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April, 2017

Easter is about resurrection and new life “in Christ”. Do we need resurrection to come to Chapel Hill in our leadership and attitudes so that we can be the hands and feet of Christ in our world today? When was the last time you, yes you, invited someone (never been before) to join us for worship? When was the last time you called on a shut-in or the last time you invested a little time in getting to know one of our youth?

At the 180 Turn Around Conference, much was said about vision. Churches, nor any organization for that matter, will survive without a vision. We in the church depend on the vision of God and how he reveals that vision through not only the pastor, but you as well. Have you given any thought to what God’s vision, not our desires or what makes us feel good, is for this church?

I ran across this article some time ago and wonder if this has crept into our church. We talk about our desires and how we want the church to grow, but… Have we become so status quo or stagnant in our church that the blinders have shut off the ability to see the decline in our congregation? Read this and consider if there are any parallels to Chapel Hill.

How the Entitlement Mentality Crept into Our Churches by Thom Rainer In 1974 Burger King made a bold move to take market share from McDonald’s. At the time, McDonald’s made burgers en masse. If you wanted a special order, you had to wait interminably while it was cooked separately. I remember. I’m a ketchup-only kind of guy. So Burger King announced that each order would be cooked at the time of the order the way the customer wanted. Their new slogan was “Have It Your Way.” Burger King, at least at the time, understood the consumer entitlement mentality. So what does this story have to do with our churches? It provides a brief historical backdrop of the mentality that has crept into our churches, where many of our members think church is a place where I can always “have it my way.” For now, let me share some key reasons many of our congregations have become more like country clubs than churches, a place where some members demand their way instead of serving and self-sacrificing.

Failure to state clearly the expectations of church membership on the front end. A membership class, or some similar entry point into churches, should not only give information about the church, it should provide expectations about membership. Membership without expectations becomes membership with entitlements.

Failure to make certain as possible that members are Christians. Sadly, we church leaders often neglect to discuss the spiritual conditions of prospective members. Are they truly followers of Christ? As a result, many of our churches have unregenerate members. Seeking numerical growth at all costs. We certainly should be Great Commission churches. We certainly should be inviting

people and sharing the gospel. But if our end goal is numbers, we will make compromising statements to bring people into our churches. We should seek to grow our churches out of obedience to God, not to create our own kingdoms.

Failure to remind the congregation regularly what it means to be a part of the body of Christ. All of us church members have the potential to lapse into self-serving, entitlement members. We all need to be reminded that church membership is not about perks and privileges, but serving and sacrifice. I have been encouraged to see many churches have annual renewal and commitment services.

Allowing the most entitled members into positions of key leadership in the church. One of the more common manifestations of an entitled church member is a person who seeks to gain power and leadership positions in a church so he or she can control and get his or her own way. We yield to them too often because they might be big givers or because we don’t have the fortitude to resist their bullying behavior.

Failure to deal with difficult issues. Church leaders too often are conflict avoiders. And while we shouldn’t pick a fight over every issue of minutia, neither should we allow a pervasive culture of entitlement, bullying, and manipulation to grow

unabated. A problem not handled now is a larger problem later. The biblical mandate for local congregations is counter-cultural. In many passages of the New Testament, such as 1 Corinthians 12, we are clearly taught that members are to be sacrificial, giving, and serving. Such a mentality goes counter to the culture in which the church ministers. Church is not about having it our way. It’s about bringing glory to God by having it His way.

Thom S. Rainer is an American writer, researcher, speaker, and current president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources.

How are you participating in this Easter? What needs to be resurrected in our church and in our lives for His glory? Easter is the remembrance and celebration of what God did through his Son Jesus. Will you share in that celebration and tell the world around you that Christ is NOT HERE (in the tomb), but alive and working in our lives, preparing a place for those who will believe! And God promises us for believing that we will not perish but have EVERLASTING LIFE! Amen.

Pastor Mark Join us on April 16 for Sunrise Service at 8:30 am (outside at Pavilion), breakfast at 9 am, and worship at 10:30 am.

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April Sermon and Scripture Titles

April 2 Scripture: Romans 8: 37-39 (CEB) Sermon: He Chose to Give Us Victory

April 9 Scripture: Luke 19:32-44 Palm Sunday Sermon: He Chose to Not Abandon Us

April 16 Scripture: John 20:1-9 Sunrise Service Sermon: The Ragman Easter Scripture: John 20: 10-18 Sermon: Final Words

April 23 Scripture: Luke 24:13-16 Sermon: The Road to Emmaus April 30 Scripture: TBA Sermon: TBA

Confirmation Classes Dates: April 2 4:00 to 6:00 pm April 9 4:00 to 6:00 pm With the youth being confirmed during the Worship Service on Easter Sunday, April 16

April 23 Youth Group 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Preparation for worship

Sometimes I feel drained of energy. What comfort then to hear God say to me, as to that ancient valley of dry bones: “I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live” (Ezekiel 37:5, ESV).

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Sign Up Sheet is located on the table in the Fellowship Hall

Some of the items needed are - Strawberries and Pineapple Cut up

Melons - Watermelon, Honey Dew or Cantaloupe Juice - Orange or White Grapefruit

Pillowcase Mission Project May 13 at 10 am to 3 pm

Calling all who can use a pair a scissors and

enjoy being with others.

If you have a portable sewing machine

please bring but not necessary to attend. Donated fabric or gift cards to buy fabric

is most appreciated.

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04/01 Robert Hahn Kasi Martin 04/02 Gabriel Nelson 04/04 Corey Berget 04/05 Maureen Dohm Sami Martin 04/09 Ken Krieger 04/10 Louise Grosse 04/13 Michelle McCoy

Mary Betz 04/14 Amy Bennett Lorraine Kelley 04/15 Alan Berget 04/16 Linda Dilts

Reaghan Scott Anthony Warman 04/17 Hannah Borr 04/18 Tami Hudson 04/24 Robin W. McKenzie Shirley McLaughlin 04/27 Lindsay Harner 04/30 Alvin Tomoske

04/01 Michael and Beth DeCoursey 04/07 Gary and Judy Walter 04/13 Dick and Phyllis Dowsett 04/18 Glenn and Liz Burkhard 04/21 Zachary and Wendy Harris 04/23 Tom and Barb Johns 04/26 Neal and Stacy Bruder 04/30 Eugene and Lois Akright

If we have missed a birthday or anniversary, or

have you listed incorrectly, please call the office so

that we may update our information.

Join us following worship on

Sunday, April 23 where we will

celebrate this month’s birthdays

and anniversaries with a Potluck!

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Lay Participant Forms

Please sign up for lay participant positions.

Liturgists: Greeters: Coffee Hour: Nursery: The sign up sheets are on the foyer table.

Contacts:

Liturgists: Linda Bennett 944-1961 Greeters: Karen Hook 463-8535 Coffee Hour: Sandy Keath 208-0115 Nursery: Bob Wesner 463-5050

THE LAWN MOWING SCHEDULE IS OUT ON THE TABLE IN THE FOYER.

All Church BINGO night is Saturday, April 8 at 6 - 8 pm

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Finding God Beyond Religion by Tom Stella An accessible guide to a meaningful spiritual life that reinterprets tra-

ditional religious teachings central to the Christian faith in ways that

connect with people who have outgrown the beliefs and devotional

practices that once made sense to them.

Do you describe yourself as “spiritual but not religious”? Whether young

or old, church connected or not, are you spiritually restless for an au-

thentic faith life but do not find conventional religious teachings perti-

nent to you?

This accessible guide to a meaningful spiritual life is a salve for your soul.

It reinterprets traditional religious teachings central to the Christian

faith—God, Jesus, faith, prayer, morality and more—in ways that con-

nect with people who have outgrown the beliefs and devotional practic-

es that once made sense to them. It helps you find new ways to under-

stand and relate to traditional, narrowly defined Christian “truths” that

honor their full spiritual power and scope, and opens your mind and

heart to the full impact of Christian teachings.

Skylight Paths Publishing

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On the third day, the friends of Christ coming at day-break … found the grave empty and the stone rolled away. In varying ways they realized the new wonder; but even they hardly realized that the world had died in the night. What they were looking at was the first day of a new creation, with a new heaven and a new earth; and in a semblance of the gardener, God walked again in the garden, in the cool not of the evening but of the dawn. —G.K. Chesterton

When we can’t find Easter

Easter is the most joyous Christian holy day ... except when it’s not. What do we do when our mood isn’t what we think it “should” be? The kids are sugared up, we’re juggling family gatherings (and maybe conflicts), our everyday challenges remain, and festive hymns — however rousing — fail to lift our spirits. We wonder, “What’s wrong with me, that I can’t seem to find Easter?” Been there, done that. And it’s okay. You’re okay. Jesus’ resurrection doesn’t scoop us out of our troubles, but the death-defying Christ walks through them beside us, on our own Emmaus road (Luke 24). We aren’t alone. When we can’t find Easter, East-er somehow finds us — if not on this designated Sunday, perhaps two days from now, or next week or mid-May. Watch for it; keep your heart open. Christ is risen indeed — and you shall be too. —Heidi Mann

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 De Colores Weekend

2 De Colores Weekend Communion Confirmation Class 4 to 6 pm

3 4 Prayer Group 10 am

5 Bell Choir 6:30 - 7:30 pm Choir 7:30 - 9:00 pm

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8 De Colores Team Follow up Meeting 10 am to 12 pm Bingo - All Church 6 to 8 pm

9 Palm Sunday Loose Change Offering Confirmation Class 4 to 6 pm

10 Trustees Meeting 7 pm

11 Prayer Group 10 am

12 Bell Choir 6:30 - 7:30 pm Choir 7:30 - 9:00 pm

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14 Good Friday Service 7 pm

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16 Easter Sunday Sunrise Service 8:30 am Sunrise Breakfast 9:00am Worship at 10:30 am Confirmation Sunday

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18 Prayer Group 10 am

19 Bell Choir 6:30 - 7:30 pm Choir 7:30 - 9:00 pm

20 Newsletter Information Due

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22 Fellowship Hall Reserved 10 am to 5 pm

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Potluck Youth Group 5 to 7 pm

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25 Prayer Group 10 am SPRC Meeting 6:00 pm

26 Newsletter Goes Out Bell Choir 6:30 - 7:30 pm Choir 7:30 - 9:00 pm

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28 29 De Colores Follow up Meeting

30 Native American Ministries Offering

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A Reflection of Christ’s Love Chapel Hill United Methodist Church

4071 Naomi Rd Sodus, MI 49126-9768

CHAPEL HILL NEWS

April 2017

Phone: (269) 927-3454

Parsonage: (269) 925-4528 E-mail: chumcsodus@comcast.net

Website: www.chumcsodus.org

Adult Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m.

Children’s Sunday School after Children’s message in 10:30 a.m. Worship

Mark Mitchell, Pastor

Church Office Hours Wednesday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Thursday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Friday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

In case of emergency when the office is closed, please try the parsonage (925-4528).