Category: Upcoming Event

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A Message from Our Senior Minister

List of Items for the Sykes Family

If you have any of these items and would like to donate them to the Sykes family, please contact Kathy // (706) 327-7419 at the church office first before donating. We would greatly appreciate any donations to help accommodate Tracey and his family.

  • Couch / Living Room Chairs
  • End Tables
  • Coffee Table
  • Lamps
  • Dressers
  • Two Children’s Beds & Mattresses
  • Adult Bed & Mattress
  • Washer & Dryer
  • Silverware & Dishes
  • Pots & Pans
  • Dish Towels
  • Towels & Washcloths
  • Sheets, Blankets, & Pillows
  • Curtains

If you would like to make a financial donation to the Sykes Family, checks may be sent to the church and marked in the memo “Sykes.”

Once again St. Paul, as Rev. Green stated, we are grateful for all of your help in advance.

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First Steps – August 3, 2020

“There are three kinds of flatterers:

The first kind praises and encourages someone’s good behavior. But they overdo it. They make a person feel better than they really are. Lavish praise is the first type of flattery.

The second kind takes an openly soiled reputation that is beyond denial and makes light of it. ‘You are not the first person to do this. Many other do things that are worse.’

The third kind of flatterer is the worst of all. They praise an evil person’s conduct. To a knight who has robbed the poor they will say, ‘That’s not a bad thing to do. Prune a willow and it will sprout even better.’ Such misguided flatterers actually blind the ones who listen to them. They cloak a foul odor with perfume. This is too bad. If they smelled it, it would make them sick. They would hurry to confession and avoid it in the future.”

The author is anonymous and judging by the wording one could attribute this to the Middle Ages. What I find fascinating is that it is still true today. Perhaps it is better to simply tell the truth.

This Week’s Readings:

  • Monday – Luke 1
  • Tuesday – Luke 2
  • Wednesday – Luke 3
  • Thursday – Luke 4
  • Friday – Luke 5

Please Pray for:

  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • The World.
  • The Lost.
  • The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus.
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Connect: August 2 – August 8 , 2020

CONNECTING THROUGH WORSHIP & PRAYER

Sunday, July 26 | “Restart – Back to the Basic : Skilled Service”
w/ Rev. Dr. Shane Green
Worship @ 9AM, 11AM, 1PM & 4PM

Click here to join our online worshiping community.

CONNECTING YOUTH

All SPY Online events will be posted on the SPY Instagram account each week – Be sure to check in online every week!

Sunday, August 2 | “Sunday School Live”
w/ Logan Ogletree & Laura Marvets @12PM on the Zoom.
Look for link on the SPY Instagram.

CONNECTING CHILDREN

All Children’s Online events will be posted on St. Paul Kids Instagram account each week – Be sure to check in online every week!

Sunday, August 2 | “Children’s Sermon”
w/ Sally Key Bowden & Caroline Green @ 9AM, 11AM, 1PM, & 4PM

CONNECTING SMALL GROUPS

Sunday, August 2 | “Seekers’ Sunday School”
w/ Mary Lou Jarrell @10AM. Contact Mary Lou for more information.

Sunday, August 2 | “Bridges Sunday School”
w/ Mark Ellis @10AM. Contact Mark for more information.

Sunday, August 2 | “Wildwood Sunday School”
w/ Evelyn Barfield @9:45AM. Contact Evelyn for more information.

Sunday, August 2 | “Welcome In” Sunday School Class
w/ Buddy Cooper @10AM
Contact Buddy for more information.

Friday, August 7 | Men’s Morning Bible Study
The Book of Acts
w/ Rev. Dr. Buddy Cooper @6:30AM in M220 (Fellowship Hall).
Contact Buddy for more information.

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First Steps – July 27, 2020

As a girl, my wife’s favorite story was Cinderella.  I’m certain you are familiar with the story for it is a classic.  However, are you familiar with St. Germaine Cousin, a 16th Century shepherdess?  Her story is definitely lesser known than the popular Disney classic.

Cousin, a peasant girl, from outside of Toulouse, France, experienced hardship very early in her life.  Her mother died during childbirth leaving Germaine to be raised by an unloving father and a stepmother who didn’t hide her hatred for Germaine.  Her stepmother actually forced Germaine to sleep in the stables and filled her days with farm chores.  The young peasant girl was forced to eat only the table scraps and survived on leftovers.

Yet, despite all of the injustices of her life, Germaine thrived.  She accepted every abuse with cheerfulness and charity.  She particularly welcomed the care of the family’s sheep.  The time spent tending the animals was solitude and an opportunity to communion with God.  For Germaine, the undisturbed time in prayer awakened an awareness of God’s continual presence in her life.  

Germaine never missed attending the daily Mass.  Whenever she heard the church bells, she would plant her crook in the ground and run to church, entrusting the care of her sheep to God.  She always returned to the flock safe and sound.  Over time, she developed a reputation of humility and holiness among her village.  Unfortunately, the more her reputation grew, the harsher treatment she received from her stepmother.  

Eventually, at the age of twenty-two, Germaine died from exposure to the elements while living in the stables.  Her grave became a popular place for pilgrimages where people remembered her humility, generosity to all, and her acts of holy piety.  Though she didn’t attend the ball nor marry a prince, Germaine’s story is a still a source of inspiration of quiet devotion and holy living.  

In a world of fragmentation and polarization, we need more St. Germaines.  We need people who choose to treat everyone with dignity and love.  We need more people content with a simple life, walk in humility, and develop an awareness of God’s continual presence.  Be like Germaine!  

This Week’s Readings:

  • Monday – Revelation 17
  • Tuesday – Revelation 18
  • Wednesday – Revelation 19
  • Thursday – Revelation 20
  • Friday – Revelation 21

Please Pray for:

  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • The World.
  • The Lost.
  • The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus.    
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Connect: July 26 – August 1 , 2020

CONNECTING THROUGH WORSHIP & PRAYER

Sunday, July 26 | “Restart – Back to the Basic : What to Believe”
w/ Rev. Dr. Shane Green
Worship @ 9AM, 11AM, 1PM & 4PM

Click here to join our online worshiping community.

CONNECTING YOUTH

All SPY Online events will be posted on the SPY Instagram account each week – Be sure to check in online every week!

Sunday, July 26 | “Sunday School Live”
w/ Logan Ogletree & Laura Marvets @12PM on the Zoom.
Look for link on the SPY Instagram.

CONNECTING CHILDREN

All Children’s Online events will be posted on St. Paul Kids Instagram account each week – Be sure to check in online every week!

Sunday, July 26 | “Children’s Sermon”
w/ Sally Key Bowden & Caroline Green @ 9AM, 11AM, 1PM, & 4PM

CONNECTING SMALL GROUPS

Sunday, July 26 | “Seekers’ Sunday School”
w/ Mary Lou Jarrell @10AM. Contact Mary Lou for more information.

Sunday, July 26 | “Bridges Sunday School”
w/ Mark Ellis @10AM. Contact Mark for more information.

Sunday, July 26 | “Wildwood Sunday School”
w/ Evelyn Barfield @9:45AM. Contact Evelyn for more information.

Sunday, July 26 | “Welcome In” Sunday School Class
w/ Buddy Cooper @10AM
Contact Buddy for more information.

Tuesday, July 28 | “Grace Bible Study”
Why By Adam Hamilton
w/ Grace Bailey @11AM in M235 (Wildwood Classroom).
Contact Grace for more information.

Friday, July 31 | Men’s Morning Bible Study
The Book of Acts
w/ Rev. Dr. Buddy Cooper @6:30AM in M220 (Fellowship Hall).
Contact Buddy for more information.

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First Steps – July 20, 2020

This morning while I spent time in quiet reflection, the word patience continually resurfaced.  Much of my time centered around this question, “What is the best way to acquire patience?” I use the word acquire because it is not something one is born with but something that is developed or obtained over time.

Therefore, consider these two questions:

First – Are you willing to acquire it?  It takes time and many will not complete the journey that is needed to develop their inward nature. Patience has to do with one’s heart and how one chooses to respond to things around them.  

Second – Am I willing to let the past go and allow the future to take care of itself?  Often, we are controlled by our past.  We perpetually allow our past mistakes or regrets to dictate our lives. Forgiveness is not just something we receive from God, something we give and receive from others, but something we have to do to and for ourselves.  If God has forgiven our past mistakes, meaning it is not something on His radar screen, then why can’t we follow suit? Receiving forgiveness from God is directly correlated to forgiving ourselves.  

Likewise, the future has enough worry for itself.  At least it did for Jesus (see Matthew 6:34).  He didn’t want something to rob “the now” by introducing something from tomorrow.  When you think about it, most of our fears are tied to false narratives about the future.  Therefore, the key is to live just for this day, nothing more, nothing less.

I believe the key to patience is learning to live strictly in the present moment.  Granted, learning to live this way takes time and discipline; but, if we are willing to acquire it, with prayer and reflection, it is something obtainable.   

I think Paul had it right when he said, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6-7).  Acquire patience —Live for today.

This Week’s Readings:

  • Monday – Revelation 12
  • Tuesday – Revelation 13
  • Wednesday – Revelation 14
  • Thursday – Revelation 15
  • Friday – Revelation 16

Please Pray for:

  • Our ministers and their families.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • The United Methodist Church family.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • The World.
  • The Lost.
  • The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus.    

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