20120506 Don H reviews General Conference

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Please help edit your area of responsibility. Thanks.don
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 http://www.donredding.com/audio/hymn000-messiah.MP3

This Week (05/06/2012) Jim and Nancy still out of town  near Nova Scotia. Bob  L led the class beginning with a prayer followed by a reading from the Upper Room titled "the Power of Humility" as we live in a world where might is worshiped and weakness despised; as proof of this, consider how much many nations spend on weapons of war.(An ad lib by Don R - the USA spends more than the next 10 countries on the military.)  We were glad to have Durward and Grace back after some misses with whatever is going around. Connie was still missing. Jack said Anne welcomes telephone calls as she recovers. Don R received a call from Betty last week asking about Janie and Anne C; Betty was still having pain walking. She a cortisone shot Thursday (5/3) with good results as the pain is way down and improving each day. Lou lead us in hymns 558 (We are the Church) and 545 (The Church's one Foundation)

Today's Lesson (5/6/2012):

General Conference:  What Happened in Tampa? - led by Don Hammer

Don H discussed the proceedings of General Conference of Methodism which has been meeting for about 11 days in Tamps.He referred to the session before the Conference when James previewed it. One decision was to continue study of the re organization of the Methodist Church. Part of tour discussion included the class telling how it was in the church when we were growing up. Hear here the audio of our today's (5/6) class. Also hear here audio of James'  pre conference discussion.

Last Week (04/29/2012)  Anne L started class with a prayer. Her readings emphasized  "to grow in Humility, grow in your own appreciation of God's Awesomeness." Birthdays this week: Nancy S (4/30) Chick (May 3) and Don R(May 5). Memo from Cristine Mull to let her know if changes in our SS meetings in the Summer. Connie and Durward not here as sick after trip to Alabama. Don R at Durward's request reported on the plans for the Museum Tour on Saturday May 26 and asked folks to sign up. We signed  2 more and we have 15 people. Durward needs to know in time to call Monday 4/30.  Arlyne has a new grand daughter in Rhode Island; have pictures of cat and baby admiring each other. Jim and Nancy somewhere near Nova Scotia. Jack said Anne C home Sunday a few hours and for good Tuesday 5/1. Anne and Ken at the Beach. Tom S a little under the weather. Don R received a call from Betty who was asking about Janie and Anne C; Betty continues to have pain walking and hopes a cortisone shot Thursday (5/3) will relieve some of it. Bob L lead us in hymns 384 (Love Divine) and 514 (Stand Up Stand Up) Cal discussed  PREDESTINATION and/or FREE WILL and/or GOD'S WILL. Here are a couple of links to some interesting notes on how the Bible supports both views.   Yes to Free Will      Yes to Predestination:

Future Lessons

MAY 6th - General Conference:  What Happened in Tampa? - led by Don Hammer
13th (Mother's Day) - Preview of Lessons to Come - led by Don Hammer
20th - (contin) Study of Romans (8:1-11) - lesson #6, Living in the Spirit - led by Reatha
27th - TBA - led by Ace
JUNE 3d - (bk) IS THERE A HEAVEN? - led by Durward
10th - (bk) THE SEARCH FOR MEANING, by Willimon, et al. - led by Sydnor
17th - Ethics - led by Chick
24th - TBA - led by Jim
JULY 1st - Annual Poetry Lesson - led by Bob and Don
8th - ???
15th - ???
22d - ???
29th - TBA - led by Sydnor
AUG 5th - TBA - led by Cal 

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Birthdays to remember: Click for Addresses

20120415 Gaston on Reynolds Price and Collins

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Please help edit your area of responsibility. Thanks.don
 Blog   Pictures   Audio : Class or Messiah Audio

This  Week (04/15/2012)   Jim started class with "He is risen . . He is Risen indeed" and a Prayer. Jack gave Ann's telephone number - call but no visitors as has several therapy sessions a day.  Reatha sent the following message earlier.:"On Maundy Thursday, Ann Copeland sustained a fall while up in Boone. She was taken to the local hospital that evening where she had x-rays, catscan, ekg, etc. Those showed a broken right arm just below the ball at the top of the humerus (upper arm for those who have forgotten jr-high anatomy). She also broke two small bones in her pelvis. Her right arm is immobilized to relieve the pain. The orthopedic doctor said that no operation was appropriate. She could not return to Charlotte until a room was available at a hosp/rehab facility. That opportunity presented itself on Monday, so she arrived at CMC Mercy late that day and is now receiving rehab therapy." Mary Katherine mentioned the increased Helping Hands Fund contributions received recently, including for for Judy Stinson's Memorial. Applications to use the fund available on the exit door. Lean toward  support of  activities in which we are our self active. Had a nice note from and an invitation from Christine Rineholt to attend her Graduation May 12 from Columbia Seminary , in Atlanta. Ann L asked if we had any card we could use to send to  have signed by people in class that day to our shut in friends. Help me edit this with what we decided. When Bob was out of commission he received several (group) cards like that and was nice to know folks were thinking of him. Jim passed around the signup sheet for the trip to the Levine Museum. The special part of the Exhibit is about prominent Jews in Charlotte in addition to the regular exhibits. We have 14 and need 21 for a tour guide. James on Monday night April 16 will discuss the upcoming  General Conference of the Methodist Church to be held in  Tampa  soon. It is "required info" for all Methodists I think as we face many issues including declining membership, aging clergy, growth of pensions and medical care, growth with young folks not accustomed to making financial support, and small church size (half Methodist churches have less than 100 members. Audio and pictures  and reports on Blog at 20120416 General Conference Preview   Jim read from Jesus Calling  which was on Luke "Refuse to Worry . . .Much enticing us to worry  . .temptation to be anxious . .best defense is  "continued communication with me (Jesus) . ."  Lou led us in hymns 496 Sweet Hour of Prayer and 504 Old Rugged Cross

Lesson This Week Apr 15 -- Letter To A Man In The Fire: Does God Exist And Does He Care by Reynolds Price, led by Gaston who also tied in the Collins book with the discussion by scientists on the evidence of a god. From Amazon for the Reynolds book, received ratings of. 5.0 out of 5 stars "A Good Guide. As one who watched his own father, a retired minister, die a horrible, lingering death this past year after 15-year battles with cancer, heart disease and diabetes, I found Mr. Price's "Letter" to be both thought-provoking and helpful in my own search for answers to the questions posed in the book's title -- more helpful than my re-readings of Ecclesiastes and... Read the full review ›"
Last  Week (04/08/2012)
Jim started off class with "He is risen . . He is Risen indeed" Jim led us in prayer.
Don H mentioned the next Curriculum Committee is April 24 at 7 p/m probably in  the Ownbey Room. Mary Katherine made a financial Report reflecting we have $5,386.48 allocated to Helping Hands and $1,272.63 allocated to the General Fund. We have changed our checking account from Wells/Wachovia to First Citizens Bank and in addition some of these funds are in an account on the church's books. Mary Katherine urged us to present applications for using the Helping Hands funds; forms are available for requests.   We again passed around the sign up sheet for the May 26 Levine Museum of South trip ($7). A couple of seats are available to Willard's Honorarium Dinner. Bill Roth is offering a session on Tools for Overcoming Anxiety Stress Management on April 17. Pig Man here April 18 at Adults Plus ($5). Youth offers You are a Good Man Charlie Brown on April 22. Nova Voce performs 5/19 and 5/20 ($15). We welcomed as guests Ward and Barbara Peacock and Rose Spinks. They were active participants in our discussion and we enjoyed their presence. Jim read from  Jesus Calling as it was about Matthew 11 28-29 interpretation. "I am the Resurrection and life . .people search for life in many wrong ways . .meanwhile  I freely offer abundant life . . ."The street preacher was back. He came into Jubilee Hall and got a cup of coffee and we all wished each other a Happy Easter cordial . See picture at link.

Lesson Last Week  Apr 08 (Easter) - Adult Bible Series, led by Sydnor concentrating on the scripture of John.  Purpose was to examine feelings about death and resurrection and that it may affect upon ourselves. He also referred to books by Borg, Spong, and John A. T. Robinson.  Lesson based on John 20 "Now on the first day of the week Mary came to the tomb . . " He also asked if it bothered us if some of what was said in that scripture was not fact. It bothered some. It did not bother some. He mentioned the article in the paper today including Dr Howell and  . . .
which was timley.

Future Lessons Apr 22 --Bible Readers Series A Study of Romans Leader: Good News for God's People
by Douglas E Wingeier (Sept 2000),  led by Reatha
Apr 29 -- TBA,  led by Cal     (please let me know Subject)

ADULTS PLUS! TO SAVOR BARBECUE Everyone age 55 and over is welcome to the monthly meeting of Adults Plus!, the next one at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 18, in Room 104 of the Parish Life Building. Barbecue cook/expert and author Dan Huntley - aka Dan The Pigman - will present the program, then serve a barbecue lunch for $5 in Jubilee Hall. For reservations by noon, MONDAY APRIL 16, call 704-376-5520 (ext. 5200) or e-mail cmull@mpumc.org.

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