This document provides a weekly newsletter from the Woodinville Community United Methodist Church (WCUMC) for the week of January 26, 2014. It includes announcements for upcoming church services, classes, meetings and events. The sermon text for the following Sunday will be from Galatians 3 and focus on justification by faith alone rather than works of the law. Questions are also provided for reflection on Peter's actions in Antioch and dealing with legalism from others. The newsletter concludes with needs for the local food bank and updates on church finances and prayer requests.
1. Weekly News from WCUMC-1/26/2014
“Living by Grace…
And Not Looking Back!!”
Galatians 2
Then after fourteen years I went up to Jerusalem again with Barnabas,
and I took Titus along also. I went there because of a revelation, and I
laid out the gospel that I preach to the Gentiles for them. But I did it
privately with the influential leaders to make sure that I wouldn't be
working or that I hadn't worked for nothing. However, not even Titus,
who was with me and who was a Greek, was required to be circumcised.
But false brothers and sisters, who were brought in secretly, slipped in
to spy on our freedom, which we have in Christ Jesus, and to make us
slaves. We didn't give in and submit to them for a single moment, so
that the truth of the gospel would continue to be with you. The
influential leaders didn't add anything to what I was preaching--and
whatever they were makes no difference to me, because God doesn't
show favoritism.
But on the contrary, they saw that I had been given the responsibility
to preach the gospel to the people who aren't circumcised, just as Peter
had been to the circumcised. The one who empowered Peter to become
2. an apostle to the circumcised empowered me also to be one to the
Gentiles. James, Cephas, and John, who are considered to be key
leaders, shook hands with me and Barnabas as equals when they
recognized the grace that was given to me. So it was agreed that we
would go to the Gentiles, while they continue to go to the people who
were circumcised. They asked only that we would remember the poor,
which was certainly something I was willing to do.
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because
he was wrong. He had been eating with the Gentiles before certain
people came from James. But when they came, he began to back out
and separate himself, because he was afraid of the people who
promoted circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also joined him in this
hypocrisy so that even Barnabas got carried away with them in their
hypocrisy. But when I saw that they weren't acting consistently with the
truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of everyone, "If you,
though you're a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you
require the Gentiles to live like Jews?" We are born Jews--we're not
Gentile sinners.
However, we know that a person isn't made righteous by the works of
the Law but rather through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. We
ourselves believed in Christ Jesus so that we could be made righteous
by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the Law--because
no one will be made righteous by the works of the Law. But if it is
discovered that we ourselves are sinners while we are trying to be
made righteous in Christ, then is Christ a servant of sin? Absolutely not!
If I rebuild the very things that I tore down, I show that I myself am
breaking the Law. I died to the Law through the Law, so that I could
live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
Christ lives in me. And the life that I now live in my body, I live by
faith, indeed, by the faithfulness of God's Son, who loved me and gave
himself for me. I don't ignore the grace of God, because if we become
righteous through the Law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Paul stood firm… and stayed the course.
But false brothers and sisters, who were brought in secretly, slipped in
to spy on our freedom, which we have in Christ Jesus, and to make us
slaves. We didn't give in and submit to them for a single moment, so
that the truth of the gospel would continue to be with you.
God calls people to different ministries in different places, yet we all
must preach the same, true gospel … the gospel of grace!
… the people who aren't circumcised, just as Peter had been to the
circumcised. The one who empowered Peter to become an apostle to
the circumcised empowered me also to be one to the Gentiles.
The one who empowered Peter to become an apostle to the circumcised
empowered me also to be one to the Gentiles. James, Cephas, and
John, who are considered to be key leaders, shook hands with me and
Barnabas as equals when they recognized the grace that was given to
me. So it was agreed that we would go to the Gentiles, while they
3. continue to go to the people who were circumcised.
We must be careful not to fall back into a legalistic way of living.
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because
he was wrong. He had been eating with the Gentiles before certain
people came from James. But when they came, he began to back out
and separate himself, because he was afraid of the people who
promoted circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also joined him in this
hypocrisy so that even Barnabas got carried away with them in their
hypocrisy.
God calls us to be consistent n the Gospel message.
when I saw that they weren't acting consistently with the truth of the
gospel, I said to Cephas in front of everyone, "If you, though you're a
Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you require the
Gentiles to live like Jews?"
We are made righteous only by the faithfulness of Jesus
(Justification by faith)
However, we know that a person isn't made righteous by the works of
the Law but rather through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. We
ourselves believed in Christ Jesus so that we could be made righteous
by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the Law--because
no one will be made righteous by the works of the Law.
The gracious act of Christ gives us new life… so let’s not look back!
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in
me. And the life that I now live in my body, I live by faith, indeed, by
the faithfulness of God's Son, who loved me and gave himself for me. I
don't ignore the grace of God, because if we become righteous through
the Law, then Christ died for no purpose.
___________________________________________________________
Questions for Personal or Group Reflection
1. Why did Peter act the way he did in Antioch?
2. Are there any groups in the church, workplace, or elsewhere who
will give you trouble if you don’t do things their way? If so, how do you
deal with that?
3. What effects did Peter’s actions have on others?
4. Why was this issue so important to Paul?
5. What does justification by faith mean?
6. How can we respond to friends and neighbors who try to be saved by
faith in Christ plus good works?
Sermon Text on February 2nd
Galatians 3, Rick Vinther preaching
4. THIS WEEK AT WCUMC
Sunday - 1/26
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 - 1/27
Talk Time, 6:00 PM, Rooms 10 & 11
Men of Integrity,6:00 PM, meet at Rooney's for dinner
Tuesday - 1/28
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
Trustees Meeting 7:00 PM, Room 14
Wednesday - 1/29
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 - 1/30
Women's Retreat planning meeting, 7:00 PM, Room 11
Friday - 1/31
Outdoor Adventures Planning Meeting, 7:00 PM. Rm 11
Saturday - 2/1
Men's Group Study, 7:30 AM. Celebration Hall
Ministry Steering Team Leader's Retreat, Turning Point Retreat
Center, 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday - 2/2
Adult Sunday School Classes 9:00 AM
Nursery Care is available in the Children’s Wing during worship
10:30 AM Worship Service
5.
Financial Peace University, 12:30 - 2:00PM, Room 11
Evening Prayer, 5:30 PM, Prayer Room
New Open Door Class Adult Study
Begins Sunday, January 26
Life Lessons: The Book of
Revelation
By 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. Contact Don Morgan at
dsmorg2@comcast.net to order a book. Cost is $10.
Women's Retreat Planning Meeting
January 30, 2014
6. 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.
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.
2.
Cross Country Skiing - easy to learn and not as expensive as
downhill skiing. Cost to rent equipment about $15 per adult.
Snow Shoeing - easy to learn and good exercise. Cost to rent your
equipment about $15 per adult.
7. 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.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES PLANNING MEETING - FRIDAY, JAN. 31
Come help us plan future adventures. We're meeting in Room 11,
downstairs, at 7:00 PM this Friday. Also, mark your calendars for June 1315 - Dungeness Spit camping, kayaking, hiking weekend.
Details soon.
For more information, contact Bob or Sandy Clemence at 425-486-0762.
NEEDS THIS WEEK
Rice-A-Roni
Pasta
Tomato Sauce
Hamburger Helper
8. Seattle-Denver Super Bowl Food Challenge
HURRY! HURRY!
Let's Beat Denver on the field and in supporting our food bank.
Brng your donations to the church.
Go Seahawks!
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 T12 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.
9. Financial Snapshot
General Fund
Income, week ended 1/12/14
weekly average, year-to-date
Expenses, weekly average, year-to-date
Weekly average, budgeted expenses
Faith Promise
Total Faith Promises pledged
Faith Promise beginning balance
Received as of 12/29/13
Disbursed as of12/22/13
$ 6,086 Income,
$ 9,716
$ 6,284
$ 9,896
$ 90,560
$ 12,439
$ 30,332
$ 25,038
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.