June News

June News

First Church Family,

     I pray that you are enjoying the end of spring. I’ve had opportunities to be out in my gardens and offered prayers of thanksgiving for the health and strength that God has provided me to tend to His creation.

     Have you ever noticed that God knows our needs and provides? We certainly needed the rains we received at the end of May. And though God is not a heavenly rain man, those rains were provided.

     But I have noticed recently that God provides for me daily. When I am discouraged, God sends encouragement. Whenever I am lonely, God sends a friend. Whenever I feel like I’m walking in the shadows, God provides light.

     In Matthew, Jesus says: “Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:32a-33 NLT)

     I believe those words, and yet I fail to live them out on a daily basis. I am a contented person, but at times there are things that I think I want (that I really don’t need.)

     My prayer for both you and me is that we become even more aware of the ways God knows our needs and meets them, remembering that when we walk in obedience, seeking God above all else and living for Him, He does give us everything we need.

     June is upon us. And there are several important events during the month. On June 5, we will celebrate Youth Sunday and honor our graduating high school students: Molly Triplett and Cary Carpenter. Theirs’ is a small class, but the two of them have committed themselves to our church in meaningful ways. I can’t wait to hear from them on Youth Sunday.

     Sunday, June 19, is Father’s Day. Once again, we will remember the importance of the Christian family. It is also Annual Conference Sunday, when delegates from every United Methodist Church in Western North Carolina will meet to “conference.” Our John Davis and I will represent us there.

     And then, from June 24 – 28, twelve of us will attend one of America’s finest Youth Camps, BigStuf in Panama City, Florida. Please begin praying for God to use that experience in the lives of our nine students and three adult leaders in major positive ways.

     And finally, our work supporting Habitat for Humanity continues. We are about half way to our financial goal of raising $25,000 for the building of our house this fall. Please pray about how God might lead you to participate.

     It is such an honor to lead you and a joy to be a part of our FUMC family here in Lenoir.

Blessings and love,

Pastor Dave