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TUESDAY TIDINGS
Pastor’s Corner
Dear First United Methodist Church of Mount Dora,
Last week, I was in Laredo at the PEG Energy Stadium where they were having a public memorial for 9-11 sponsored by the Laredo Fire Department. Also, many of our soldiers were there and participated walking up and down the stadium steps to reenact the number of steps that the firefighters would have taken up in the Twin Towers when they fell.
My word of the week is Remember.
Jesus told taught us, “Remember! Do this often.” Of course, that’s in connection with our Christian tradition of communion. But the same kind of remembrance applies to the situation. We remember sacrifices that others have made and remember the sacrifice that the Lord has made.
Last Wednesday, it was fitting to remember that by honoring their sacrifice (of first responders during the 9-11 terrorist attack), we look forward to a better future. That’s really what our Lord taught us about remembering. We remember so that we honor and live better in the future and build on the sacrifices that others have made, especially our First Responders of 9 -11 and any of our forebears who displayed such courage.
I remember you in my prayers and long to see you soon.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor David
Wesley’s 7 Steps for Formative Reading
TIME – Set aside time each day for reading. Allow at least 30 minutes each day. We need a steady diet of God’s Word to be spiritually nourished. Give your best time when you are most alert and attentive.
READ – Wesley engaged the entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments. Work alternately between the Old and New Testaments. Don’t just read your favorite parts. Engage Scripture in smaller portions so you are able to digest what God is saying to you and meditate on the passage.
PRAY – Pray at the beginning and at the end of reading. The Holy Spirit is what makes understanding the Bible possible. The Holy Spirit illuminates the meaning of the text for us. Ask the Spirit to illumine your heart and help you to see with spiritual eyes. The Spirit doesn’t do everything. You must do the hard work of study.
COMPARE – There is a principle of interpretation that says, “Scripture is its own interpreter.” We read Scripture in light of the whole. One Testament cannot be understood without the other. Use the references to find other passages on the same topic. Read other literature of the time. Use commentaries to explain the Bible’s background, including the historical and cultural customs of the time.
MEDITATE – After reading the portion of Scripture, it is important to stop and reflect on what is being revealed about God and what it means for you. You have gained some information, now it is time to focus on formation. Ask: What does this mean for me? What do I need to do in response? What do I need to change? What is God saying to me so I can become more like Jesus? You may want to do some journaling here. Then, act immediately upon what you have learned.
CONSULT- Wesley consulted many resources. You may consult others who are more experienced. You may be in a group study with others. You may consult other writings. Use whatever will help you understand and apply.
TEACH – You don’t have to be an official teacher or leader. You can be upfront and clear about your identity as a Christian. Share your witness with others. Tell them about Jesus.
A message from Mary Ann…
“I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to my church family for the wonderful celebration you provided for my 30th anniversary as your organist. Thank you for your generosity in the gift cards you gave me. I’m looking forward to having fun using them. The garnet and gold flower arrangement are absolutely beautiful. The lovely reception was a wonderful surprise, too. I appreciated the opportunity to visit with friends from all three of our services. That huge cake was so pretty and delicious. Thank you for the many cards and gifts I received. It was a joy and blessing to read the cards. I want to say a special thank you to all those who made this special day so special for me. It’s a joy to be your organist! Soli Deo Gloria!”
Find more pictures on the last page of Tuesday Tidings
Join a Bible Study!
Sundays at 9:30 am in the Chapel
Sundays at 9:30 am in the CEC Classroom
Sundays at 9:30 am in the Choir Room
Sundays at 11:00 am in Friendship Hall
Wednesdays at 9:30 am in the Chapel – Sitting at the feet of Rabbi Jesus
Wednesdays at 6:30 PM in the Chapel –Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther(and on Zoom )
Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Traditionby Steve Harper is a workbook that explores major features from John Wesley’s devotional life. It illustrates how you can apply his ministry to your own life. Structured around Wesley’s “Means of Grace,” the 7-week study covers prayer, scripture, the Lord’s Supper, fasting, Christian conferencing, and providential means of grace. Charlotte Jardine, a certified Lay Servant, will lead this study on Tuesdays at 2:00 pm in the chapel from October 8 to November 19. The $10 book is available in the church office.
Congratulations to Charlotte Jardine who is now a Certified Lay Servant. A certified lay servant is a person who desires to serve the Church and who knows and is committed to Scripture and the doctrine, heritage, organization, and life of The United Methodist Church. Charlotte has received specific training to witness to the Christian faith through spoken communication, to lead within a church and community, and to provide caring ministry.
Wonderful Wednesdays for kindergarten through fifth grade meet from 6:00 to 8:00 pm each week. Worship Arts begins at 6:00 pm followed by Bible study, crafts, and games.
Our Lake Cares food distribution is Friday, September 20 at the King Center, 803 Florida Avenue. Volunteers of all ages are needed from 7:30 to 9:30 am.
TheUnitedWomenofFaith return on Tuesday, September 24 at 1:00 pm in Friendship Hall. Women of all ages are encouraged to attend.
All women are invited to join the United Women of Faith Circles monthly meetings: Naomi Circle meets 2nd Tuesday of each month in Sanctuary Hall at 10 AM. Hannah Circle meets 3rd Thursday of every month in the chapel at 1:30 PM.
The widowed support group meets on Thursday, September 26 at 9:30 am in the chapel. Anyone who has lost a spouse is welcome.
*Please place all contributions in an envelope before dropping them in the offering boxes – Envelopes are located in the pews. If you would like or need envelopes to have at home, please contact the church office and we will be happy to assist.
Collection baskets are in the Fifth Avenue entrance for:
Non-perishable food for Lake Cares
Toiletry items for the homeless and for the battered women’s shelter
First UMC is looking for an adult to serve as our paid childcare supervisor. This person provides care for and supervises children during approved church activities while leading group play and educational activities. The individual works with a childcare assistant. The weekly hours are Sundays from 9:15 am to 12:15 pm. Seasonal evening hours are available. CPR and first aid training will be provided. References and a background check must be completed before hiring. ——————————————————————————————————– Do you want to be the face of our congregation? We need volunteers to serve as greeters from 9:00 to 9:30 am and 10:30 to 11:00 am on Sunday mornings.
The prayer group meets on Wednesdays at 3:00 pm. Contact the church office for the off-campus location.
Exercise class meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 9:00 am in Friendship Hall. The class does not include any floorwork.
