Victory UMC

HOMECOMING AT VICTORY Sunday, June 6, 2021 We are very excited that Dr. Steve Davis will bring the message for our homecoming service. There will be dinner outside under the arbor after the service. We look forward to seeing you Sunday, June 6!

PASTOR'S CORNER I am so excited to be leading a Bible study on Thursday mornings at 10 a.m. based on Adam Hamilton's newest book, "Words of Life". You are invited to join us for the next 9 Thursdays (Carrollton FUMC, Room 207) to look at the 10 Commandments from a fresh angle. ... Nearly everyone has heard of the Ten Commandments, the list of "thou-shalt-nots" found in the Bible. However, Jesus saw these commandments not as onerous burdens, but rather as guideposts to help us experience a good and beautiful life. These ten ancient "words" were given to us by a loving God who longed to set safe boundaries, create order out of chaos, promote peace, and protect us--often from ourselves. We will consider these commandments in their historical context and unpack how Jesus re-interpreted them to show that each "thou shalt not" actually points toward a life-giving "thou shalt. This Sunday, we will look at how the first commandment is "At The Center of it All" and what that might mean. Let's explore together how putting God at the center of our lives will guide us toward a more beautiful and productive world. If you would like to read our scripture in preparation for next Sunday's service, please read Exodus 19:9-20:3. I won't be taking the next ten months to preach on the 10 Commandments, but in several of the coming months, I do look forward to looking at these ancient words together to hear what message God has for us today. Blessings, Faith

Pastor’s Corner We are heading into what is typically the most stressful time of the year for most of us. Add to the normal upheaval the fact that the presidential race is still up in the air and additional Covid restrictions loom on the horizon, and you have a recipe for what looks to be an extra-stressful time. In addition to these facts, there's the added reality that many have lost jobs and are uncertain about future employment. There is a lot going on here, folks!... At Carrollton First UMC, I teach a Sunday School class for young adults. Our Advent Sunday School study this year is called "Finding Bethlehem in the Midst of Bedlam". In the study, the author purports that Christmas has always been chaotic, noisy and crowded--even the first Christmas! When we look at a nativity scene, we imagine a peaceful stable with animals gently lowing, shepherds bowing and Angels' wings whispering overhead. But that's not really how it was! Jesus was born in the middle of a chaotic time! Because of the census, Mary and Joseph had to go to Joseph's ancestral home, Bethlehem, to be counted. Bethlehem was a small village--some biblical scholars say as small as 300 people. With the influx of people for the census, there were possibly a few thousand people in this tiny town! So, Jesus was born right into the midst of chaos. It is actually fitting that Jesus was born into the midst of an uncertain time. The Eternal God came into human form specifically to address the chaos of humanity, a chaos of our own making. So, can we find Bethlehem in the midst of Bedlam? Isn't that the challenge each and every year? Why do we do it? Why do we keep trying to create that idyllic scene and climb into it? I believe it's because we truly believe that it is possible to find the true spirit of Christmas. Because we believe we can somehow find peace amidst turmoil. Somehow, someway, the Peace of that baby in the manger will give way to the Hope we desperately need for Joy and Love in this crazy world. Let's journey together to find Bethlehem in the mist of our own Bedlam. Peace, Faith Patton

PASTOR’S CORNER It is unclear exactly when the church officially began to honor the "Saints" who died in Christ. In the 4th and 5th centuries, there were celebrations and remembrances of the Saints celebrated on May 13th, and these became more official in 609 a.d. when Pope Boniface rededicated the Roman Pantheon to "St. Mary and the Martyrs." Centuries later, the observation was moved to November 1st (by one of the Pope Gregories) and called "The Feast of All Saints" or "...The Feast of All Hallows." Halloween is actually a contraction of "All Hallows Eve." The date of November 1st was intentionally chosen as a replacement for the Celtic celebration of Samhaim, which was the first day of Winter. Samhaim was also the name of the "Lord of the Dead." It is fitting that the church would replace a celebration of death with a celebration of "life beyond death." The Feast of All Saints celebrates that those who die in Christ not only go on to live eternally with the Lord, but are also still with us in a sense and are there as the "great cloud of witnesses" to encourage us in our faith as we journey through this life. This Sunday, November 1st, is All Saints Sunday. During worship, we will have a time of remembrance for those in our fellowship who have passed on to eternal life over the past year. The following are names that we have received of people we will want to remember this Sunday. If you know of any name we have left off, please don't hesitate to contact Faith at [email protected] or 678-943-4865. Tommy Greer Bob Thomason Mary Ann Sullivan John Inman Ouida Inman Rachel Striplin Price Hugh (Bill) Barrow Our sermon series on Lessons from Genesis takes us this week to the story of Joseph, and how a young, self-absorbed dreamer became the instrument God used to rescue His chosen people from famine and starvation. It is a story which reminds us that God's story is much, much bigger than our own. It also reminds us that God has a special place for us within His story if we will listen to His call on our lives---no matter what our circumstance. If you would like to read the story of Joseph in its entirety, it's in Genesis 37-50. Until Sunday, Faith

Pastor’s Corner Happy Fall Y’all! I’m so glad that we are getting into cooler weather. This is my favorite time of year! In no time, the trees will really put on a show. I have a pastor friend who lives in Tennessee, but has also lived in Maine. Today, I saw a picture that he took of a beautiful fall scene. The trees literally looked like they were lit from the inside, the colors were so brilliant. It was just a stunning reminder of God’s handiwork. ... That picture got me to thinking about what is actually happening during the fall. Nature is moving toward a time of dormancy, what appears to be a death of sorts. In the process of dying, the leaves on the trees become more brilliant and outstanding than they ever were during the prime of their life. I’ve heard it said that a dry summer leads to more brilliant foliage in the fall. I don’t know if that’s true, but it is a life lesson of sorts, I suppose. The challenges and struggles of life can actually strengthen us and prepare us to be a beacon of the light of Christ. As Paul said, the power of Christ is made perfect in our weakness (1 Cor 12:9). So, like those leaves who seem to glow from within, especially when they have had a dry summer, we are called to be a glowing witness to the power of Christ in this messed up, confused and hostile world. Oh, friends, pray for our nation and our world! I am looking forward to this Sunday, when we will have a time of dedication for the new memorial garden that is now finished and will be dedicated to the honor and memory of Pastor Tommy Greer. Join us for worship and this special time. I will continue my sermon series on Life Lessons from Genesis. This Sunday, we are looking at the call of Abram. This is a very familiar and important story! I want us to look at how it is also a transformational story and how the world was truly changed because Abram believed God and did what God told him to do. I have so enjoyed getting those texts and emails that introduce tell me a bit about yourself and give me a visual. Keep them coming! Until Sunday, Faith

Do you remember that mini- essay from the 90’s by Bob Fulghum titled All I Really Needed to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten? This evolved into a wonderful book as well. In this essay, Fulghum talked about all the simple, yet really important, stuff he learned right there in kindergarten and how, wouldn’t the world be a much better place if we adults could remember and live by these practices. Well, this Sunday, we’re going to embark on a series of sermons based on life l...essons we learn from Genesis. I’m not calling this Everything I needed to know I learned in Genesis, because we don’t get a clear picture of Christ there, but I sure do think there are plenty wonderful insights into the nature of human beings and God that we can glean from these ancient stories. This Sunday’s message is titled Why the heck did Eve eat that apple? Join us in worship as we delve into the nature of sin and what the fall tells us about God, about ourselves, and the relationship between God and us. I’m truly enjoying my time with everyone at Victory. This is a special fellowship!! However, I am having problems remembering names, since we only see each other once a month. I really want to be able to confidently call you by name. I would appreciate if you would be willing to snap a selfie and text or email to me at 678-943-4865 or [email protected] Also, here’s the link to that Fulghum essay if you would like to read it again. https://cpco.on.ca/files/9214/0182/6527/NeedToKnow.pdf Looking forward to our time together Sunday! Blessings, Faith

"Where Can I Go from Your Spirit? Where Can I Flee from Your Presence?" (Psalm 139:7) One of the saddest things about this whole Covid19 pandemic has been the stories of people who have been admitted to the hospital with Covid19 and then are not allowed any visitors. Especially in the early days of the pandemic, many of those admitted to the hospital were older adults and were dying. Their family and loved ones could not come into the room with them. They were alone duri...Continue reading