Commonwealth United Methodist Church



Pastor’s Walk

A few of us folks who went to Philmont together were gathered around the table the other day. We were rehashing our adventures as Philmont alums are prone to do when they get together. As we talked about climbing this mountain and forging that stream…tired feet and worn out backs…the vast amounts of dirt in everything and eating food from a pouch, someone asked…”So what was your favorite part; the hiking or the activities?” My son thought for a while and then said, “I liked the hiking best because you never knew what was coming around the bend.”

I have got to say I agree with my son. Although the hiking was not easy, it was not impossible. Sure we would spend a couple of hours to all day making our way up a mountain and I will admit there were times half way up those mountains I said to myself, “Self…what have you gotten yourself into this time!” but all I had to do was look up and suddenly realize just why I was trudging up that mountain with all those young people around me who seemed to be leaping up it without even so much as taking a heavy breath. It was when I looked up…only after my heart stopped pounding in my ears and my lungs stopped screaming for more air…that I noticed the main reason for our climb. We saw some of the most awesome views I have ever seen in my life. Our hikes often had views where we could see mountains standing tall in the far horizon all the way in Colorado. We saw snow covered peaks and valleys so long they looked as if they went on forever. We saw rock formations that had been created and carved by years of wind and rain. We saw deer that looked at us like…”What are you doing in my forest?” We saw skies so clear and crisp they looked almost other worldly and skies which at night put on a light show that rivaled anything in Vegas. In short, while we hiked up and down all those mountains on all those trails and back roads…we saw the hand of God…everywhere!

I am not ashamed to admit that at one point the awesomeness of it all and the realization that God had blessed me with two children who were more than happy to share Philmont with me (just as I shared Philmont with my father some 30 years ago)…well that realization in the Spirit brought me to tears. I am not talking about a little sniff, sniff…isn’t this special. I am talking about a full on nose running, tears dripping from my cheeks cry that went on for longer than I would have preferred. But it was good to know that God and the Holy Spirit were there with me; even in the back woods of Philmont, New Mexico.

You know, God is everywhere and the hand of God surrounds us every minute of our lives. Sometimes it is just harder to notice than others and sometimes the life we lead doesn’t leave us a whole lot of time to stop and notice. I don’t know why it was easier for me to notice God’s handy work up on those mountains than here in my everyday life. But I am grateful that the Spirit opened my eyes a little more to God up on those mountains…opened my eyes to what I need to start praying for, here, back on flatland. My prayer as I slowly adjust back to my work-a-day life is that I will continue to see God’s handy work everywhere I go. My prayer is that I won’t need one hundred mile views and an exhaustive hike up the side of an impossible mountain for me to notice God is with me…creating and magnifying the beauty of Grace in the Spirit all in the name of the forgiving and saving wonder of God’s only and divine Son, Jesus the Living Christ!

Amen,

Rev. Steve Kurt

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The best view comes after the hardest climb.

Worship Schedule

August 20th 11th Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture: Matthew 15: 10-20

Sermon: “Potty Talk”

August 27th 12th Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture: Romans 12: 1-8

Sermon: “Gifted One”

September 3rd 13th Sunday after Pentecost

Communion

Scripture: Exodus 3: 1-15

Sermon: “Who are You?”

September 10th 14th Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture: Romans 13: 8-14

Sermon: “Are you Sleeping?”

September 17th 15th Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture: Romans 14: 1-12

Sermon: “Who are we to Judge?”

Memorial Gifts

Budget

In Memory of: Tim Williams

By: Skip and Jill Pike

In Memory of: Martha Stafford

By: John Beaver and Family

Choir Fund

In Memory of: Martha Stafford

By: Debbie Tucker

In Honor of: Our Choir

By: Kay Little

Our Prayer List

Pat Inman (sister of Jackie Samuels), Martha Lee, Dennis Maliar (nephew-in-law of Ruby Agnew), Donna Pruitt, Charles Stephenson, Carl and Frances Stinson

Nursing/Assisted Living Care

Maxine Kincaid, Hazel Lands, Anne Lever, Sarah Lever, Ec Little, Jean Stoneman

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Prayer Group

Wednesday’s at 6pm

Mary Pearre’s house

Prayer box located in the Narthex

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New Address for Ec Little

Ec Little

The Living Center of Concord

160 Warren C Coleman Blvd. – Room 111

Concord, NC 28027

Baby Girl

Congratulations

Commonwealth would like to congratulate Margie and Ron Medure and family on the birth of their new Granddaughter. Hazel Scarlet Medure was born on Sunday, July 23, 2017 and weighed 9 lbs. 2 oz. and was 21 inches long. The proud parents are Chad and Genevieve Medure and big brothers are Grayson and Noah.

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Music at Cokesbury UMC

Third Thursday of each month

7:00 - 9:00pm

Cokesbury UMC invites you to join them again this month, Thursday, August 17th, when they will be entertained by Hinson Girls (Bluegrass, Family Style). The evening entertainment begins at 7pm in their Fellowship Hall. Donations are accepted.

A hot dog supper will be served at 6pm for only $4 a plate (hot dog with all the trimmings, potato chips, pickle, dessert and beverage)

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United Methodist Women

Metro District - Annual Meeting

Theme is called “Reclaiming God’s Children.”

When: Saturday, August 26th

8:45am - 12:00 noon

Where: Saint Andrews UMC

1901 Archdale Drive

Charlotte, NC

Registration and Breakfast

8:45 – 9:30am

Program 9:30am – 12:00pm

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Administrative Council Meeting

Sunday, August 27

Following worship

Fellowship Hall

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Becca’s College Address

Rebecca Kurt

rlkurt at UNCG

Greensboro, NC 27413

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School Supply Collection

In August we will be collecting School Supplies for Billingsville Elementary.

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Church Office Closed

Monday, September 4

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September Birthdays

2 Walter Rich, Jr.

7 Frances Stinson

9 Lee Stephenson

16 Peggy Bridgers

18 Kay Little

27 Elise McMillion

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September Anniversaries

8 Nancy and John McNamara

12 Shirley and Leonard Laye

15 Sherry and Chris Ruane

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Wesleyan Circle Meeting

Tuesday, September 5

12:30pm

Church Office

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Church Wide - United Methodist Women

Covered Dish Luncheon

Sunday, September 10th

12pm in the Fellowship Hall

Luncheon will be followed by a short meeting and a special program

by Perry Beaver on Women’s Safety

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Book Study

“Waiting for Wonder”

Marlo Schalesky

Wednesday’s

August 23, 30

September 6, 13, 20 & 27

3:00-4:30pm

Mary Pearre’s house

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Covered Dish Lunch

Sunday, September 17

Following the 11:00 Worship Service

Fellowship Hall

Special Program: “Successful Aging; Navigating the Health Care Landscape”

Panel Discussion with healthcare information about-----

***What are the requirements and laws regarding Medicare vs. Medicaid as you seek to “age in place’ OR consider an assisted living or skilled facility?

***What do you do when you need home health care? How do you begin the process for utilizing this option?

***What is PACE? How do you qualify and enroll in this Program?

***What is HOSPICE? What is PALLIATIVE CARE? How are they different?

Presented by Hospice Team Members:

Hillary Kaylor, Time Sullivan, April Barnes and Carol Anne Lawler

Reservations preferred: sign-up sheet are located in the Narthex, choir room or call the Church office.

Bring your favorite covered dish, chicken will be provided. Hawthorne, The Vine and Memorial UMC have been invited.

Janice, Nurturing Chairman

Outreach Update

A special thank you to everyone that came out to Rita’s Italian Ice on Thursday the 27th. We had great participation from our church family. We enjoyed a nice treat and a fun social time with our church family and neighbors. We also raised $147.43! This money will go to Imagine No Malaria and help save lives in Africa.

Can it be August already? Kids are having to get ready for another year of school. For the month of August, we will be collecting school supplies to help kids at Billingsville Elementary. Just place donated supplies in the shopping cart in the church Narthex.

Thank you to Phyllis Batts and Sandra Pearre for presenting a power point presentation to the Keep Charlotte Beautiful Committee on behalf of our church. The committee was very impressed with our butterfly garden. Also thank you to all those that continue to water the garden and care for the feeders and bath.

Thank you for being the church and caring for so many of our neighbors both locally and globally!

Sandy Painter-Kurt

Outreach Chair

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Vision

With God’s help and guidance, we are a prayerful and welcoming United Methodist church community.

A community dedicated to making of disciples for Christ – one that is flexible, intentional, inviting to others, and a safe place to explore and grow spiritually.

We will be all those things in Christ by taking small prayerful steps, keeping in mind that, although we may be limited in our abilities, the Spirit of God knows no such bounds and will work within and through us to accomplish wondrous and great things!

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Flowers on the Altar

Dates are still available if you would like to put a small vase of flowers on the altar “in memory of” or “in honor of” an individual. Please fill out the sign-up sheet located in the Narthex.

Thank you in advance for adding a “special touch” to our worship service.

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Our Stewardship

July 23, 2017

Sunday School - 12

Church Attendance - 22

Offering - $1,395.00

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July 30, 2017

Sunday School - 9

Church Attendance - 36

Offering - $822.00

August 6, 2017

Sunday School - 12

Church Attendance - 26

Offering - $2,243.14

August 13, 2017

Sunday School - 11

Church Attendance - 28

Offering - $1,680.00

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Commonwealth

United Methodist Church

2434 Commonwealth Ave.

Charlotte, NC 28205-5132

704-376-4924

August 15, 2017

Steve Kurt – Pastor

Patience Brumley – Pastoral Care

Sunday School – 10:00am

Worship Service - 11:00am

Office Hours

Mon. – Thurs. 9am to 1pm

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