From Your Pastor – John
Ross Thompson
August
25, 2008
Fall
schedules are now here. Colleges are back in session,
and schools will start next week.
We’re
all preparing for the year ahead. I want to underscore
how important Sunday morning is for all of us.
Especially after a tiring week, it can seem right to
sleep in or relax on Sunday morning. But, if we do, we
miss the Christian growth and spiritual nurture that are
so important for all of us.
Starting September 7, our new 8:30 a.m. worship service
begins, and Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. has a new look
and energy.
The
8:30 a.m. worship service in Copper Chimney Lounge is
geared toward those who want a more informal,
interactive worship style, with lots of singing and a
chance to share openly in praise and prayer. It will be
informal enough that you can drink your coffee or juice
during worship, but dignified enough to bring all of us
closer to God and to each other.
8:30
a.m. worship is designed for the whole family. There
will be child care up through age 4. All of us age 5
and older will be together in worship, with a goal of
having something significant happen all across the age
span. After 45 minutes, we will close our worship
service, in time for 9:15 a.m. Sunday School and the
first Meet and Greet coffee time of the morning in
Copper Chimney Lounge. You can come to the 8:30 a.m.
worship service, stay for Sunday School, and be on your
way home by 10:15 a.m.!
Sunday
School at 9:15 a.m. has a new look. There will be four
classes called Power Zone for elementary children, as
compared to one last year. Children of various age
levels will learn Bible stories through art, music,
drama and cooking, helping them to understand Christian
truths that will help them through their whole lives.
I have
found that many adults have an appalling knowledge of
the Bible and Christian truths. The best years to learn
are as children, and it takes regular attendance at
Sunday School for children to implant these truths into
their lives. Don’t cheat the young people in your life
of this chance to grow spiritually. 50% of our values
are in place by age 5, and 80% of our values are in
place by age 8, so these Sunday School years are
critically important.
Middle
and high school youth need Sunday School to learn how to
apply Biblical truths to their lives. Jim Doyle, who
has taught middle high youth for 35 years at UUMC, and
Zach Constan, our former youth director, will be there
to guide them each Sunday morning.
Adult
education at 9:15 a.m. will provide at least 3 adult
classes. The Forum will have members and friends of UUMC
appearing as members of the new president’s cabinet to
discuss various themes that are important to Christians
in this election year. Seekers will explore the
scripture passages for the morning, in preparation for
the worship service. Pathfinders Class will explore
Bible passages that have meaning for daily living.
We will
continue each week with a 10:30 a.m. worship service
that is traditional in style, but energizing and
designed to interpret our faith for today. Our
outstanding choirs will be back, and there will be
Children’s Worship after the children’s time in each
worship service. In Children’s Worship, preteens in
grades 4 and 5 will have Bible lessons that help them
grapple with real preteen issues. Younger children will
have a Hands On Bible curriculum that speaks their
language.
After
the 10:30 a.m. worship service, our Coffee Hour in
Asbury Hall is one of the most popular events of the
week. Take time to join us, even if you don’t care for
coffee, and get to know some of the other great people
at UUMC.
Can you
afford to miss Sunday morning? We hope not. I look
forward to seeing you there!
John
Ross Thompson, Pastor
