1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

Skipwith United Methodist Church
SKIPWITH UNITED METH ODIST
CHURCH
2211 Skipwith Road
PO Box 32104
Richmond, VA 23294
RETURN SERVICE
REQUESTED
Non-Profit Org.
U. S. Postage
PAID
Richmond, VA
Permit No. 2039
Skipwith Pilot
Phone: 804-270-6560
Fax: 804-270-6613
Email: skipwithumc@verizon.net
Website: www.skipwithumc.com
Love God
Follow Jesus
Serve Others
October 2014
Letter from the Pastor
Inside this issue:
Korea Mission Trip
2
Sign & Patio Dedication
3
Walk to End Alzheimer’s
3
8 Rules to a Better Life
3
My Vision
4
One Another
5
Sharing Your Faith
6
4 Reasons Why Practicing
Your Faith Matthers
7
Backpack Ministry
8
Follower of Jesus
9
And Still Others
Observe…
9
Birthdays
10
SOS
10
Attendance
10
Deadline
10
Sunday School News
11
Pansy Sale
11
Calendar
12
On A Journey
13
Circle News
13
Finance
14
Counters Needed
14
Brick Sale
15
Leadership Council
15
Back Cover—Community
Fair
Dear Friends:
I remember back in 1990 when I first started practicing law, I had a
special drawer where I kept notes of affirmation and appreciation.
It was the middle desk drawer on the right. And from time to time I
would open the drawer and look at those notes to remind myself that
what I was doing mattered and that I was good at it—at least in
someone’s eyes. Maybe you have a drawer or a box or a place where
you keep similar notes.
Now I have no drawers since I choose to work around a big table instead of at a desk. So, it is good that I have learned to hold in my
heart the appreciation of others and the sense of a job well done. But
if I still had a drawer for positive and encouraging notes, I would
keep in there all of the birthday cards you showered upon me last
month. Your many cards and notes (yes, I needed a basket to carry
them) expressed your great appreciation and the same lovingkindness
that I experience whenever I visit, worship, teach, and work with
you. As I read each one, it underscored for me exactly what I have
found at Skipwith—and what others who have been our guests in
worship over the past several months have told me—each of you extends yourself in welcoming others like family and you offer the love
of Christ with skin on. If you have a drawer, perhaps you will put
this note in there—or find a way to hold in your heart the fact that
your loving and encouraging others matters and you are good at it!
But more importantly, in the words of Paul, I urge you to “encourage
one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1
Thess. 5:11. Encouragement makes it easier to live in a fallen
world in a holy way. As we live each day seeking to become better
followers of Jesus, encouragement makes it easier to love as Jesus
loved (John 13:34-35) and gives hope, (Romans 15:4). Without
(Continued on page 2)
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In Honor and In Memory of...
(Continued from page 1)
encouragement, we can be overwhelmed by the very real pains of our lives, feel unloved, or
begin to think that God is unconcerned with our welfare. And not only that, the world needs
the encouragement that you offer in Christ’s name beyond the church walls. I pray that that
you find encouragement—support and God’s strength—and that you will be the voice of
hope that inspires people around you.
The new patio surrounding our sign will be made up of 4” X 8”
bricks, professionally installed. Now is your chance to honor or remember someone special while contributing to the beauty of the
church.
Peace and joy!
Teresa
Envision a brick, on which is engraved:
We Love our Grampa
The Jones family
November 3, 2013
Korean Mission
Our pastor, Rev. Teresa McRoberts, asks for your prayers as she joins our
bishop, Young Jin Cho, on a pilgrimage to South Korea October 15-23.
Bishop Cho is taking a select group of Virginia clergy on this trip to
allow them to experience first hand the fruit of Methodist mission work
and the power of prayer at work in the Korean Methodist Church. The first
protestant missionaries witnessed in Korea 130 years ago and today the
Korean Methodist Church is among the largest in the world. In addition,
the ministries of the church are grounded in daily prayer of members of the
local congregations.
Bishop Cho also wants to invoke a spirit of transformation around the Virginia Conference,
saying, "If clergy is changed then the church can be changed." Pastor Teresa is excited about
the experience and plans to capture the spirit of transformation and renewal and grasp a global
perspective on the Christian faith.
While she is away, she hopes to keep the church informed with photos and updates to the
church office and via Facebook. Our own Evelyn Fouraker will bring the message in both services as the church celebrates Laity Sunday on October 19. And Wednesday Bible Study will
meet as usual under the able leadership of Rev. Kelley Lane, an ordained deacon whom Pastor
Teresa has as a student in her first class of Disciple Bible Study.
As you pray for the Bishop, all the pilgrims, Pastor Teresa, and the host churches, please
keep in mind that the time in Korea is 13 hours ahead of Virginia.
or
MARRIED 60 YEARS!
Charlie & Brenda
June 21, 1953
The engraved bricks are $50 each. This price includes 3 lines of 20 characters each; or 3 lines
of 12 characters if clip art is chosen. The order form is available in the foyer, from the church
office or via our website.
Use your imagination! They make great gifts.
Please note: Any bricks ordered at this time will not arrive in time for the Sign and Patio
Dedication on October 26.
Leadership Council
September 14, 2014





Proposal from Building and Grounds to have an in ground
basketball court next to the telephone pole in back parking lot
was approved.
Leadership Council adopted the description of the following
work areas: Leadership Council, Nominations and Leadership
Development, and Delegate to Annual Conference. The Visioning Team is for only six months.
Descriptions of other work areas will be submitted for approval at Leadership Council meeting on Sunday, November
9 at 12:15 PM.
Charge Conference will be with District Superintendent,
Steve Jones, Sunday, November 23rd at 4:00 PM.
Ministry Handbook, “Local United Methodist Church” was
distributed to each Leadership Council member.
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S K I P WI T H P I LO T
S K I P WI T H P I LO T
FINANCE REPORT (as of
August 31, 2014))
Cash Position
This Month
Last Month
Monthly Change
Cash & Investments
$270,878
$273,579
($ 2,701)
Less: Designated Funds
$286,611
$289,373
($2,762)
($ 15,733)
($ 15,794)
Available Funds*
$
61
*A negative figure is not favorable
Budget Summary
Budgeted to Date
Expenditures to Date
Difference*
$28,465
$26,101
($ 2,364)
*A positive figure indicates spending over budget
Giving and Attendance Update
Total
General Expense
General Expense
Contributions
Contributions
Needed to Date
to Date
to Fund Budget
$25,153
PAGE 3
$28,465
Difference*
($3,312)
Average
Average
Sunday Service
Sunday Service
Attendance
Attendance This
Last Month & 12
Fiscal Year &
Months Ago
Same Period Last
Year
72 up from 67
Please join us!
70 up from 63
*A negative figure represents the amount we are below what is needed
Individuals are scheduled to
count about every other
month. Time involvement for
counting is 30 to 45 minutes
after church. Training is
available. If interested,
please contact Al Dorin at
264-5695.
On October 26, we will
have a special dedication
of the new sign, the
supporting tiles, and the
surrounding patio. Please
continue to pray for the
project as the landscaping
and planting is completed
and contact the church
office if you would like
to send invitations to
special people whom you
have honored or family
and friends of those whom you have memorialized. It will be a time for committing ourselves and our church to God's purposes between worship our two worship services!
Cindy and Alan Lobou will be participating in this year's Alzheimer's Walk
on October 18, 2014 to raise money for
Alzheimer's and other dementia research . Alzheimer's and dementia have
affected both of Alan's grandfathers. Please help us with your donations for such a worthy cause. Cash or
checks accepted. Please make checks
payable to "Alzheimer's Association" -it's tax deductible! Thank you!
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S K I P WI T H P I LO T
My Vision...
What are Apportionments and why do they matter?
Being a faithful disciple means following the commands of
Jesus. And Jesus commands us to love one another. How
do we show that love? Jesus tells us to feed the hungry,
welcome the stranger, provide clothing and shelter to the
poor, care for the sick and visit those in prison.
While it would be wonderful if we could reach out personally to everyone who needs our help, we know that is
impossible. But when we join with other members of our
congregation, put money into the offering plate, and participate in the carefully planned system of United Methodist
mission and ministry, our gifts can stretch around the world,
helping those in need and spreading the love of Jesus
Christ, even in places where we can’t go.
FIRST MILE GIVING
When you give to your local church, most of the money is
used to support the ministries of your local congregation.
A portion is also sent to the Annual Conference to collectively support Conference Ministries Apportionments ,
General Church Apportionments, and Clergy Benefits
Apportionments. These are the “First Mile Giving” expected of all United Methodists. The power of our
apportionments—our collective First-Mile giving—is that
it enables United Methodists to do together what no church,
district or annual conference could do alone.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, United Methodists covenant
together to share in the gospel through their prayers,
presence, gifts, service and witness. Apportionments
provide the connection through which this covenant is
realized. As the good news of Jesus is shared in communities and regions across the world through The
United Methodist Church, I invite you to pray with joy
as you share the gift of faith in our Savior.
-March Brown, Director of Connectional Ministries
For Virginia Annual Conference
WHAT IS SECOND MILE
GIVING
Jesus says we should do more
than the basic requirement—we
must walk the “second mile” as
well. We can go beyond the
primary gifts to the church and
contribute “Second Mile” gifts
to specific programs, missionaries and ministries.
There are many ways to participate in Second Mile giving.
For example, there are UM approved programs you can support through “The Advance for
Christ and His Church.” There
are local, national and international ministries supported
through the Advance.
Waiting for chart
I’m on a long journey
A long journey home
It begins with the smallest step
That will lead me to god’s heart
There I hope to find Him
And to set Him well apart.
I’m on a long journey
A long journey home
The path is rough and hard
And not easy to see
But ahead there will be peace and love
Just waiting for me
PAGE 13
The Susanna Wesley Circle will meet on Tuesday,
October 7th at 7:30 PM.
I’m on a long journey
A long journey home
On my way I will have doubts
That He will hear my prayers
And that I will see His face
And feel His loving care
I’m on a long journey
A long journey home
I travel through the night
And I’m feeling tired and lost
When there in the glorious dawn
Is the shadow of a cross
I’m on a long journey
A long journey home
When in the shadow of the cross
I think my eyes can see
The image of the Lord
And he’s waiting there for me
I’m on a long journey
A long journey home
I need to see His nail pierced hands
To know that He is really Lord
And will always be the same
~~Alice Adams
The Lucy Hatch Circle will meet on Tuesday,
October 7th, at 10 AM. PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS THE
FIRST TUESDAY IN OCTOBER. Our project for this
meeting will be working in the yard sale room. Please
bring items for the yard sale at his time.
Starting this month, we will bring items for the
Backpack ministries. Choose your donation from the
list in the Sunday bulletin.
Alice wrote this poem after seeing “A Journey Home”
spot on Eternal Word Televisions Network (EWTN).
That spot featured people returning to their faith or
coming anew to the faith. The poem reminds us that
our faith is never stagnant but fluid and that while we
always have questions God beckons us home. Hear
Alice read a poem at supper on Wednesday,
November 12, 2014.
S K I P WI T H P I LO T
OCTOBER 2014
Sun
Mon
Tue
SUNDAY SCHEDULE:
9:45 AM Connexions Worship
10 AM Sunday School
10:30 AM Sunday ‘Cool
11 AM Traditional Worship
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
10:30 AM
Bible Study
12:30 PM
Dance Class
2
12 Noon AA
7 PM OA
7:30 PM Choir
3
10 AM AA
4
5
2 PM
Morningside
3:30 PM AA
6
11:30 AM OA
7 PM Alanon
8 PM AA
7
10 AM Lucy
Hatch Circle
10 AM AA
11:30 AM OA
12 Noon SOS
Luncheon
12 Noon AA
5:30 PM OA
6 PM AA
7:30 PM
Susanna
Wesley Circle
8
10:30 AM
Bible Study
9
12 Noon AA
7 PM OA
7:30 PM Choir
10
10 AM AA
11
8 AM—1 PM
COMMUNITY
FAIR
12
3:30 PM AA
13
11:30 AM OA
1 PM Line
Dancing
7 PM Alanon
8 PM AA
14
10 AM AA
11:30 AM OA
12 Noon AA
5:30 PM OA
6 PM AA
15
10:30 AM
Bible Study
12:30 PM
Dance Class
Pilot Deadline
16
12 Noon AA
7 PM OA
7:30 PM Choir
17
10 AM AA
18
19
3:30 PM AA
20
11:30 AM OA
1 PM Line
Dancing
6 PM Girl
Scouts
7 PM Alanon
8 PM AA
21
10 AM AA
11:30 AM OA
12 Noon AA
5:30 PM OA
6 PM AA
22
10:30 AM
Bible Study
12:30 PM
Dance Class
23
12 Noon AA
7 PM OA
7:30 PM Choir
24
10 AM AA
25
26
12:15 PM
Visioning Team
meeting
3:30 PM AA
27
11:30 AM OA
1 PM Line
Dancing
7 PM Alanon
8 PM AA
28
8:30 AM SOS
Breakfast
10 AM AA
11:30 AM OA
12 Noon AA
5:30 PM OA
6 PM AA
29
30
31
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Sharing Your Faith
JOHN WESLEY CLASS
One of the main barriers or objections that people encounter when thinking about inviting or
actually inviting others to church is a difficulty in expressing why coming to church (or living
the life of a disciple, or worshipping in community) matters. Here are a few ideas for you to
think about and use when you encounter the barrier or objection “why bother?”
In October THE JOHN WESLEY CLASS will look at the messages of Habakkuk, Job,
and the psalmist as they each experienced hope and God’s help during times when
trouble turned sunshine days into darkness. Habakkuk’s message: God’s word is genuine, and we can rely on it. Job’s message:"I know that my Redeemer lives”. Regardless
what happens, God will provide hope, which satisfies the soul. The psalmist echoes
these same sentiments:"In God I trust”, “God sends His Love and His Faithfulness,”
and “Bring joy to your servant.”
For some people you know, the question they have but are not asking you may be, “Why
bother with Christianity at all?”
One reason to bother with Christianity at all (putting your trust for abundant and eternal life in
Christ—rather than in nothing, in Buddha or in the world) is because it offers both:
 a diagnosis of the root cause of our problem, which is not bad behavior but is our rebellion
against God and
 a solution to this problem that brings us back to God in spite of our own faults and
weakness.
Jesus said,
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the
righteous, but sinners’ (Mark 2:17).
Jesus came to bring back into relationship with God, all people who had been or would be
separated from God because of their sinful (sick, rebellious, self-focuses) human nature. Because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, our condition (sin) has been dealt with by
God and we are free to have a relationship with a loving, all-powerful God. We did not (and
do not) earn this restoration. Jesus has done everything that needed to be done for us to receive all this as gift from God-we call this work of God “Grace.” And we call the message of
Jesus in the world “gospel” because it means “good news.”
By the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians can live their lives free from guilt about their condition, free from fear of the consequences of diving justice, and empowered to change. If we
are open, God gradually reveals the things about us that are not as they should be and teaches
us to live a better, more loving, more fulfilling life. We call living this way “walking with Jesus,” “following Jesus” or being a disciple. In this way, life has a sense of purpose. Nothing
that happens is meaningless and everything is working together to bring about God’s good
purposes.
submitted by Anna Bucher
REFUGE SUNDAY SCHOOL COMBINES WITH THE TNT CLASS
submitted by Evelyn Fouraker
Two Skipwith Sunday Schools have now combined. We have an expanded adult Sunday school class that
we urge you to visit at 10:00 AM on Sunday mornings.
Sunday ‘Cool is a new Sunday morning gathering for kids from
grades 1 to 12. From 10:30 to 11:00 every Sunday we will discuss
a Bible story, eat a donut, and have some fun! We times it so that
young people can attend worship before, or after, Sunday ‘Cool.
Invite a kid to Sunday ’Cool! Questions? Want to help?
Contact Scot McRoberts at 564-9317.
Brighten Your Yard and Someone’s Future
According to Shalom Farms, a farming and food ministry of the United Methodist Urban
Ministries of Richmond (UMUMR), thousands in Richmond lack access to healthy food. The
Shalom Farms ministry of UMUMR follows the adage, “Gardening is an
instrument of grace” as it engages area churches and individuals in planting,
harvesting, and packing produce to distribute around Richmond.
You can participate in this ministry through your prayers and by purchasing
pansies to benefit Shalom Farms.
Order your pansies through Mary Moran (270-1499) by October 14, 2014 and
pick them up at the church in the prayer garden on Friday, October 17 between 11:30 AM and 12 Noon.
A flat (32 plants) will cost $20. Half of a flat (16 plants) will cost $10 and
one-fourth of a flat (8 plants) will cost $5.
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S K I P WI T H P I LO T
PAGE 7
Four Reasons Why Practicing Your Faith Matters
SOS NEWS
submitted by Edie Christ
Enjoy a nice meal with your Skipwith friends. Our
monthly luncheon will be held on October 7th at
Shoney’s at noon. Hope to see you there!
Come to Bob Evans for breakfast on Tuesday,
October 28th at 8:30 AM. Good food and great
fellowship in on the menu!
October 2—Grace McRoberts
October 5—Mark Parker
October 8—Roz Hemhauser
October 9—Hattie Winstead
October 11—Greg Simmons
October 13—Virginia Loftis
October 14—Ronnie DePue
October 16—Al Peters
October 19—Carrie Warren Pierce
October 20—Frances Datig
October 24—Richard Clay
October 26—Ellen Bush Stack
August 3—77
August 10—66
August 17—72
August 24—74
August 31—71
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
~~ C. S. Lewis
The deadline for the November Pilot
is October 16. Please submit articles
for publication to Anna Bucher or to
the church office. Thank you.
We can avoid Vampire Christianity
Some years ago A. W. Tozer expressed this “feeling that a notable heresy has come into being
throughout evangelical Christian circles—the widely-accepted concept that we humans can
choose to accept Christ only because we need him as Savior and that we have the right ot
postpone our obedience to him as Lord as long as we want to!” (I Call It Heresy, Harrisburg,
PA: Christian Publications, 1974, p. 5f). This “heresy” created the impressions that it is OK
to be a “vampire Christian,”” saying to Jesus:
“I’d like a little of your blood, please. But I don’t care to bge your student
or have your character. In fact, you won’t just excuse me while I get on with my
life, and I’ll see you in heaven.”
The reason not to practice “vampire Christianity” is that because of (and in response to) the
work of God in Christ, you will want to stay just as close to Jesus as you can, in every aspect
of your life. Another person put it this way: People choose to sin—and they are filled with
explanations as to why, everything considered, it is understandable to do so. But, even so, no
one chooses to be a sinner. Have you ever known someone who wsill admit to lying, for example, but stoutly deny that he is a liar?
We can enjoy increasing freedom from failed intentions
Practicing our faith—approaching life as apprentices of Jesus means we want to learn new
ways to interact with God’s redemptive work. As we learn from Jesus how to with regularity
what we know to be right, then we have an increasing freedom from failed intentions. By
what you might call “a practiced abiding” in the words and ways of Jesus (who has already
done the work to save us), we honor God, become better versions of ourselves, and show others what it means to live as a Christian.
Walking with Jesus makes room for real change
As we study with Jesus, incrementally, we are able to become on the inside exactly what we
are on the outside. We gain a simplicity that is authentic and transparent. Removing the duplicity that is so much a part of the human condition is a long process and requires careful
learning from Jesus, especially in a world where we hide what we really think and feel in order to “manage” our relations with others.
The Pharisees were in many respects the very best behaved people of Jesus’ day. But they
located “goodness” in behavior and tried to secure themselves a place with God by careful
management at the behavioral level. Experience teaches us that goodness of behavior to earn
a place with God simply cannot be done.
The result of getting right with God is sometimes called “the fruit of the spirit.” This fruit
does not consist in actions, but in attitudes or settled personality traits that make up the “inner
person.” “Love” captures this fruit (singular) in one word, but in such a concentrated form
that it needs to spelled out: joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
self-control.” (Gal 5:22)
(Continued on page 8)
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S K I P WI T H P I LO T
(Continued from page 7)
One person sums up the goal of discipleship (following Jesus, imitating Christ, Spiritual
growth) as being “pervasively possessed by Jesus through constant companionship with him.”
Discipleship or “Spiritual formation” in the Christian tradition is a process of increasingly being permeated by such character traits as we walk in the yoke with Jesus our teacher. From the
inward character—shaped by the Spirit because we seek it, allow it and accept it—the deeds of
love will (super) naturally flow.
Working with Jesus unleashes God power
One might say that God is in the recruiting business—looking for people to trust with power.
Without God’s power, humanity would remain largely helpless in the face of the organized and
disorganized evils around us. Part of being a Christian is understanding that we are called (by
God) to do God’s work by (or through) God’s power. The biblical picture of human life is that
we were meant to be inhabited by God and live by a power beyond ourselves. Confounding
though it is, experience teaches us that human problems cannot be solved by human means.
Human life flourishes under God’s guidance and leadership. And Jesus teaches us that being
regular students of Jesus (disciples, followers) is how we gather adequate power to fulfill our
calling to be God’s person for our time and our place in this world.
Backpack Ministry
We will be resuming the Backpack Ministry which started last March when some funds were
made available from the Bill & Mabel West legacy. The first delivery will be made the first
week in October and continue throughout the school year. The program serves the neediest
of the children who qualify for free breakfast and lunch at Skipwith Elementary School.
These students are identified by the school guidance counselor who sends letters to parents
who must return their permission slips. We told her we could handle up to 25 this year.
Each week we pack recycled grocery bags with items for 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners 4
snacks, 2 boxes of shelf ready milk and 1 juice box. These are delivered to the school on Friday morning for distribution. The children come to the counselor’s office and the bag is put
in their backpack. You can participate by donating food, plastic grocery bags, money or helping with packing the bags. There will be packing sign-up sheets, a basket for donations and
food lists in the foyer.
We want of provide food with as much nutrition as we can. We do not want
to cause a problem with allergies. Please DO NOT donate anything with
nuts or peanut butter. Juice boxes must be 100% juice.
If you any questions, please call Lois Parker at 288-4944.
S K I P WI T H P I LO T
PAGE 9
Other People may be willing to come to church but are still
wondering, “Why bother behaving or living like a disciple or
follower of Jesus?”
People will note that even in our good deeds we are self-seeking because we want God to be
pleased with us. True—there is a selfish component in every human act and even our best acts
fall shor of God’s perfection. However, we are not relying on our good behavior or deeds to
save us from destruction; our salvation is from, in, and through Jesus. We seek to do God’s
will out of gratitude and love for God’s provision, abundant generosity and saving grace.
Others might say that if we are Christians simply by believing that Jesus did the work to save,
free or redeem us and that is all it takes to have sins forgiven and go to heaven when we die,
why, then, is something more than this belief desirable? We might call that something more
“discipleship.”
Consider these four points about how discipleship is a response:
1. There is absolutely nothing in what Jesus himself or his early followers taught that suggest
you can decide just to enjoy forgiveness and reconciliation at Jesus’ expense and have nothing
more to with him.
2. If we do not become disciples of Jesus –apprentices in kingdom living—then we remain
locked in our old behavioral patterns and ways—what Jesus calls being a slave to sin.
3. Avid discipleship to Christ through the Spirit brings the inward transformationh of thought,
felling and character.
4. When one makes it a routine practice to walk as close to Jesus as possible, there comes a
reliable exercise of a power that is beyond our own power in dealing with the problems and
evils that afflict earthly existence.
And still others observe (or argue), “Still, Can I not be saved—get
into heaven—without any of this?”
God’s goodness and mercy is so great and the work of God through Christ is so powerful that
“discipleship” is not a requirement for salvation or eternal life. Discipleship—even regular,
faithful, shining discipleship—does not give you a better chance at eternal life. Neither does it
guarantee your worldly success and freedom from trial or temptation. Nevertheless, when we
truly trust God—for eternal salvation and with our daily lives—then we want to please God by
living from the inside out in ways that honor God and God’s purposes. The BEST way to
know what pleases God and to discern God’s goals is to immerse yourself in God’s word and
be a part of a community that does the same. We call this practice “discipleship” as we
WORSHIP, WALK, WORK, WELCOME AND WANT TO GIVE!