Teaching Night

Sunday Evenings 6:00-7:30 pm

Beginning January 9, 2011

Church Sanctuary

Discover God’s Word!

We are excited to announce the launch of a new ministry called “Teaching Night” at the White Cloud United Methodist Church beginning Sunday, January 9th, 2011. The focus of this new ministry is to equip people with a faith that works in real life through the study of Scripture. If this sounds familiar to you it’s because our church’s vision for ministry states that equipping is a part of our purpose as a church. We believe that people’s lives are changed and transformed as they grow in the Word of God. One of the congregational goals listed in our strategic ministry plan is to expand upon the small groups for study that we already have in place. Teaching Night is not intended to replace existing small groups but rather to offer another option for learning and growing in the faith at White cloud United Methodist Church.

Teaching Night is for the churched and unchurched as well. We welcome anyone who is interested in exploring the Bible to join together with others in the study and discovery of God’s Word for their lives.

The format for Teaching Night will include praise, prayer, and Bible teaching and small group interaction. Snacks and refreshments will be readily available throughout the night and the nursery will be available for child care upon completion. Leaders for Teaching Night include Kirk & Angie Wyers, Jim & Judy Hart, Helen Reid and Pastor Jeff. In the effort to prevent burn-out and keep the teaching fresh the leaders will alternate teaching on a monthly rotation or sometime share the responsibility with another. We encourage every participant to bring a bible with them to Teaching Night, if you do not have a bible let one of the leaders know and a bible will be provided to you.

Finally, the Bible tells us that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17 NKJV). Come to Teaching Night and discover what God’s Word has to say to you!

 

 

Vision Night’s Return in 2011

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Thursday, December 8, 2011

“Where there is no vision the people perish”

Proverbs 29:

The Bible says that where there is no vision the people perish. Vision is vitally important to directing and sustaining the life and mission of the church. Just as a regular eye examination is important to maintaining and correcting our vision it is equally as important to periodically examine and assess the vision and goals of the church to ensure that we are seeing God’s vision for the church clearly. Vision Night’s are intended to communicate and clarify the vision and goals of the church through the spiritual and missional lens of faithfulness so that the congregation can remain informed and focused upon the collaborative work of ministry to which it is called. We encourage everyone to come and hear the stories of who we are and who God is calling us to be. To discern how far we’ve come, where we are going and how we will get there. God’s vision promises a future for his people. Vision Night’s will be held in the church sanctuary from 7:00-8:00pm.

 

 

Second Worship Service Launch Date: May 1, 2011

Nearly two and a half years ago a study team for renewal in our church (L3 group) identified a second worship service as an essential tool for reaching the unchurched of our community. The total ministry of the White Cloud United Methodist Church is enriched by the expansion of options offered for worship at our church. We will continue to offer a traditional style worship service at our church for those who value the sacred traditions and music that have made their worship experiences so meaningful in the past. In addition we will be adding a more contemporary or alternative style of worship service that is radically different from traditional church worship. The purpose for the additional worship service is to awaken a need for worship in those outside the church, to reach the unchurched of our community with the good news of Jesus Christ. A large percentage of the unchurched do not have a faith formation history that has been shaped by the values and traditions of church worship while others remain skeptical of institutional rituals as authentic worship, thus the name for this service Worship Awakening.

The Worship Awakening service will be structured to awaken all the senses through a style of worship that will be radically different and perhaps strangely odd. The worship music will be loud, the dress will be casual even for the pastor, and the frequent use of lighting and videos will be utilized to enhance the teaching and singing. Personal testimonies and faith sharing will be encouraged through invitational responses and the absence of a printed order of worship could leave the traditional worshipper empty and wanting or shaking their heads and wringing their hands in disbelief. Is this worship? Welcome to the cultural and generational dilemma that is transforming worship.

A lot of the tension that exists around the addition of another worship service evolves out of the normal fears of change and transitioning into the unknown future. Will the second service be successful? What will be the service times? What about Sunday School? In the coming months and days many of those questions will be resolved and communicated to the congregation. However, some questions and fears will only be answered through the steps of faith into God’s future. In this time of anxiety and of great anticipation of adding a second worship service we must prayerfully resist the temptation of turning God’s vision into a competition. This is our mission. May the divisions that have grown among us begin to be transformed by God’s unified vision for us? When we feel like there is nothing good to say then let us take the opportunity to pray that one person’s life would be changed through the addition of this worship service to our ministry. To God be the glory!

“Arise, shine: for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” -Isaiah 60:1