Community for Christ

First United Methodist Church Russellville, AL 35653

Newsletter January 21, 2014
Meal5:306:15 pm Reservations are required! $4.00 Adults $2.00 Children (10 and under)

Classes available
United Methodist Church Beliefs with Bo Lloyd is in the Ministry Center TBA with Pat & Teresa Seal in the old Fellowship Hall Childrens Activities Justice League study with Steven in the Youth Room

Sermon Series
Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happyness 1/26/2014 2/2/2014 2/16/2014 2/28/2014 Developing Contentment Surviving Storms and Setbacks Living the Word The Gold Standard for Life Philippians 4:11-13 Philippians 4:6-7 Matthew 4:4 Matthew 7:12

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

Greeters Schedule
January 26 8:45 Kurt & Shannon Rogers 11:00 Chester & Jeanelle Nix

Encounter Worship & Word

Sunday nights 6:00 pm Wednesday nights 6:00 pm Join Steven each Wednesday night for the next 5 months As he discusses the Justice League Contact Steven with any questions!! 256.443.7932 A Huge Thanks to all who serve the Shepherd's Table Ministry. What amazing people God has chosen to serve those whom He draws to Him. No one area is more important than the other. It takes a team. God's presence was never felt more than today. We thank God for allowing us to be a part of this blessing. If you would like to serve this Ministry, please call Judi Matthews to discuss areas of need . (256)332-7899 or the Church office (256)332-2955

Best Breakfast In Town!!! Sunday, January 26th @ 8:00 am $5.00

The UMW will meet in the Ministry Center Conference Room at 8:30am after the Church-wide breakfast on January 26th.

The United Methodist Women will have their Annual Super Bowl Sunday Bake Sale on February 2nd. Please make plans to bake something for the sale and also to purchase items that day.

All proceeds go to mission projects.

General Fund Update for 2013

December Contributions: Expenditures: $36,441.00 $28,772.00 Jan - Dec $348,979.00 $364.152.00

January
26th Melissa Mitchell

February
2nd Jason Hartsell 9th Jessica Wood 16th Bo Lloyd 23rd Kristy Blackburn

March
2nd Pat Seal 9th Samantha Hartsell 16th Scarlette Studdard 23rd Melissa Mitchell 30th Jason Hartsell Do you have a story to tell? We want to hear it at FUMC! Starting February 16th

We will have Sunday night service with lay speakers on two Sundays and preachers on two Sundays. Would you like to tell us your story? Contact Teresa Seal 256.810.2289 or the church office 256.332.2955.

We need three items for our church kitchen!

6 to 8 quart Dutch Oven Iron Skillet (about 9 inches) Food Processor

The psalmist gives us a simple pattern to follow

It is good to give thanks to the LORD and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night, with the ten-stringed lute and with the harp, with resounding music upon the lyre. For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done. I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands. Psalm 92:1-4 The psalmist begins by saying it is good to praise the LORD, the Most High God (the Sovereign) because of the great and praiseworthy things He has done. He doesnt simply say give thanks. He carries it a step further and says to sing praises. I wonder if he understands the power of song and that singing drives these things deep into the singers heart?

Frame your vision Train your eyes to see Gods goodness. Expect to see God at work! <-- Tweet this. You see what you look for! The real point behind His miraculous works in our lives is to reveal His heart for us. The more we get to know His heart and character, the more well live life anticipating His goodness!

Focus on His lovingkindness in the morning Begin each day by worshipping God and acknowledging His love for you. Recognizing that: 1. God does love you and has your highest good and His purpose in mind.

2.

Everything you encounter each day has been filtered through His fingers of love, both good and bad!

Fixing your eyes on Gods love removes the distraction of self and lets you see the One who's big enough to handle the day's circumstances! <-- Tweet this.

Respond by offering thanks At night as you settle in consider Gods faithfulness to you throughout the day. Because of Gods love for us and our love for Him, we respond to all He has done with an attitude of gratitude. Gratitude puts everything into perspective; it enables us to see Gods many blessings all around us. <-- Tweet this. We begin to see as God sees. I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds Psalm 9:1 Life may be so hard that you dont feel grateful. Even when you dont feel like it give thanks because it is the right thing to do! Eventually your heart will catch up to what your head knows is true. Giving thanks takes practice, and we get better at it over time. Practicing giving thanks isnt simply a thing to do once a year on Thanksgiving. For believers it is to be a lifestyle! <-- Tweet this.

Wrapping it up
Remember, a lifestyle of thanksgiving doesn't just happen! It must be cultivated. Just like with a small child you have to start somewhere even if you dont understand fully.

Determine to start today and then do it!

Each morning acknowledge Gods goodness and His love. Expect to see Him work during the day then watch for it! At the end of the day take time to pray and thank Him for all He did that day. (I suggest you begin a notebook and begin to write those things down so you can go back and be reminded of all Gods done for you in the future.)

Gratitude grows with practice. When you thank God, regardless of your feelings, it primes the pump of your heart until gratitude begins to flow freely. A lifestyle of thanksgiving will position you to experience fullness of life. A life of contentment in which nothing is needed and nothing is wanted. A lifestyle where Jesus is enough!