Awakening to Grace week 2 April 26

Awakening to Grace: Becoming Vulnerable to Love
a series of Sunday evenings with preaching, singing and dialogue

April 19-May 10 2015

Our remaining dates are:

The Prize of Grace—Rev. Augusta Anne Anderson  April 26, 5 p.m. Saluda UMC

Participating in Grace—Rev. Brice Harris  May 3, 5 p.m. Columbus UMC

Practicing Grace—Rev. Rob Parsons  May 10, 5 p.m. Saluda UMC

This week, Augusta Ann Anderson is preaching. She is the rector at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Saluda, NC. She is a well-received speaker and priest in the area and currently lives in Asheville, N.C. In discussing the Prize of Grace, Augusta will speak and lead discussion about the work of the Holy Spirit, focusing on fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, generosity and self-control). She will everyone to explore together the work of the Holy Spirit and how to be open to receiving/activating it in our lives.

Our featured pianist is Steve Stone. This is event is free of charge and will be followed by a light supper and continued discussion in the fellowship hall. Saluda United Methodist Church’s address is 53 Greenville St. Saluda, NC 28773. Call Rev. Rob Parsons for more information 828-606-3452.

Awakening to Grace Week 1 April 19

Awakening to Grace: Becoming Vulnerable to Love
a series of Sunday evenings with preaching, singing and dialogue

April 19-May 10 2015

Sponsored by the Columbus and Saluda United Methodist Churches

This series of four evenings is designed help each person allow the amazing grace of God to flow over us and act within us “because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given us.” (Romans 5:5) The exciting aspect of this series is that this kind of grace which many of us haven’t even expected to take hold in us, is probably already at work within us. Our task, if you can have one regarding the free gift of grace, is to receive it. Our task is to understand and practice a way of living that makes us vulnerable to that amazing gift of God’s love that will fill our hearts and spread over our lives and the lives of those around us.

This Sunday will be our first event and it will be at the Columbus UMC at 5 p.m. Pizza follows at 6.

You can email each other to carpool. Rob will have to go down much earlier.

Our first speaker is Rev. Tony Sayer. He was pastor of the Saluda and Columbus United Methodist Churches from 1990 to 2008. He was the first and long-time president of the Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry Board. Tony is currently the pastor of Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Vale N.C.  In discussing the Process of Grace, Tony will speak and lead discussion on the three sides of grace; prevenient, saving and sanctifying. He will also explore how our understanding of conversion has generally become precariously narrow and how we can see our hearts being drawn to God more broadly.

Here's the full schedule. Please invite friends, young and old alike. This will be good!

The Process of Grace—Rev. Tony Sayer  April 19, 5 p.m. Columbus UMC

The Prize of Grace—Rev. Augusta Anne Anderson  April 26, 5 p.m. Saluda UMC

Participating in Grace—Rev. Brice Harris  May 3, 5 p.m. Columbus UMC

Practicing Grace—Rev. Rob Parsons  May 10, 5 p.m. Saluda UMC

At-One-Ment

(Time lapse pic of fun on the Pacolet...)

Psalm 133 says, " How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!"1 John says that Jesus is, "the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."Atonement is meant to make us one with God. It is meant to overcome the things that keep us separated from God. It is important for us to see that God's atoning work is not just for a few or the chosen but for the whole world. It truly is very good and pleasant when we can live together in unity!That's our goal for Stone Soup this week. We'll meet at the church at 5 p.m. sharp so we can all go down to the Lost Forty Trail (off Pearson's Falls Road). We'll have a short hike (with one creek crossing) to the spot to begin worship and picnic. Then those who need to get ready for school to start can head home by 6 p.m. For the rest who are interested, we can either hike the loop or go exploring the Pacolet River. If it's really sunny, and people remain adventurous, we can swim in the Secret Swimming Hole.Bring picnic food to share, a desire for unity and a sense of adventure and wonder!
Call Rob with questions 828-606-3452

He Is Risen Indeed!

Happy Easter.
For Stone Soup on April 5 Easter day we'll meet at 6:45 a.m. on Orchard Hill for the Sunrise Service or if you need the sleep, at 11 in the sanctuary.
Peace and Joy to all
Rob