Just recently I had the opportunity to go back in time and observe worship here at Burns Memorial UMC.I asked Dee to locate past worship bulletins and newsletters.I was able to start with the year 1945.The purpose of reading these bulletins was to have a better understanding of how Burns defines worship.
Worship can simply be defined as to bow oneself down or to honor as a divine being.Worship does not require a church building.Worship is not about religion.Worship does not require a dress code.We don’t worship because our parents did.Worship is about a relationship with the Creator of the universe, who sent His Son to die for you.To worship is to experience, to touch, to feel the resurrected Christ in our midst.
Matt Redman is a Christian songwriter and singer.Matt describes the importance of worship in his song “Heart of Worship.”Matt writes, “I'll bring You more than a song, for a song in itself, is not what You have required.You search much deeper within through the ways things appear.You're looking into my heart.I'm coming back to the heart of worship and it's all about You, all about You, Jesus.I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it.When it's all about You.It's all about You Jesus.”True worship is simply about Jesus.
In John 4:23-24 , Jesus says, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."Jesus is very specific about the type of worshipers His Father is seeking.We must worship Him in spirit and in truth.This means that we are to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in worship, and the truth refers to Jesus.This means that our entire focus must be about Jesus when we enter into worship.
As I began to read those precious documents, I was overcome with a sense of reverence and joy.Over the past 65 years the order of worship has changed but the focus and purpose has remained the same.Burns Church understands the importance of worshiping God in spirit and in truth.It has been my prayer and desire that we continue to worship in spirit and in truth.Starting in September, the order of worship may look a little different but the focus and purpose will continue to remain the same.One example will be that on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month I will need volunteers to share a brief testimony of how God is guiding you and your family.This testimony will only last 3- 5 minutes.I believe this is very important because it allows our members to see God moving in the lives of others.I want to encourage each of you to begin praying about when you would like to give your testimony.
Staying with theme, "What is Worship"; starting in September, I am asking for people to submit in writing what worship means to you.We will be placing these meanings in The Flame each month.If you would like to submit what worship means to you please contact the church office.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17
One day prior to entering the mission field, I was reading in the book of Psalms.I came across a passage that would become my prayer for our family during the two years that we served at the Caribbean Christian Center For The Deaf.The passage is as follows:May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.Psalm 90:17
I have continued to pray this while serving at Burns, and I have witnessed abundance and an overflow of His blessings.When people comment on the number of children participating in worship, I have a joy beyond comparison because I know that I had nothing to do with it.God has found favor and established the work of our hands.
Yes, it has been the work of our hands.Because of the volunteers and leaders that give of their time and talents so willingly, God has found favor and entrusted us with His precious little ones.
It is an honor to have been selected as Children’s Director from among such qualified candidates.It is a very exciting time in the life of our church, and I look forward to serving with you.
For His Kids,
April
Dates to Remember:
Children’s Sunday night activities resume August 15, 2010
- We will begin in the Family Life Center for a snack supper at 5:00pm
- Classes are held from 5:30-7:00pm upstairs in the children’s wing
Pastor Chuck and Bob Garrett (from Alleluia Community) just returned from a missions trip to Kenya, Africa. They left on July 13 and returned on the 28th. We are expectantly waiting for a report of this trip from Pastor Chuck. As God always does, He showed up in power and accomplished great things in Kenya.
Please continue to bring school supplies for the Food Pantry to distribute. There are many in our community who are in great need of these items to get their children ready for school.
What’s been going on with Burns Youth?To begin, we had an outing to the Riverwalk on July 4th to watch the fireworks in downtown Augusta.Then, a group of us went to Atlanta to help roof houses, grow spiritually, meet new friends and have a lot of fun.The 2010 Metro Atlanta Project was a big success, and I just want to send a big thank you to everyone who prayed for us.Next we had a great pool party at the home of Gary and Marion Williams.It was a refreshingly laid back event amidst these high temperatures, and Marion’s hospitality and generosity were unparalleled.August will bring us into the new school year with a volunteer day at the Golden Harvest Faith Food Factory, sorting cans.We’re also gearing up for the Augusta District Youth Retreat at A H Stevens State Park, which will take place toward the end of the month.It’s good to see people who’ve been out of town, or away from the group.We’ve got an exciting new program in the works for the school year, and I pray that God will accomplish everything He wants to in our young people.
On Monday August 2, 2010, after several months of discussion and research, the Trustees agreed that we as a church should purchase a new bus rather than a pre-owned one.On the very same night, the
Administrative Council agreed with the recommendation of the Trustees that we should purchase a new bus.It will be a 15-passenger bus similar to the one we were able to look at.At this time we have
already raised $22,060.00 toward the purchase of a new bus.The trustees decided that we would not be making a purchase until all the funds have been raised.The Trustees believe that we need to raise an additional $27,000.00.This will allow us to
purchase the new bus and also provide us with the funds to purchase a metal carport to provide shelter for both the new bus and the van.In the upcoming weeks, the trustees will provide pictures of the bus and a graph (bus thermometer) to show our progress toward the goal.For those who would like to
contribute to purchasing a new bus you may make your checks to Burns UMC, earmarked bus.
For our next adventure we will be staying here in town. We will be watching a movie on August 26th at 3 PM in the Family Life Center.Popcorn will be served. Comedian Carl Hurley will be joining us.If you have not seen Carl Hurley you are in for a treat! You will definitely leave with a smile on your face! If you are interested in joining us,please contact Jean Beasley at 592-4416.
SeptemberAdventure
We are planning a trip to Atlanta on September 8th.We will be touring the World of Coca-Cola and the
Georgia Aquarium.The cost of this adventure is $45.Payment must be received no later than
August 25th.No exceptions.If you are interested in joining us for this adventure,please contact Jean Beasley as soon as possible.
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