Fulton United Methodist Church

Opening Worship at the Lexington District Leadership Conference - Several church choirs joined together to form a Lexington District Choir for this year's District Leadership Conference held on Sunday, January 29.  The choir led us in worship and praise with the following medleys - (1) How Great Thou Art / Majesty, (2) Hallelujah! Thine the Glory!, (3) The King is Coming / Amazing Grace and (4) Oh We Worship. 

We were blessed by voices that filled the sanctuary with music!!

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Prayer Quilt Ministry - Some of our prayer quilts distributed in January-February, 2012 (Photo 2) Tom McDowell, (Photo 3) Pete Colbert (along with Karlene Cope), and (Photo 4) This "church" quilt was mailed to Ricky Spry in Wyoming.

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New photos will appear in this section each week.

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Our Prayers

"We need prayer for God to touch us."

As you say your daily prayers, please remember to lift up the needs of these people:

Edna Angell  -  Kelsey Broadway  -  Pete Colbert  -  family of Jean Cope  -  Margaret Deal  -  Lillian Duvall  -  Bertie & Bruce Foster  -  Johnnie Lou Fritts  -  Jean Gaddy  -  Betty Goodwin  -  Phyllis Grubbs  -  Evelyn Hendrix  -  BJ Lanier  -  Brenda & Ricky Lanier  -  Joe Dean & Margaret Lanier  -  Lula Mae Lanier  -  Ted Leonard  -  Bill Miller  -  family & friends of Joe Navara  -  Martha Orndorf  -  family & friends of Mervin Orndorf  -  Mike Osborne  -  Sadie Rice  -  Josh Rominger  -  Kathy Shelton  -  Ricky Spry  -  Gavin Steele  -  Iona Stewart  -  Neville & Rachel Storey  -  Doug White  -  Wendi White  -  Nelson Young  -  family & friends of Bob Zimmerman 

Our Church  -  Our Nation  -  Leaders of our church  -  Leaders of our nation     

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Scriptural Reading - February 5, 2012

First Reading:  Romans 5:1-5

5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.  5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Second Reading - Mark 1:29-39

1:29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.  30 Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her.  31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up.  The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.  33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases.  He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.  36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed:  "Everyone is looking for you!"

38 Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else - to the nearby villages - so I can preach there also.  That is why I have come."  39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

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Weekly Message:  February 5, 2012      

Message: “You Can’t Always Get What You Want“                                                

            Today’s passage from the Gospel of Mark ends the first part of Jesus’ public ministry in Capernum.  Following Jesus’ baptism, his temptation in the wilderness, and the call of Simon, Andrew, James, and John to be disciples, they went to Capernum, where, according to Mark 2:1, Jesus is now making his home.  Throughout the early part of his ministry, Jesus is surrounded by sickness, disease, and distress.  But it’s interesting to note that he is recognized by the demons as the Holy One of God, but to the people, he is only a miracle worker and itinerant preacher. 

            In this passage, and throughout his ministry, Jesus is followed incessantly by people seeking healing, and is even hunted down by his own disciples when he tries to find a quiet place to pray.  Mark is signaling here that Jesus’ ministry is taking off like a rocket; a rocket that would have eaten a mere mortal alive. 

            Four things happen in this passage that Mark uses to signal us that Jesus is indeed the Holy One of God, as so far only the demons seem to recognize.  First, Jesus and the four disciples go to Simon and Andrew’s house, where Simon’s mother-in-law is sick with a fever.  Now, I happen to like my mother-in-law just fine, so I’m not going to insert any lame mother-in-law jokes here.  She is in need of healing, not humor.  Jesus took her by the hand and raised her up.  Instantly, she was healed, and began to serve them. 

            At sundown, when the Sabbath officially ended, the townspeople brought to Jesus all who were sick and all who were possessed by demons.  And the whole city turned out to watch. 

            Well before dawn, we can assume after an exhausting evening of healings, Jesus stole away to a deserted place to pray.  But even at 3:00 a.m. he couldn’t find peace.  Simon and the others searched for him until they found him.  Jesus answered them by refusing to return to town, saying that they must go to the neighboring towns so he could preach there, also. 

            Today’s passage gives us all the methods that God is using in Jesus to destroy evil.  He won’t do it with brute force and violence like the armies of Rome.  He will do it through actions like those in today’s passage, healing, touching, respecting, calling people from all walks of life to be disciples, praying, and sharing the Good News of the Gospel. 

            Preaching, teaching, and healing are always connected in Jesus’ ministry.  But this passage also points out a danger that Jesus recognized.  The townspeople wanted Jesus to stay.  But only for personal gain.  The townspeople wanted to get their illnesses healed and their personal needs met, but even while Jesus had compassion for everyone, the focus of his ministry was on leading people to repent and become disciples.   

            Part of Jesus’ ministry was to provide healing and comfort for those who were sick, for those who were troubled.  But another part of his ministry was to challenge those who were comfortable in life to set aside their pursuit of worldly possessions and follow him.  I think that is why Jesus left that one town.  He had helped all those who needed help, and had no desire to help those who already lived comfortable lives. 

            Where are you in life right now?  Are you afflicted with sickness, with brokenness, with family troubles, with financial problems?  Come to the altar to receive God’s grace and healing.  Or are you comfortable in life, with everything you need and a lot of what you want?  Come to the altar to discover new riches that come from setting it all aside to follow God. 

            Because when we answer the call to become a Christian and follow Jesus as his disciples, it is wrong to talk about: “What God is doing for me.”  Instead, when we answer the call to follow Jesus, our concern is, “What God is doing through us.”  As we experience the healing grace from God this morning that comes from receiving this sacred meal, let us then leave this place following Jesus out into the world, proclaiming the Good News, and inviting people to a new and renewed relationship with God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Pastor Kirk

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God’s Time for Children – February 5, 2012 

Message:  “An Apple – A Reminder of Our Blessings” 

Kirk asked the children, “What do I have today?  Jake said, “An apple!”  Jack said, “A nutritious fruit.”  Kirk asked, “What else would you say about this apple?”  Then Jake remembered studying about the fruit of the spirit in our L.A. Bridge Elementery Disciple group, and he said, “It means faithfulness.” 

Then Kirk said, “I brought an apple for a couple of reasons.”  Then Jake asked, “Is it because Adam and Eve ate an apple in the garden?”  Kirk responded, “Adam and Eve did eat the fruit from the tree in the garden, but I brought an apple today for a couple of other reasons.   

“Jake you were right before, this apple is like the fruit of the spirit.”  Kirk continued, “We’re going to have lunch today after church and Sunday School.  I love to eat here, because you are all good cooks, and we have good fellowship with each other.  I brought an apple today to remind us how blessed we are.” 

“When I got this apple this morning, there were about 15 apples in our refrigerator.  By the end of the week, they will all be eaten, but there are people in our area who don’t have enough to eat.”  

“The Bible tells us that we are to be thankful for what we have and to share with others.” 

Kirk then closed by praying with the children. 

Pastor Kirk

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BLESSED ARE WE

Blessed are we when friends they greet
Take time to stop when we meet
To ask us how we are today
And help to pass some time away
With idle talk and cheerful chatter
And converse with us on any matter
But perhaps when it's time to part
We have not told what's in our heart
For they are only acquaintances that we know
Just busy people on the go

More blessed are we with friends who care
With them our problems we can share
Who really listen and take heed
Or forsake us never in our need
To lovingly hold and lend an ear
And quickly dry the falling tear
When we are weak they are strong
They give support to help along
When in them we can confide
Blessed are we to have them by our side

But most blessed of all are surely we
To have the One who died on a tree
A trustful caring forever friend
Whose love for us will never end
To bring our burdens that we bear
To Him alone and leave them there
For we will never find a better rest
Than in His arms held to His breast
Or ever know a better love
Than that which flows from Him above
Earthly friends are a joy to have
To ease our sorrows and help us laugh
But if you want a friend who is really true
Jesus is the one for me and you

Colin Moffett