This morning was a great time of study, worship, fellowship and eating at Canton First United Methodist Church. To begin the morning our small group Bible study looked at “Conflict in Community” as part of a three month series on the New Testament Community.
This week we examined through the ministry of Paul how conflict is inevitable, even among the best and closest of friends. When you mix people, principles, and passion, even in the church community there are going to be differences and disharmony. The challenge is to have peaceable reconciliation.
The theme for our worship service could have been “Worshipping Community in Witness.” Normally our church has three different worship services in three different venues in our building. Today we had one joint service to celebrate what God is doing in our midst, as we are ambassadors of Christ striving to reconcile the world to God one life at a time. Children, Preschool, Youth, and Senior Adult ministries were spotlighted through testimonies. In-between was lots of congregational singing.
Our pastors noted that many community groups use our facilities. They include Cherokee Community Chorale, alcohol and drug addiction recovery groups, civic clubs, Weight Watchers, mentoring, and scouts. Our church allowed our facilities to be used to birth several local organizations, like MUST ministries and Family Violence Center. Through our Family Fund already over $70,000 has been used this year to assist over 1200 families.
The closing speaker reminded us it takes a lot of money to pay the utilities and supply the equipment and personnel to make all this ministry happen. Even in tough financial times we are challenged to share our money, in addition to our time and talents.
As we exited the worship center there were exhibits for different ministries with their leaders available to answer questions. Tables were set up in the Fellowship Hall and outside for us to dine on delicious Williamson Brothers Bar-B-Q (barbeque, ribs, hot dogs & all the fixings) that was provided free of cost.
It was a delicious and satisfying morning in body, mind and spirit!
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