“Doing Life Together”- Worship Service (June 22, 2008)

Changing the water into wine.  It's a familiar Bible Story which Pastor Betsy Ouellette said is really about transformation.  The story of the wedding in Cana in Galilee in which Jesus turned water into wine is found in John 2:1-12.

It was the theme for the sermon the Pastor presented yesterday during the wedding of GSUMC members Drew Kocur and Jamie Rainey.  Betsy said it was appropriate to repeat and enlarge upon the theme today because GSUMC is being transformed by Jesus into a church that is "doing life together."

Drew and Jamie knew each other at KUMC before she went to Africa to lead a children's choir. It was after she was gone and they developed a relationship by mail (email) that their friendship was formed, solidified and grew into love. The Lord had transformed their relationship through distance and mutual friends and acquaintances back home.

Jesus changed the water into such good wine that the host was complimented on bringing out the best wine last. Betsy said Jesus had a plan  for His ministry and performing a miracle this early  wasn't included.  Only two days before that he had chosen his disciples.  He was proceeding along with this plan and as He tried to point out his time had not yet come to perform miracles.  But, there was a need and His mother believed He could help.  So He changed the plan and rescued the embarrassed host. 

The Pastor pointed out that we are all on different points in our spiritual journey.  But, Jesus can transform us by the people around us as we "do life together".  At GSUMC our core values for doing life together including worshiping, learning, serving, and playing together.

Karen Luger, in her children's sermon, talked about Jesus being at the wedding party.  She said it was important, after the fun of the party is over, to seek "alone-time" with Jesus.

Music for today's service featured traditional hymns such as "I surrender all" and "Softly and Tenderly."  Martha Stubbs, executive director for the Arts at Good Samaritan, which will open in mid-August, played piano. Tracie Ashley and Machelle Thompson were the singers.

Photos of this service can be viewed by clicking on "On-line Photo Album." Pastor Betsy's sermon will be placed on-line later as well.

 

 

 

Love in Bloom at GSUMC-June 21, 2008

As Good Samaritan Church continues to grow so does our love for the Lord and for each other.  Building relationships is key to growing God's Kingdom.  Examples of His love and our love for each other are all around us.

On Saturday, a love that grew and blossomed at GSUMC, was publicly demonstrated in the marriage of our Technical Director Drew Kocur to Worship Band member Jamie Rainey.  Pastor Betsy Ouellette conducted the afternoon wedding at Killearn United Methodist Church.  A reception followed at Cross Creek Golf Course.

The wedding ceremony included a brief sermon by Pastor Betsy.  Then the bride sang a song she had written for her husband.  The Pastor led them through the exchanging of vows, They wed each other by placing Tungsten rings on their fingers. Then Drew and Jamie took communition, and served the congregation the elements, also.  The ceremony was preceded by a half hour of uplifting music.

Father’s Day Worship Service (June 15, 2008)

"The Heart of the Father" was the sermon for today's worship service.  Pastor Betsy based the message on the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32.  Although this story is very well known the Pastor encouraged the congregation, as she retold it, to try to place themselves in one of the roles.  They could think of themselves in the situation of the father, the older son who stayed at home and faithfully worked, or the younger, adventuresome, prodigal son who took his inheritance, left home and wasted it.

When the prodigal son returned in shame and embarrassment he was welcomed back by the father to resume his place in the family.  They killed the fatted calf and the celebration began.  Betsy said this story of "rebellion, remorse and return" could be our story as well.  At any time we could experience a fatted calf celebration when we ask for it.  "The love of the (Heavenly) Father is equally shared by everyone.  God's invitation is to each of us."  The party is always set to take place when a return to the Father occurs.

Five new members─Abby Dupree, Susan Kennedy, Cindy Marsiglio, Margaret Mitchell and Joan Stallings─ joined the church by taking the vows and the congregation vowed to support them as well.

Abby and Matthew Dupree were baptized in a ceremony conducted by Pastors Betsy and Erick.

Tracie Ashley gave a Father's Day Message to the children.  She talked about how it was important to learn the things that their fathers like to show their love for Dad.  She said that it is important to know what our Heavenly Father likes also.  The youngsters agreed that Prayer and reading the Bible were things that pleased God, the Father.

Worship band leader Steve Taff  introduced first time bass guitarist Kenny Ashley.  Even though young Kenny (12) had played with the band before there was a need for someone to play bass guitar and he volunteered and picked it up in a week.

Photos of this service can be viewed by clicking on "On-line Photo Album." Pastor Betsy's sermon will be placed on-line this week as well.

 

 

GSUMC Welcomes New Members (June 15, 2008)

The landmark book The Purpose Driven Life (TPDL) by Rick Warren has a chapter (17) entitled "A Place to Belong."  Five people discovered such a place in the Father's Day Worship Service as they were officially welcomed in as new members of Good Samaritan United Methodist Church.   

Abby Dupree, Susan Kennedy, Cindy Marsiglio, Margaret Mitchell, and Joan Stallings became members after taking a training class on Saturday.  The class led by Pastors Betsy Ouellette and Erick Ashley was conducted from 9 a.m. ‘til 12 noon at the home of Carol and Herb McRae.  The training class for new members covers the membership vows and expectations, core values of GSUMC, Questions and Answers about the United Methodist Church.

TPDL points out the importance of Church Membership to a Christian through the eyes of the Apostle Paul, "To Paul, being a "member" of the church meant being a vital organ of a living body, an indispensable, interconnected part of the Body of Christ."  In joining the church these five members fulfilled scripture and became interconnected with others forming a body of believers in Christ.

 

Education Building Progress (June 11, 2008)

Good Samaritan Music Scholarship

Good Samaritan United Methodist Church and the Stubbs' Educational Foundation are pleased to announce the creation of the 2008-09 Scholarship Program. This year we will be able to provide four scholarships to students in grades K-12. The scholarships will be awarded on both a need and merit basis. You can obtain an application from the Information Table at a GSUMC worship service or you can download an application by CLICKING HERE. The deadline for submitting applications is June 30, 2008. If you have any questions you can contact Erick Ashley at Erick@GoodSamaritanTallahassee.org or 933-4609.

“Believing God’s Promise”-Worship Service (June 8, 2008)

The emphasis in today's service was on promises.  Before Pastor Betsy Ouellette preached on "Believing God's Promise" the church made a promise to nurture and support baby Jack Schrieber who was baptized by the pastor.  His parents Kurt and Leigh and a number of family and friends were present.

Then, referencing Romans 4: 13-25, Betsy talked about how the patriarch Abraham was made right by faith and how God rewarded him.  Even though he and his wife Sarah were well beyond the normal child bearing years God promised him; "Your descendants will be as numerous as the stars, even though such a promise seemed utterly impossible."  The Pastor said, "God invites you to believe, to have faith."  God always fulfills his promises, if we have faith, even if it is a backup plan that He works through. Nothing is impossible with God.

Lorie Small addressed the children about God's role in the creation of all things.  She told the youngsters in the children's sermon, that when they do something like making a painting, they are being creators as well.

Photos of this service can be viewed by clicking on "On-line Photo Album." Pastor Betsy's sermon will be placed on-line this week as well.