Bishop and Cabinet Continue to Urge North Georgia Conference Churches Not to Gather at This Time, But to Prepare

Five Reasons You Need to Get Back in the Habit of Church Attendance​

Soon it will time to return to in-person gathered worship. Though this statement is admittedly not theologically precise, it is time to “return to church.” Why is it important to get back in the habit of regular and faithful attendance? Why should those connected to a local congregation make a new commitment to attend as regularly as possible? Here are five reasons.
  1. The Bible mandates we gather for worship. The writer of Hebrews is unequivocal: “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25, NLT). Gathering for worship is not an optional activity. It is not an occasional activity. It is an ongoing and regular commitment.
  1. The Bible emphasizes the importance of the local church. Think about it. After the four gospels, almost all of the New Testament is about the local church or directed to the local church. Throughout the New Testament, different local congregations met together and worshiped together. It is simply what believers do. 
  1. When we gather together, we encourage each other. I am a classic introvert. Admittedly, I adjusted well to streaming services and Zoom community groups. But I readily admit I did not get or give the same level of encouragement as those times when we were physically present with each other. Look at Hebrews 10:25 again. The act of gathering is an act of encouragement. 
  1. When we gather together, we encourage our pastors. The encouragement of one another includes the encouragement of our pastors. They desperately need it. You cannot know the challenges of a pastor unless you have been one or are one. The stress and responsibilities they have had during the pandemic have been especially challenging. I pray that many people will return to the in-person gatherings with new levels of commitment. Our pastor will be greatly encouraged. 
  1. We grow spiritually when we commit to faithful attendance. We grow as a believer in Christ when we have a committed prayer life. We grow when we are committed to read Scripture daily. We grow when we share our faith regularly. We grow when we serve in ministry. And we grow when we commit to attend worship services faithfully. That attendance is a spiritual discipline. It is a vital and necessary act toward greater spiritual maturity.
The pandemic and quarantine have been transformational moments for our world and our churches. We now have the incredible opportunity to hit the reset button in our own lives. For many Christians, committed church attendance was waning before the pandemic. God has reminded us, perhaps even given us a major wake-up call, how really important the gathered church is. 
Get ready to return to the gathered church. But do so this time with a new enthusiasm and faithful commitment every week. 
It’s a habit we cannot and should not neglect.
Online Service for May 24th​
Sunday School Lesson: "Crossing the Red Sea"
Welcome & Call to Worship: Pastor Heather Nysewander
Today is Ascension Sunday when we celebrate Christ’s return to God.
We look up in wonder as he is lifted from us into heaven!
But this is not a time to gaze upward. There is work to be done.
Jesus has entrusted the ministry of God’s love to us.
Let’s get to work!
Let’s make our hearts ready for the task ahead with prayer and praise!
Amen
Opening Hymn: "I Know My Redeemer Lives"
Announcements, Offering Prayer, Giving
Online Offering ​​​​​​​or feel free to mail it to:
UHUMC 2000 A.J. Land Rd, Canton, GA 30115
Children's Moments: Jensen in the hospital
Hymn: "I shall not be moved"
Sermon: Community Together
Closing Hymn: 
Benediction

    Prayer Requests, Praises, Comments
Online Service for May 31st
Sunday School Lesson: "What is Pentecost"

​Alone together: The 2020 Pentecost paradox

​Welcome & Call to Worship: Pastor Heather Nysewander
Great Physician and Healer of the Nations,
You who taught the lame to dance with joy, the mute to sing songs of peace, and showed the blind rainbows of love and promise:
We suffer, great God, with disease in the Body of Christ.
Heal us:
that the illness of our internal divisions and jealousies may be cured.
Touch us:
that the blindness of our indifference to society's ills may be vision in ministry.
Anoint us:
that our deaf ears this glad morning may hear the invitation of your good news to all people and upon hearing become disciples of Jesus Christ, followers led by the light of the Holy Spirit which you send to us this Pentecost Sunday,
Amen and Amen.
​Opening Hymn: "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow"
​Announcements, Prayers, Offering
Online Offering or feel free to mail it to:
UHUMC 2000 A.J. Land Rd, Canton, GA 30115
Children's Moments
​Hymn: "His Eye is on the Sparrow"
Sermon: Pentecost: A New Language
Closing Hymn: 
​Benediction

    Prayer Requests, Praises, Comments
Picture
Sundays at Union Hill United Methodist Church
9:45 a.m.: Coffee & Fellowship
10:00 a.m.: Adult Sunday School
​11:00 a.m.: Traditional Worship Service 
5:00 p.m.: Contemporary Service
I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.  John 11:25 NIV
Do you believe that …
when there is no hope,
when there is no recourse,
when there is no answer,
when there is no help,
when there is no way,
when there is no remedy,
when there is no solution,
when there is nobody,
 there is hope if you have Jesus?  Do you believe that Jesus can make a way when there is no way?  With Jesus, all things are possible!
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