#bellefontaineumc Today's scripture: Matthew 13:31-35; 44-52
#bellefontaineumc Rapid-fire parables about Heaven -- Heaven is something we search for but it also finds us-- Heaven is not easy to define-- complex but simple. #bellefontaineumc We miss opportunities to see the kingdom of God when we place limits on God. #bellefontaineumc The kingdom of Heaven surrounds us -- in what we see and hear and smell. God is all around us all of the time. He is with us from the time we are born to the time we die. #bellefontaineumc You want your friends to be with you in the kingdom of Heaven. #bellefontaineumc How are you bringing Heaven to Earth? #bellefontaineumc The "communion of saints" are cheering us on. #bellefontaineumc It's a brand new week, give them Heaven! Matt Tucker, the new pastor for Bellefontaine and Lebanon United Methodist Churches, said he is most looking forward to “becoming part of the family.”
“I hope to love and be loved by the people at both churches and in the community,” Tucker said. “I definitely am looking forward to meeting people and learning about the churches history and where each of the members are in their personal journey in life. And most of all, I hope to help the work of the Lord in the area.” The former director of youth ministry at First United Methodist Church of Kosciusko has been appointed as the new pastor, serving both Bellefontaine UMC with a 9:30 a.m. service on Sunday, and Lebanon UMC with an 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday services, as well as Wednesday night services. Tucker is a 1999 graduate of Kosciusko High School. He attended Holmes Community College prior to a family crisis causing him to put his education on hold for a few years. While working in various positions, including construction and food service, Tucker has been able to take additional college coursework. He has completed lay speaking courses and he is a candidate for ministry training through the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church, with the anticipation attending seminary. Embra Jackson, Starkville District Superintendent for the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church, said as the director of youth ministry at Kosciusko First UMC, Tucker has been able to engage the youth at the church in various ministries including , Bible Study, mission projects character development , etc. Tucker also participants in various ministries of the church including ---singing in one of the choirs, participating a lay servant training, and playing the role of “Jesus” in the Passion Play performance held as a ministry of First UMC Kosciusko, etc. Tucker will be reprising his role again this Spring. “As district superintendent in the Starkville District I believe that Matthew will be successful as the new pastor of the Bellefontaine and Lebanon United Methodist Churches,” Jackson said. “Matthew is very energetic, humble and a student of the Bible. We. in the Starkville District, look forward to Matthew's ministry among us.” Monette Pearson, the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee Chair for Bellefontaine UMC said she is very excited about the new pastor. “ Matt brings a fresh and youthful spirit to our church,” Pearson said. “He is fully dedicated to the mission of our church, in that he has a servant heart and a love for us as brothers and sisters in Christ. You feel his enthusiasm when you are in his presence. And he has vision; a vision to grow our church and make sure all that are in community know that they are welcome to join us in worshiping the Lord. I love the energy our church is experiencing.” For more information about Bellefontaine or Lebanon UMC, please find them on Facebook. More information about Bellefontaine UMC can be found at http://www.bellefontaineumc.weebly.com. #bellefontaineumc You can find encouragement, strength and resources in the Great "I Am"-- remember whose you are!
#bellefontaineumc We can let our fears rule us. Haters are everywhere. Can't let what the haters say change the fact that you are the Great "I Am's" #bellefontaineumc We don't have to worry about comparison -- we are made in the image of God. #bellefontaineumc I think we live "in the wilderness" --- God is working on you! We matter to God all the time. #bellefontaineumc I belong to "I Am" #bellefontaineumc God is big enough for our "not enough's" -- not smart enough, not skinny enough, not good enough -- not _____ enough to go all in for God! #bellefontaineumc Can we identify with Moses' question in verse 13-- who am I to lead the people? #bellefontaineumc Today's scripture reading is from Exodus 3:1-22
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is part three of a series from an article I did on Rev. Embra Jackson in August of 2011 for The Starkville Daily News when he first join us as the Starkville District Superintendent. See the full story at: http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/node/6823
Jackson encourages churches to ‘stay in love’ August 12, 2011 By GWEN SISSON [email protected] Starkville District Superintendent for the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church Embra Jackson said turning to Starkville was strictly through God’s leading. About 15 years ago, the Jacksons lived here while Embra served as the pastor of three churches and taught at Armstrong Middle School and the former Wood Junior College. His wife, Rosia, taught at Emerson Elementary School. “The decision to return to Starkville hinged on me and my family remembering the vow that I made as a United Methodist pastor to go where I am called,” Jackson said. “We relied on God to lead us in choosing to return to this area.” But they had settled in Jackson, where they own a home and have family, including two adult children, his mother and mother-in-law, and many friends. Rosia was teaching at Madison Crossing Elementary School where she had recently been selected as Teacher of the Year. Their two younger children were in school in the Jackson area at Hinds and at Germantown Middle School. Their home church, Anderson United Methodist, is also in Jackson. Jackson said his work as Administrative Assistant to the Bishop was one of his greatest accomplishments. He served under Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, for five and a half years while living in Jackson. During that time, he helped create a local church assemsnet instrument know as A-2, they trained people to become church coaches, and they also emphasized health and wellness. Jackson said the Amazing Pace Walking Ministry earned the Mississippi Conference special recognition from the country’s Surgeon General, Dr. Steven K. Galson. “I preached a revival message at Liberty United Methodist Church (last) Monday,” Jackson said. “In the message I told the congregation that if I had not been able to rely on God through difficult times I do not believe that I would have made it in life. I also contributed all of my earthly success to God and to my family. I have come this far by faith, leaning and depending on God and with the support of my family.” Rosia Jackson is board certified teacher and Jackson describes her as the “love of his life.” She will be working as a second grade teacher at Sudduth Elementary this year. They have four children, Embra III works as a volunteer coordinator at the Veteran’s Administration in Jackson; Ebony is a second grade teacher in the Madison County School System; Emmanuel recently became a member of Amercorp’s Read Misssippi Program at East Oktibbeha Elementary School and Katelyn is entering the eighth grade at Armstrong Middle School in Starkville. Outside of work, Jackson enjoys football and basketball. He also enjoys watching movies and walking the dog, Tanner. He said he is also fascinated by martial arts such as Tai Chi. As for what’s next, he said he will rely on the Bishop and the Lord to determine his ministerial appointments. “However, I know that with faith in God I will be able to help someone along this journey we call life,” Jackson said. For more information about the Starkville District of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church, go to http://www.starkvilledistrictumc.org. EDITOR'S NOTE: This is part two of a series from an article I did on Rev. Embra Jackson in August of 2011 for The Starkville Daily News when he first join us as the Starkville District Superintendent. See the full story at: http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/node/6823
Jackson encourages churches to ‘stay in love’ August 12, 2011 By GWEN SISSON [email protected] As District Superintendent, Jackson is attempting to emphasize four major areas of focus, including evangelism, leadership development, missions/outreach and health/wellness. Jackson has helped the district secure two part time staff to assist in implementing these focus areas. New staff members are Rev. Sarah Windham and Kathy Butler. Windham’s pastor of Christ U.M. Church in West Point. She is serving as the coordinator of the Lay Leadership Academy. Butler, a recent honors graduate of the University of Mississippi for Women, is the coordinator for health/wellness and missions for the district. Butler is assisting in the coordination of the Health Advocate Training that will be lead by Dr. Richard DeShazo of the University Medical Center in Jackson and the Public Broadcasting Radio program, Home Remedy. The health advocate training will be held September 10 at Griffin UMC. Jackson is also engaged in disaster recovery work through a special fund collected by churches in the district. The fund was created through the help of a matching grant of $2,500 from First UMC Columbus. Bishop of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church Hope Morgan Ward, said Jackson is a gifted, dynamic, visionary leader of God’s people. (Ward was the MS Bishop in 2011 at the time the article was written. Dr. James Swanson is the current Bishop for the Mississippi C “He has given particular leadership across Mississippi and the global connection of the United Methodist Church in developing ministries of wellness and in strengthening local congregations for mission in the world,” Ward said. “I am delighted that he is the embodiment of the office of the bishop in the Starkville District. Christ promises abundant life to all. My hope is that he will continue his excellent leadership, focusing on ministries in local churches and on ministries of wellness.” Former Starkville District Superintendent, Giles Lindley, current pastor at First United Methodist Church in Starkville, said he is excited about Jackson’s leadership of this district. “He knows the Starkville District well, having served three different churches in this area,” Lindley said. “But he has a wealth of other experiences — other churches, an urban ministry, serving in the conference office. His work with new churches and developing healthy churches will carry over well to his work here. Having been a District Superintendent and having worked with him directly, I know that he has the patience and common sense to be able to deal with the different problems and opportunities provided by the 100+ churches of the Starkville District.” For more information about the Starkville District of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church, go to http://www.starkvilledistrictumc.org. |