Cutler Ridge United Methodist Church

We’ve Moved our web-site

cutlerridgeumc — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:56:04 +0000

Please follow this link to our new web-site

http://cutlerridgeunitedmethodistchurch.yolasite.com/

cutlerridgeumc — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 21:58:57 +0000

February 22nd – Ash Wednesday. Join us at 7pm for this special prayer service which begins the church season of Lent. Imposition of Ashes in the sign of a cross will be given as a sign of our journey to the cross.

Huge Indoor Flea Market!!! Friday February 24th from 8am – 12noon and Saturday February 25th from 8am – 1pm. There will be many household items, clothes, toys, games, plus much, much more. There will also be hotdog lunch, baked goods and coffee, sodas & chips available.

LifeLine Screenings will be on-site inthe Fellowship Center on March 14, to offer a variety of medical screening tests at affordable costs. Contact them at 888-653-6443 for pricing, registration and times.

E-Devo Feb. 15, 2012

cutlerridgeumc — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:05:32 +0000

eDevo
A mid-week boost from Pastor Amber

Blessings or Curses?

Some of you have heard via facebook about the incident I had this weekend with an angry driver. The short story is that I pulled out onto Old Cutler and didn’t see a car coming in my blind spot. The person blared the horn all the way into the neighborhood where we stopped. He and his wife yelled at me for “my stupidity” that almost caused a wreck. I tried to apologize, but he wasn’t interested. I tried to change the subject to the crosses hanging from his rearview mirror; he wasn’t interested in talking about faith either. He drove off yelling and lifted his middle finger at me. All the while, my five year old, his teenager, and the kids across the street observed this tirade. As I have said since then, witnessing that anger and rage made more of an impression on me than merely having a “near miss” on a busy road.

But the next day, I had a completely opposite experience, a positive “Miami” moment. My kids and I were at the park and they wanted to watch a “pick-up” men’s soccer game. We sat on a bench and enjoyed the fun. To add to the pleasant atmosphere, a man sat nearby with his guitar practicing chords. Eventually, the boys were ready to move on with their scooters. But moving for boys means racing. Of course, the little one got knocked off his scooter and started crying blaming the other one. Crying and blaming broke the golden moment. But then the man on the guitar started singing, “Thank you, Lord, for this day…this beautiful day” His music immediately reminded me that it was a beautiful day and a gift from God- as are my kids.

His words & music felt like a blessing. In a subtle way, he brought God and God’s grace to the forefront of the moment. Unlike the man in the car whose angry words went into the world as a curse, pushing away any thought of God, grace, forgiveness, or thankfulness. It makes me think of Moses’ final words to the people:

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live! Choose to love the Lord your God and to obey him and commit yourself to him, for he is your life (Deuteronomy 30: 19-20 NLT).”

What choices do you have before you today, choices that may be pulling you in two different directions? How can you choose life & blessing? Many took the opportunity yesterday on Valentines to tell our loved ones words of blessing. What stranger or co-worker would benefit from a word of blessing today? You don’t have to be overt (like a giant red heart card), but how can you bring a word of thanksgiving or grace into the moment? Is there a way to gently name God in a tense or hurting moment? If you are able to choose life and blessing today, maybe others will witness your choice and be inspired to do the same. Glory be to God for His untold blessings!

Peace,
Pastor Amber

Welcome Rebecca!

cutlerridgeumc — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:01:14 +0000

Welcome to our new choir director, Rebecca Gonzalez, and her family Simon and daughter Lea.

10 Things Jesus Never Said

cutlerridgeumc — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:54:43 +0000

Starting January 8, 2012, Pastor Amber will be starting a series “10 Things Jesus Never Said and Why you Should STOP believing Them” Be sure to hear these great sermons, starting at 10:15am with EXALT & PRAISE followed by Worship at 10:30am

Holiday Schedule

cutlerridgeumc — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:55:19 +0000

12/18 Sunday, 10:30am

Choir Cantata – “Love Came Down”

12/21, Wednesday, 7:00pm

Blue Christmas: A quiet prayer service for those who are experiencing loss and sadness this holiday season. Nursery available.

12/24, Saturday, 7:00pm

Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion service. Nursery available.

12/25, Sunday, 11:00am

Christmas Day! A casual service of Lessons & Carols. Including a “Birthday Party for Jesus” for the kids. Come as you are! Nursery available

1/1/2012, Sunday 10:15

New Year’s Day! Starting at 10:15 with EXALT. Communion with prayers for healing in the New Year.

cutlerridgeumc — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:41:28 +0000

Dec2011Jan2012 Calendar

November 5, 2011Annual BBQ & Country Fair

cutlerridgeumc — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:48:30 +0000

Our annual BBQ & Country Fair on November 5th, 2011 from 8AM- 5PM. Fresh, hot from the oven, cinnamon rolls in the morning. Indoor craft display and homemade baked goods. Many vendor booths and free rides for the kids. Our wonderful 1/4 grilled chicken dinner with baked beans, corn on the cob and a soda of your choice for only $5.00. Dinners will be served from 11am – 4pm. See you there!!

Halloween Fun Night

cutlerridgeumc — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:12:32 +0000

Sunday October 30 4-6PM

Cutler Ridge UMC, Fellowship Center

Don’t miss this faith-filled, family-friendly event!!!

Indoor Games
Costume Contest (no scary costumes or toy weapons)
Prizes & Goodies

This holiday fun night is ideal for small children and will be a fun, safe alternative for Halloween.

E-Devo October 20, 2011

cutlerridgeumc — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:51:08 +0000

Dear Friends,

When scripture and the message get you thinking after worship is over, you know God’s word has rung true. I hope that’s the case for you as we’ve been exploring the Parable of the Lost Sons (Luke 15). For the most part, Jesus befriends the younger, rebel son; remember the Pharisees are always criticizing Jesus for hanging out with sinners. However, he preaches these parables—teaching lessons—to the religious insiders of his day who resembles the moralistic elder son. On Sunday, I left you with the simple question: Which son are you? Our personal faith journeys are certainly influenced by the answer to that question. Has your journey been one of rebellion and wandering? Or have you lived your faith by the letter of the law and expecting others (including God) to do so, too?

This parable reminds me of a wonderful movie called Chocolat…ever seen it? The story is about a village of “elder son” types who exclude the wandering river people and eccentric loners, including a flamboyant single mother who sells homemade chocolate during Lent. The town mayor is the chief of all “elder brothers,” who leads the charge to condemn immorality. He finally comprehends the grace of God when he succumbs to his own weaknesses and is caught red-handed. (If you’ve ever had an insatiable midnight craving for chocolate, then you’ll appreciate his downfall.) We cannot fully appreciate the grace of God given to others until we acknowledge and depend on it completely for ourselves. What’s also obvious in the movie is communal and individual lack of joy among the town’s folks. By the end, they truly know how to celebrate Easter—and enjoy a good party—because they have welcomed all.

This is Jesus’ commandment: Love one another, and in doing so our joy will be complete (John 15.) Or as Mike Slaughter put it in his book Unlearning Church, “Jesus’ preoccupation is with people that are in need. He is not concerned about our claims to love and serve him, but our willingness to demonstrate that love through caring for those who are still on the outside and not yet experiencing God’s party. ‘If you love,’ Jesus is saying, ‘you will be my connection to those who are not here.’” We’re not done yet with this Parable. We’ve got one more person to talk about…see you on Sunday!

Peace,
Pastor Amber