Weekly News from WCUMC-1/12/2014

"Changed . . . by the Grace of God”Galatians 1

From Paul, an apostle who is not sent from human authority or commissioned through human agency, but sent through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead; and from all the brothers and sisters with me. To the churches in Galatia. Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. He gave himself for our sins, so he could deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. To God be the glory forever and always! Amen.

I'm amazed that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ to follow another gospel. It's not really another gospel, but certain people are confusing you and they want to change the gospel of Christ. However, even if we ourselves or a heavenly angel should ever preach anything different from what we preached to you, they should be under a curse. I'm repeating what we've said before: if anyone preaches something different from what you received, they should be under a curse! Am I trying to win over human beings or God? Or

am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I wouldn't be Christ's slave.

Brothers and sisters, I want you to know that the gospel I preached isn't human in origin. I didn't receive it or learn it from a human. It came through a revelation from Jesus Christ. You heard about my previous life in Judaism, how severely I harassed God's church and tried to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my peers, because I was much more militant about the traditions of my ancestors. But God had set me apart from birth and called me through his grace. He was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might preach about him to the Gentiles. I didn't immediately consult with any human being. I didn't go up to Jerusalem to see the men who were apostles before me either, but I went away into Arabia and I returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. But I didn't see any other of the apostles except James the brother of the Lord. Before God, I'm not lying about the things that I'm writing to you! Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, but I wasn't known personally by the Christian churches in Judea. They only heard a report about me: "The man who used to harass us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy."

So they were glorifying God because of me.

Paul was sent not from men… but by God.From Paul… not sent from human authority … but sent through Jesus Christ and God the Father…

Paul urged them to reject the tendency to turn to “another gospel”. … you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ to follow another gospel. It's not really another gospel, but certain people are confusing you and they want to change the gospel of Christ...

… I'm repeating what we've said before: if anyone preaches something different from what you received, they should be under a curse!

We should focus on pleasing God… not people.Am I trying to win over human beings or God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I wouldn't be Christ's slave.Good News of Jesus Christ came only from GodBrothers and sisters; I want you to know that the gospel I preachedisn't human in origin. I didn't receive it or learn it from a human.  It came through a revelation from Jesus Christ.  

Only God’s power can bring Change and Life

TransformationYou heard about my previous life in Judaism, how severely I harassed God's church and tried to destroy it…  

… I wasn't known personally by the Christian churches in Judea.They only heard a report about me: "The man who used to harassus now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy." So theywere glorifying God because of me…___________________________________________________________Questions for Personal or Group Reflection

1.  Why did Paul stress the origin of his message?2.  Why did Paul feel it necessary to share his conversion experience?3.  What does that say about the importance of your own conversion experience in your witness to others?4.  Reflect on the times you’ve been told you need to earn your way to salvation.  How did that affect your daily faith?5.  Are you still trying to earn your way to Christ?  Explain how…

Sermon text on January 26thGalatians 2, Rick Vinther preaching

THIS WEEK AT WCUMC

Sunday - 1/19

Financial Peace University, 12:30 - 2:00PM, Room 11 Evening Prayer, 5:30 PM, Prayer Room Young Families Group, 6:30 - 8:00 PM, Memorial Room

Monday - 1/20

Talk Time, 6:00 PM, Rooms 10 & 11

Tuesday - 1/21

Women's Bible Fellowship, 9:20 - 11:30 AM, Gathering Place

Men's Bible Study, 9:20 - 11:45 AM, Room 10

Sewing Group, 6:00 PM, Memorial Room

Wednesday - 1/22

Wed. Women's Bible Study, 10:00 - 11:30 AM, Memorial Room

Youth Group/Crossfire, 6:00 - 8:00 PM, Crossfire Room Choir, 7:15 - 8:30 PM, Sanctuary

Thursday - 1/23Friday - 1/24Saturday - 1/25

Men's Group Study, 7:30 AM. Celebration Hall

Sunday - 1/26

Adult Sunday School Classes 9:00 AM Nursery Care is available in the Children’s Wing during

worship 10:30 AM Worship Service Financial Peace University, 12:30 - 2:00PM, Room 11 Evening Prayer, 5:30 PM, Prayer Room

DATES/TIMES:  Sundays, Jan. 19 - March 16 from 12:30 - 2:00 PMLOCATION:  Room 11 DownstairsCOST:  $93 for individual or couple

New Open Door Class Adult StudyBegins Sunday, January 26

Life Lessons: The Book of RevelationBy Max Lucado

The book of Revelation need not be so complicated and confusing when boiled down to its core. This study examines it as a book of assurances for believers, confirming that when the smoke of the final battle clears, the Son of God, Jesus, will stand triumphant.

Each of the 12 lessons has a Scripture passage, an inspirational passage, questions to answer, space for journaling, and a prayer.

Join the Open Door Class for this new study, beginning Sunday, January 26.  Contact Don Morgan at dsmorg2@comcast.net to order a book.  Cost is $10.

Church Mission PotluckNext Sunday

Dr. Alan Kelley in Kenya

Everyone is invited to a potluck lunch next Sunday, January 26, after the worship service.  Dr. Alan Kelley, a member of our congregation and head of Medical Teams Worldwide, will share about his recent trip to Kenya.  Dr. Kelley will also speak briefly in the worship service.  Bring a dish to share and join us in the Celebration Hall downstairs.

  Women's Retreat Planning MeetingJanuary 30, 2014

We are excited to announce that we will hold a Spring Women's Retreat on April 4-6 at The Homestead in Snohomish.  There will

be a planning meeting on Thursday, January 30 at 7:00 PM in Room 9.  If you are interested in joining the planning team, please contact Evelyn Carlson, ecarlson@wcumc.org or Laura Cabinallas, lauraspeaks@integrity.com.

Important Parent's Meeting - January 26

All parents of teens and pre-teens (5-12 graders) are invited to a parent-leader meeting on January 26, from 12 - 1.  Lunch will be provided.  Please contact Kim if you cannot attend so that she can have you answer a few questions.  425-483-5252 or crossfirelife@gmail.com.

Outdoor Adventure Snow Day

Saturday, February 8

We are planning a day of adventure in the snow on Saturday, February 8 at one of the passes, exact location to be determined.  We have identified three options:

1. Cross Country Skiing - easy to learn and not as expensive as downhill skiing.  Cost to rent equipment about $15 per adult.

2. Snow Shoeing - easy to learn and good exercise.  Cost to rent your equipment about $15 per adult.

3. Sledding and just playing in the snow.  No rental necessary.

We'll supply basic lessons for snow shoeing or cross country skiing.  Open to people of all ages, a great activity for your whole family.  If you are interested in any of these three options, please sign up in the Narthex with your preference..

For more information, contact Bob or Sandy Clemence at 425-486-0762.

NEEDS THIS WEEK

Rice-A-Roni Dried Beans Pasta Pasta Sauce Hamburger Helper

WCUMC Trustees have begun a Capital Improvement project to reduce our energy footprint and expenses by replacing all outdoor and indoor overhead lights (except Sanctuary) with LED lights, and replacing all T-12 florescent bulbs with T-8 florescent bulbs.  T-8 bulbs will last 10 years , will not flicker and buzz, and

will reduce energy cost by 25% - 50%.

Additionally, PSE has announced a Rebate Program to encourage retrofit.  WCUMC estimated rebate will be $9,000, and retrofit should generate savings of approximately $4,500 per year.

A Designated Fund to raise the $26,500 needed for the full project has been established.

If you want to make a donation to this fund, please write your checks to WCUMC with Lighting Project on the memo line.

More details will be shared during the Sunday morning worship service, and a special display will be set up in the Narthex.

Financial Snapshot

General FundIncome, week ended 1/12/14                                         $ 10,459

Income, weekly average, year-to-date                              $ 11,834   Expenses, weekly average, year-to-date                               $ 

3,000Weekly average, budgeted expenses                                $  9,896

Faith Promise    Total Faith Promises pledged                                         $

90,560    Faith Promise beginning balance                                    $

12,439 Received as of 12/29/13                                          $ 30,212

    Disbursed as of12/22/13                                          $ 15,993

Prayer Chain Requests

Prayer Chain requests call Barbara Clark 425-483-3885. After 6:00 PM call Mary Harvey at 425-827-2883 or call the church at 425-483-5252 during office hours.

We hope to see you in church this Sunday and God Bless.

Have a great week!

This newsletter is published by Woodinville Community United Methodist Church for our members, friends and all who love Jesus.  Our vision is "To Share the Transforming Love of Jesus Christ Across the Street and Around the World".  If you are looking for a church home with loving, devoted followers of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we invite you to attend our Sunday Worship Service at 10:30 each Sunday. We are located at 17110 140th Ave NE, Woodinville, WA  98072.   Learn more at www.wcumc.org .