the assurance that we’ll be cared for now and in the days ahead.  But what does it truly take to live that kind of life? What spiritual attitudes and practices can help us experience it fully?

This holiday season, we’re diving into these questions through a worship series titled “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Each week, we’ll explore biblical truths inspired by the beloved Christmas film starring Jimmy Stewart, discovering how its timeless lessons can guide us toward a life that’s truly wonderful.

November 30 – It’s A Wonderful Life:  ENVISION IT (Luke 21:25-36)

December 7 --  It’s A Wonderful Life: BE THANKFUL FOR IT (Luke 1:46-55)

December 14 – It’s A Wonderful Life: PREPARE FOR IT (Luke 3:1-6)

December 21 – It’s A Wonderful Life: REJOICE IN IT (Zephaniah 3:14-20) (our Choir Christmas Cantata)

December 24 (5pm & 7pm) – It’s A Wonderful Life: TREASURE IT (Luke 2:1-20)

What I'm Thankful For

 “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

This past year I have had much to give God thanks for.  Here are just a few.  I am thankful...

...for a wife, Trish, who models the love of God by loving me just as I am, warts and all!

…for our daughter Jennifer, who makes Trish and I proud, not only because of what she does but more importantly because of who she is and the beautiful woman of Godshe’s become.

…for our son-in-law Zach, who we are proud to call “son” because of the good husband he is for our daughter, and the great father he is for both of our granddaughters.

…for our granddaughter Hayleigh who is so full of life, energy, excitement and curiosity about the world that she is discovering at age 5.

…for our granddaughter Hannah who is full of passion for life, compassion and love for others, and her ability to see joy in all around her at nearly age 11.

...for parents who raised me in church to love, understand, and eventually follow the ways of God.

...for a church family who loves, supports, and prays for both my family and myself daily.

...for all of my fellow staff members – Janet, Andy, Ali, Cindy R, Thomas, Carolyn, Cindy J, Dale, Julie, and Nina -- who, together with me, share in the cause and work of Christ through our church.

...for Sunday School, Bible study, and small group facilitators and leaders who live out their faith in the selfless way they teach and/or lead.

...for committee and ministry team chairpersons and members who give “above and beyond” to the work of Christ through their participation in and leadership of our church’s ministries.

...for the “behind-the-scenes” members of our Audio-Visual, Greeters, Security, Usher ministries, and our and Communion servers and preparers in the essential work that they do.

...for the members of our praise band, adult, and children’s choirs and our Agape Handbell choir members for the blessing and inspiration they share through their music.

…for all the staff of our church nursery who give tirelessly of themselves to make sure our children are safe and happy.

…for the staff and teachers of our Preschool, in keeping us in touch with the needs of the community that we are called to serve.

...for church members who roll up their sleeves and pitch in to be part of "the answer," rather than whining about what someone else is not doing to fix "the problem."

...for church members who are willing to make God a priority through their financial giving to His church.

...for fellow Christians who’re willing to step outside themselves by participating in serving and/or sharing in mission ministries both locally and overseas.

…most importantly, for God who gave his son for me to give me forgiveness and salvation when I didn’t deserve it, and for giving me life and hope in the midst of a hectic and mixed up world!

Of course, there’s many, many more, but have you “counted your blessings” lately?  When you do, I’m sure you’ll find that, like me, you have many things for which to “give thanks.”  This Thanksgiving holiday and for the entire month of November, I invite you to join me in striving to live out our thankfulness!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

FOR WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL???

Giving Thanks for God's Saints

“To the church of God that is in... [Gwinnett County], to those who are sanctified in  Christ Jesus, called to be saints...” (1 Corinthians 1:2)

          “Rejoice in God’s saints, today and all days; 

a world without saints forgets how to praise.

           Their faith in acquiring the habit of prayer, their depth of adoring, 

           Lord, help us to share.

 

           Some march with events to turn them God’s way; 

            some need to withdraw, the better to pray.

            Some carry the gospel through fire and through flood; 

            our world is their parish; their purpose is God.

 

 Rejoice in those saints, unpraised and unknown, 

who bear someone’s cross or shoulder their own. 

They shame our complaining, our comforts, our cares; 

 what patience in caring, what courage, is theirs!

 

 Rejoice in God’s saints, today and all days, 

 a world without saints forgets how to praise.

            In loving, in living, they prove it is true: 

            the way of self-giving, Lord, leads us to you.”

                                           [--Fred Pratt Green, from the United Methodist Hymnal, #708]

November 1^st is “All Saints Day” on the church calendar -- a day for God’s people to celebrate and remember the lives of all God’s “saints”: those living now who call Jesus their Savior; and those who’ve gone on to be with the Lord this past year. 

I pray that you will join me this Sunday (November 2nd) as we celebrate the lives of all God’s “saints,” including a time to remember both those of our church membership and anyone else you want to name who has gone on to be with the Lord this past year.  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

To Name or Not to Name…

 “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29)

During our September 14th worship, I offered the following as part of my morning pastoral prayer (and this was also included as part of my weekly Pastor’s eNote to my congregation the Thursday following)…

 

“Gracious and loving God, our hearts are heavy with the pain and division we see in our world. We come to you, broken by the recent examples of both political violence in Utah, and violence once more in our schools in Colorado. We grieve for all who have been harmed, and are sorrowful for the hatred that infects our communities. We pray for all those affected: the victims, their families, and the first responders. Grant them your comfort and presence. Forgive us for our own complacency and for the times we have allowed anger and division to harden our hearts.  Inspire us to live out our baptismal vows, to renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, and to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves. Give us the courage to be agents of healing, peacemakers, and bridge-builders in a hurting world. Show us how to act with wisdom and courage, to turn away from violence and toward reconciliation. Mold our grief into a resolve to create a society where all people are treated with dignity and love. We ask for your spirit of peace to move in our communities, softening the hearts of those motivated by hate and empowering us to work for a safer, more compassionate world. In the name of Jesus, our Savior and Prince of Peace, we pray. Amen.”

 

Since then, I’ve received questions from a few congregants about why this prayer did not explicitly include the name of Charlie Kirk.  There are essentially two reasons for this:

 

(#1) First, corporate prayers like a morning worship prayer are designed to unify and bring people together around things that we can share in common.  Mr. Kirk’s death was a senseless tragedy, and — as mentioned in my prayer, violence in the name of politics is never okay or appropriate because in America we all have the right to share our beliefs and opinions in an open society, regardless of our politics.  At the same time, it is a stretch to claim that Charlie Kirk was a unifying figure.  For every good, Christian thing he stood for, there were other things he espoused or advocated that were neither Christian nor biblical.  While you don’t have to agree with this, one of the best reflections I’ve read so far on this complexity is found in the September 22nd Facebook post of Pastor Brian Drinkwine of Clarity Church HERE .  So, while I condemn his brutal killing, since a pastoral prayer is designed to bring people together around things we can all agree on — things like the inappropriateness of using violence for political ends — and since the goal of my prayer was more than a focus on any one person, I did not feel it was appropriate to use Mr. Kirk’s name in the prayer.

 

(#2) But in addition to condemning political violence in any form, a second reason I did not mention Mr. Kirk’s name also has to do with the senseless gun shooting at Evergreen High School in Colorado the same week, which I also condemned in my prayer.  While the shooter’s motivations are still not fully understood, I felt it was important for my prayer to mention both events of violence from that week, and to highlight the inappropriateness of violence as a means of expressing ourselves, whether in the name of politics or just because we don’t like someone. Yet, I purposefully did not mention either the name of Charlie Kirk or the names of those shot in Colorado, for to do so would be to elevate one tragedy as worse or more important than the other.

 

And in light of the continued gun violence in a shooting today in a church in Grand Blanc Township, MI that’s killed at least one and injured nine others, I would argue that my original prayer is even more appropriate. 

 

I understand that some of you may not agree with my rationale here.  That’s okay.  You don’t have to agree with me about all things to allow me to be your Pastor.  But I hope you can understand and respect that I was following what I felt led to do by God’s Holy Spirit, just as I promise to respect your need to occasionally disagree with me, if needed.  But I hope that if we disagree, we can do so without the need to be disagreeable. In the words of the founder of Methodism John Wesley in one of his sermons on Christian unity, “though we may not all think alike, may we not all love alike?”  (From Wesley’s sermon “Catholic Spirit”).  My prayer — and my hope — for you, and for us all, is that we, indeed, can do this.

 

Always remember that God loves you and I do, too (regardless of our politics)! 

Cornerstones of Faith

What do our money, finances, and possessions have to do with our Christian faith and lives?  While the Bible describes many important characteristics and qualities of life and faith with God, one aspect that both it and Jesus himself talk about more than any other is the often-overlooked connection between our belongings and our spiritual lives.

Join me October 12-26 at Cornerstone United Methodist Church for a new short worship series "Cornerstones of Faith," exploring a few of these key connections between our possessions, our souls, and our life of faith as described in scripture.

             October 12:  STEWARDSHIP

            October 19: FIRST FRUITS

            October 26:  THANKS - GIVING

Disney Parks Faith: Christian Life Lessons from the Disney Parks

Many of us have cherished memories of Disney theme parks, filled with wonder and family fun. While the primary goal of these parks is entertainment, they also offer a rich tapestry of stories and experiences that resonate with the human spirit and can spark profound reflections about Christian faith and values.

Join Pastor Brian September 7 - October 5 for a unique new sermon series, "Disney Parks Faith," exploring the surprising connections between beloved and iconic Disney attractions and important Christian life lessons.  Together, we’ll uncover some of the unexpected ways that these seemingly secular spaces reveal biblical themes which can enrich our faith journeys.  And if you want, you can wear your favorite Disney attire to worship during this entire series!

            September 7:  “Por Favor Mantégase Alejado de las Puertas”

            September 14:  “All the Way In, Please!”

            September 21:  Lightening Lane Christianity

            September 28:  There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow

            October 5:  It’s A Small World

 

15 Things God Won't Ask

“Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave” (Matthew 20:25-28)

At a recent Worship Committee meeting, I shared the following which are good reminders for us all! These are “15 Things God Won’t Ask” when we reach heaven:

1.    God won’t ask what kind of car you drove, but will ask how many people you drove who didn’t have transportation.

2.    God won’t ask the square footage of your house, but will ask how many people you welcomed into your house.

3.    God won’t ask about the fancy clothes you had in your closet, but will ask how many of those clothes helped the needy.

4.    God won’t ask about your social status, but will ask what kind of class you displayed.

5.    God won’t ask how many material possessions you had, but will ask if they dictated your life.

6.    God won’t ask what your highest salary was, but will ask if you compromised your character to obtain that salary.

7.    God won’t ask how much overtime you worked, but will ask if you worked overtime for your family and loved ones.

8.    God won’t ask how many promotions you received, but will ask how you promoted others.

9.    God won’t ask what your job title was, but will ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.

10. God won’t ask what you did to help yourself, but will ask what you did to help others.

11. God won’t ask how many friends you had, but will ask how many people to whom you were a true friend.

12. God won’t ask what you did to protect your rights, but will ask what you did to protect the rights of others.

13. God won’t ask in what neighborhood you lived, but will ask you treated your neighbors.

14. God won’t ask about the color of your skin, but will ask about the content of your character.

15. God won’t ask how many times your deeds matched your words, but will ask how many times they didn’t.                                   [--Author Unknown]

To this list, I would add that God also won’t ask who we voted for in the most recent (or any) election, or whether we were Democrats, Republicans, or Independents.  He won’t ask whether we were conservative, liberal, evangelical, progressive, or centrist.  He won’t ask whether we were gay, straight, or where we stood on local and national policies, or  whether we preferred worshiping in “traditional” or “contemporary” ways.

Instead, God will simply want to know if we have Jesus in our hearts, and if -- while on earth -- we did our best to practice loving others the way Jesus did. That’s the standard by which we’ll be judged when we reach heaven. So, how will your life be remembered and celebrated when you reach the “pearly gates”? And what are you doing to make that a reality now / today?  Remember, God loves you and so do I!

America, The Beautiful

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…” (Psalm 33:12)

“O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat Across the wilderness!
America! America! God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved & mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears!
America! America! God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for halcyon skies, For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties Above the enameled plain!
America! America! God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet, Whose stem impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness!
America! America! God shed his grace on thee.  Till paths be wrought through wilds of thought By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale Of liberating strife
When once & twice, for man’s avail Men lavished precious life!

America! America! God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain The banner of the free!

O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears!
America! America! God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again Thy whiter jubilee!”

--Words by Katharine Lee Bates (written in 1895, published in 1913);

   Melody by Samuel Ward

Did you know that there are actually that many verses?  As we celebrate Independence Day this week, I invite you to let these words challenge and inspire you.  Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

Filled with the Spirit

“Do not get drunk with wine... but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18)

Much is made in some Christian circles about living holy lives by abstaining from certain negative moral and ethical actions and behaviors.  This line of thinking argues, for example, that we are “good Christians” when we refrain from drinking alcohol, smoking, gambling, using our sexuality in certain inappropriate ways, etc.  But while it is certainly true that negative behaviors such as these can block the full power and presence of God at work in our lives, our Christianity does not consist simply of refraining from certain “don’ts.”

Instead, as the apostle Paul reminds us in the scripture above, the mark of a genuine Christian life is not the absence of negative moral behaviors, but the presence of God’s Holy Spirit.  After all, I’ve known many persons who live ethically “clean” lives, but who are legalistic, judgmental, and mean-spirited because they lack the active presence of the Holy Spirit in their life.  The great 19^th-century evangelist Dwight L. Moody explained it this way to an audience: “Tell me, how can I get the air out of the tumbler I have in my hand?” One man spoke up and said, “Suck it out with a pump.” Moody replied, “But that would create a vacuum and shatter it.” Finally, after many suggestions, he picked up a pitcher and quietly filled the glass with water. “There,” he said, “all the air is now removed.”  He then explained that victory for the child of God does not come by working hard to eliminate sinful habits, but rather by allowing the Holy Spirit to take full possession and fill them with His presence.

So, the next time you’re tempted to judge someone by their behaviors, remember that the true mark of faith is NOT the absence of sinful things in life, but the presence of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Read Galatians 5:22-23).  As we celebrate Pentecost Sunday this week (a day celebrating the gift of the Holy Spirit in God’s church), remember that God loves you and I to, too!

Honoring Our Mothers

“‘Honor your father and mother’—this is the first commandment with a promise: ‘so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.’”(Matthew 13:45-46)

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands... no way.” “It’s not the hands that are causing me problems,” said the Lord. “It’s the three pairs of eyes that mothers need to have.” “That’s on the standard model?” asked the angel.

The Lord nodded: “One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks ‘What are you kids doing in there?’ when she already knows. Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn’t but what she has to know, and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when they goof up and still say ‘I understand and I love you’ without so much as uttering a word.” “Come to bed, Lord. You can finish tomorrow,” said the angel, touching God’s sleeve gently. “I can’t,” answered the Lord. “I’m so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she’s sick.... can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger... and can get a seven-year old to stand under a shower.”

The angel circled the model of a mother slowly. “It’s too soft,” she sighed. “But tough!” said the Lord. “You cannot imagine what this mother can do or endure.” “Can it think?” “Not only that, but it can reason and compromise,” said the Creator. Finally the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. “There’s a leak,” she said. “It’s not a leak.... It’s a tear” said the Lord. “What’s it for?” “It’s for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness and pride.” “You’re a genius!” said the angel. “Now you know why I want them honored!” replied the Lord.

This Sunday, May 11^th (2025) is Mother’s Day, and it’s a great time to thank God for the mothers of our lives – both those who gave us birth, and those are like mothers to us.  Whenever it is that you are reading this, please take time to thank God for your mother!  Remember, we honor God as we honor them!  And never forget that God loves you and I do, too!

Dateline Jerusalem

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen!” (Luke 24:5)

Dateline Jerusalem… The religious leaders of downtown Jerusalem executed one said to be the Messiah this past weekend. Jesus of Nazareth, a traveling country preacher, died on Friday at the hands of Roman authorities after having been arrested by leading members of the Sanhedrin. The Most High Priest and other officials feared a hostile takeover by this person.

Jesus bar Joseph had been welcomed into the city last Sunday by what appeared to be a spontaneous parade, hastily thrown together. However, public approval quickly faded when he caused a scene at the temple, throwing around some of the furniture. Other controversial events followed in succeeding days, such as public arguments, teaching of strange doctrines, possible hints of tax evasion, possible assault of a privately owned fig tree, wild assertions, even talk of being a direct descendent from the Holy Deity, possibly in the fashion of certain Greek philosophies.

On Thursday evening he and a group of supporters met in a family home, where it was reported he spoke of cannibalism -- the eating of flesh and drinking of blood. Then this band of possible revolutionaries assembled in an olive garden, armed themselves, and attacked a guard, forcibly removing his ear. Authorities report the matter was dealt with quickly and justly, or on Friday he was executed along with others. Sources say the matter has been laid to rest.

Stay abreast of the situation with possible special editions of the Jerusalem Times, since there have been numerous claims of appearances of the deceased radical since this past weekend.

[–Shared by Rev. Tom Pilgrim in the Fayetteville (GA) First United Methodist Church Newsletter, March 6, 2005]

May the risen Christ fill you with the joy and awe and wonderful mystery of that first Easter! Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Palm Sunday

“They took palm branches and went out to meet him.  They shouted, ‘Hosanna!  Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessings on the king of Israel!’” (John 12:13, CEB)

“Riding on a donkey of humility,

Jesus entered into Jerusalem -

A king without a battalion of guards

without horses, without military tanks,

without canons and machine guns.

The children laid down the branches

Of palm trees as carpet on the ground

Others lifted them up to hail him

While chorusing hosannas as he drove by,

‘Blessed is he who comes

in the name of the Lord.’

Today Jesus enters into

The gates of homes, churches and

Other machineries of control and

Down deep into every human heart.

Today let hosannas resound

Saying no to wars and weapons

No to hatred, revenge and death

But yes to the subtle claim

In the heart to let the love of Jesus reign.”

            [--Elizabeth Padillo Olesen]

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday, he was challenging the people to choose whether or not they would claim him as a King of military might (symbolized by a white horse that he should have ridden) but as a King of peace (symbolized by the lowly donkey that he did ride).

Today, Jesus challenges us with the same choice:  welcome him as the Lord of warfare and “might makes right”? or as the “Prince of Peace”? In today’s world of violence, division, prejudice, terrorism, and war, Palm Sunday dares us to welcome the one who challenges us to claim him as the “Prince of Peace.”  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Fast and Feast

“Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call an assembly” (Joel 2:15)

A number of years ago, Dr. Kevin LaGree, former Dean of the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, shared a message about the spiritual disciplines of the Christian season of Lent (the 40 days before Easter), which we are currently a little more than halfway through.  

Most of us are familiar with the custom of “fasting” (e.g., giving up) certain things during this period, especially certain types of food.  But Dr. LaGree also challenged those who were listening that the taking on of certain spiritual things is just as vital as the things that we “give up.”

During that message, he said, “Lent is a time to FAST from certain things and FEAST on others.  For example, during Lent, we should….

FAST from judging others; FEAST on Christ dwelling in them.

FAST from discontent; FEAST on gratitude.

FAST from complaining; FEAST on appreciation.        

FAST from bitterness; FEAST on forgiveness.

FAST from discouragement; FEAST on hope.

FAST from apathy; FEAST on enthusiasm.

FAST from suspicion; FEAST on truth.

FAST from thoughts that weaken; FEAST on promises that inspire.

FAST from idle gossip; FEAST on purposeful silence.

FAST from problems that overwhelm; FEAST on prayer that sustains.”

LENT is indeed a time for both fasting and feasting.  My prayer is that as we continue in the remaining weeks and days of this season before Easter, if we haven’t already, each of us will take time to look deep within our lives first to discover those things from which we need to FAST from (give up).  Then, let us also FEAST upon (take on) good things that can draw us closer to God’s presence, plan, and purpose in and for our lives.  

Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

L E N T

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus....” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

LENT.  No, it’s not just something that sticks to your clothes.  Instead, Lent is also a season of the Christian year in which we not only prepare our lives for the Easter message of life, death, suffering, and resurrection, but are also encouraged to identify with Christ by allowing us to be used by him as vehicles of God’s grace to others.

The word “Lent” itself comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten, which means "spring" -- a reference to the "new life" that Christ brings to us, just as spring brings new life to nature.  For the forty days prior to Easter (beginning tomorrow, March 5th  with Ash Wednesday and culminating with Good Friday, April 18th), Christians are invited to focus upon how we practice following Christ in every arena of our lives: home; on the job; at church; in our finances; and in our relationships with others.

And because of its emphasis upon the sacrifice of Christ, Lent has traditionally been a time in which Christians are encouraged to give up worldly things in order to replace them with spiritual things.  As the above scripture reminds us, we are to “lay aside the weight(s) and the sin” that keep us from being the spouse, the friend, the work/schoolmate, etc. that God desires us to be.

What things hinder and interfere with you being the person who God created you to be?  worry?  jealousy?  envy?  bitterness?  pessimism?  fear?  pride?  a bad habit?  gossip?  a judging spirit?  Whatever it is, Lent invites us to give it up -- to junk it -- and, in its place, “look to Jesus” to equip us with those things (love, joy, patience, kindness, forgiveness, etc.) that can help us to “run with perseverance the race [of life] that is set before us.”

Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Lord, Teach Us to Pray...

What is prayer?  Why do we pray?  Who is it primary for? And what is the most meaningful way to actually do it?  From March 9 - 30, I will be exploring the answers to these questions and more in a new series during the Christian season of Lent called Lord, Teach Us to Pray. Join us as we together learn the purpose, form, means, and importance of prayer in our lives as Christians.

March 9 --The Breath of Life  (Luke 11:1-4)

       Exploring the “What” and “Why” of Prayer

March 16 -- Me, Pray?  (Hebrews 10:19-23; Hebrews 4:16)

       Discussing the “Who” of Prayer

March 23 – “Pray, Then, In This Way...” (Matthew 6:9-13)

       Learning the “How” (forms and models) of Prayer

March 30 – ‘And When You Pray…’ (Matthew 6:5-6; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

       Exploring the “When” of Prayer

2024 State of the Church Report

 “And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47)

One of the responsibilities that all United Methodist churches have at the first of each year is to give a statistical accounting of their annual ministry.  As this data was prepared for our “2024 End-of-Year Report” to the North Georgia Annual Conference, I thought you might be interested in what I consider to be some of the highlights for Cornerstone UMC (percentages represent growth since the previous year):

            • Total number of new members in 2024:  9

            • New members joining in 2024 by profession or reaffirmation                                                 of Christian faith: 3

 • Number of persons baptized (all ages):  1

            • Net growth of CUMC church membership in 2024:  +2

            • Church membership as of December 31, 2024: 1079

            • Average attendance for worship services during 2024:

--In-person: 155 (+17%)

--Online:  63 (+15%)

--TOTAL: 218 (+16.5%)

            • Average attendance in all Sunday School classes and small groups

during 2024: 112

• Number of participants at children’s Vacation Bible School:  120 (+9%)

            • Number of persons engaged in mission/community ministries:                                         110 (+47%)

            • Number of persons served by community ministries of outreach,                                     justice and mercy: 1175 (+18%)

• Total number of family units financially supporting our church’s mission

and ministry: 173 (+5%)

            • Total income received for ministry in 2024:  $598,559 (+13%)

            • Amount spent in 2024 on program ministry and operational expenses

(excludes salaries): $138,999 (+9%)

            • Amount given during 2024 for local, state, and world mission                                             ministry: $58,142

            • Current value of all church-owned buildings & property: $2,492,000

            • Principal and interest paid on indebtedness: $99,674 (+131%)

            • Debt remaining on current physical buildings & assets: $255,326

 Many thanks to both Janet Poulsen and Nina Stubbs for collecting this information and especially to Janet for preparing and submitting it all to the Conference!  As you can see, the statistics reveal that our church is once again on a path of steady growth!  If you haven’t already, I pray that in this new year, you and your family will not only “get in” on what God is doing in our midst but will invite others to be part of it as we seek to “reflect the love of Jesus” to our community and world across all generations!  Remember that God loves you and I do, too!