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Grady’s Gravellings
By: Pastor Fred Grady
Maplesville United Methodist Church
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Grady’s Gravelling’s … “We’re just proud to be here”!
Want to receive a BLESSING?
Then
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse
A Franklin Graham Organization
Is for you!
Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations worldwide through simple, gift-filled shoe boxes. Would you join me in making a difference in some children’s lives? Here is what you can do:
Pray. Pray that God will touch the heart of every child who receives a shoe box and that they may come to know Jesus Christ as their savior.
Pack a shoe box. Get one of those old shoe boxes around the house. Decide what age and sex you child will be. Purchase gifts of toys, clothing, school supplies, or appropriate religious material. Wrap your box in Christmas paper. Tape your sticker on the box. If possible, include up to $7.00 for shipping and handling.
Volunteer: To help get the word out to the community about our project and to help with collection and distribution.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SUNDAY
Will be Sunday November 13, 2011 but you can bring your shoe boxes to any Sunday Worship Service.
If you need prayer please call Brother Fred at 334 782-3210. Our pastor’s email address is jgrady2108@charter.net. Our website is: /www.maplesvilleumc.org/.
Grady’s Gravelling’s … “We’re just proud to be here”!
Here's a list of the disciples who are usually considered "the Twelve," arranged in order of the earliest noted in the gospel of Mark:
Group One
- Peter: He was a fisherman from Capernaum (John says Bethsaida). He's also often called Simon, Simon Peter, or Cephas. (Cephas comes from the Aramaic for "rock," and Peter comes from the Greek equivalent for the same.)
- Andrew: He was Peter's brother and fishing partner; John's gospel says that Andrew was first a disciple of John the Baptist.
- James: He was son of Zebedee and a fisherman from Capernaum. He's called "James the Great" in later tradition.
- John: He was James's brother and partner in the family fishing business. And maybe because they're so brazen, in Mark, Jesus gives the two brothers the name Boanerges, which is a Greek form of the Aramaic "sons of thunder" (Mark 10:35–45).
Group Two
- Philip: He was from Bethsaida, another town on the coast of the Sea of Galilee.
- Bartholomew: This member of the Twelve doesn't get a lot of press. There simply aren't any stories about him apart from the list of the Twelve. Since the ninth century CE, some people have wondered if he's the Nathanael mentioned in John 1:45–51 and 21:2. Why? Because Nathanael is a normal first name and Bartholomew was more likely a surname (the Greek is based on the Aramaic Bar-Talmai, which means "son of Talmai").
- Matthew: He's called a toll collector in Matthew's gospel. This reference solves the problem in Mark that the toll collector Levi is called (Mark 2:13–17), but never listed among the Twelve (Mark 3:13–19).
- Thomas: Thomas, or "twin" in Aramaic, is called "doubting Thomas" because he doubted Jesus's resurrection until he could touch Jesus's wounds himself (John 20:24–29). He's also called Didymus Thomas (which is like saying "twin" twice in both Greek and Aramaic).
Group Three
- James: This man, who was the son of Alphaeus, was called in later tradition "James the Less" — not to be confused with James the Great or James brother of Jesus (James was obviously a popular name at the time!).
- Simon: He was called "the Cananean" (which means "zealous" or "jealous" in Aramaic) in Matthew and Mark and "the Zealot" (the Greek equivalent of the same) in Luke.
- Thaddeus: There's a bit of controversy when it comes to the 11th disciple. In Mark and Matthew, he's called Thaddeus. Luke, on the other hand, identifies him as Judas, son of James.
- Judas Iscariot: He's the one who betrayed Jesus to the authorities (so he's always put last on lists of the Twelve!).
IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR … AGAIN!
IF YOU ARE OVER 6 MONTHS OLD, YOU need a FLU SHOT. The prediction is for an uncommon amount and severity of Flu this year. If you are over 50, you also need the PNEUMONIA SHOT. It really protects you from pneumonia! If you have any questions about either vaccine please ask Dixie or Brother Fred.
Grady’s Gravelling’s … “We’re just proud to be here”!
The season we call Fall arrived this week. It will not be long until the trees turn their wonderful colors of Red, Gold, Yellow, and Brown. What a beautiful sight that God has created for our eyes. I’ve always wanted to take a bus tour of New England this time of year. I hear the Fall colors are the best of anywhere in the world. The church too is headed toward a new season. Advent is just around the corner. Each year we, as God’s children, focus our attention on preparing ourselves for the coming of Emmanuel, the Messiah, the Savior, and son of God. Will you make preparation for his coming this year? Or will this just be another year of letting the secular world dictate how you remember His coming into the world. That baby of Bethlehem turned out to be the savior of all mankind. The Holy Scripture says, He came to save all who would believe on him. Will the trees, presents, food, and bustle of the Christmas again steal the real meaning of this coming season? You can be the one in your family that makes it all different this year. You could overhaul the entire Christmas experience. All you need to do is keep Christ in your Christmas planning this year. Let everyone know why you are celebrating and who you are celebrating. Could this Christmas 2011 be the most glorious remembrance of our Savior’s birth ever? Let us join together and sing with our actions “Joy to the World the Lord is come. Let earth receive her king.”
If you ever need help or prayer please call Brother Fred at 334 782-3210. If you would like to schedule a meeting with him call this same number. We don’t want to miss your visit. Know that our pastor is available 24/7 for any emergencies at that same number. His email address is jgrady2108@charter.net.
Grady’s Gravelling’s … “We’re just proud to be here”!
If you read newspapers or watch news casts, you can’t help but be aware of how many families are struggling. Unemployment remains over 9% and that doesn’t begin to take account of all the college graduates and skilled laborers who are working jobs that are far below their abilities and being paid even less. Families are losing their homes and their dreams with them. Poverty is at an all-time high. The bottom line is this: People are hurting all around us. I’m sure every one of you knows someone who is having problems because of the economic recession. Brother Fred, why are you telling us about all this sad “stuff”? My Bible tells me, it is the church’s responsibility to reach out to the poor, the infirmed, the sick, and the economically down trodden. All over our Conference and Denomination churches are becoming missional in their outreach and giving. While I proclaim the primary mission of the church is to make disciples, there are other areas of ministry in which the church is expected to be engaged. It is not only our humane responsibility but also our Christian duty to help those who need a “hand up” or simply a helping hand. In the recent times of disaster our Methodist churches have responded with love, compassion, and hours of physical work to help our neighbors rebuild. But what about those disasters that we don’t see or we won’t see? What about the child that goes to bed, here in the United States of America, hungry most nights? What about the families that can’t afford to buy that pair of shoes for their children to attend school? What about the school supplies that these children do not have? I could go on and on with these “What abouts”, but I feel you get the point. Jesus, when he was just a mere lad of twelve, told his mother that “he must be about his father’s business”. We, the church, must become a mission station to our community and thereby also doing “our father’s business”. Are you ready to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”? If you have a heart for missions, get involved in our church mission ministry.
If you ever need help or prayer please call Brother Fred at 334 782-3210. If you would like to schedule a meeting with him call this same number. We don’t want to miss your visit. Know that our pastor is available 24/7 for any emergencies at that same number. His email address is jgrady2108@charter.net.
Grady’s Gravelling’s … “We’re just proud to be here”!
Here’s a word from our Bishop on the 10th Anniversary of the 9/11 terror attack:
It is my prayer as Bishop of our Alabama-West Florida Conference that God will provide for the constant growth of our conference in faith, hope and love. I ask you to pray for the leaders of nations and our own civil authorities that they will use their influence and power to promote the freedom and dignity of all people. Let us be intentional in our observation on the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, to pray for all those who died, for the consolation of their families and friends, and for an end to terrorism. Let us not be he “hearers” of the Word, but “doers” of the Word as we pray for our enemies and the grace to forgive our neighbor. Finally, may we pray for the needy and disadvantaged, that our Lord will be generous in aiding and comforting the unfortunate. May the impact of 9/11 allow us to demonstrate how God’s grace has had a profound impact on changing us into his image in order for us, the baptized in Christ, to act in ways which truly transform our world.
We pray today that God’s Kingdom will come upon this earth just as it is in heaven; and we pray that we may act today just as if we were in heaven.
Paul Leeland
Bishop of the Alabama-West Florida Conference
The United Methodist Church
If you ever need help or prayer please call Brother Fred at 334 782-3210. If you would like to schedule a meeting with him call this same number. We don’t want to miss your visit. Know that our pastor is available 24/7 for any emergencies at that same number. His email address is jgrady2108@charter.net.
Grady’s Gravelling’s … “We’re just proud to be here”!
This week was the anniversary of the beheading of John the Baptizer. In the year 28 AD, Kind Herod Antipas was seduced by the dance of a young woman. It was because of his poor judgment that he gave away his right to rule his kingdom. This woman, who tradition named Salome, asked the King for the head of John the Baptizer on a platter. King Herod gave away his right to rule. Do you ever use bad judgment? Have you ever given away your right to choose between right and wrong? Who hasn’t done this road at some point in their life and most of us have paid the consequences for our poor judgment. That’s the reason we all need to be careful in our speech, mindful in our decision, and prayerful in everything. Sometime we “give away the farm” and don’t even realize it until it is gone from our grasp. God wants us to seek his guidance and include him in what we say or do. Before you commit to anything, do you pray about it. Or before you make promises do you make sure God is in agreement with your commitment? Spur of the moment decisions and reactive words are risky. If you want to better outcomes, let God give you his wise counsel. There are a number of reasons that we should first seek God’s kingdom. Seeking God’s affirmation of what we say or do can help us avert much heartache suffering and especially, those bad decisions where someone could end up losing their head.
If you ever need me, please call me at 334 782-3210. If you would like to schedule a meeting with me call this same number. I don’t want to miss your visit. Know that I’m available 24/7 for any emergencies again at the same number. jgrady2108@charter.net
Grady’s Gravellings … “We’re just proud to be here”!
What an excitement there is in the air. Today we will begin looking to God for a vision of what he wants us to do as a church. We also will be searching for His will for each of us as we discern our Spiritual gifts and talents. Where will we serve? What will He have us do in His Kingdom? It so very exciting to anticipate and dream of what He has in store for Maplesville United Methodist Church. Where will we be five years or even ten years down the road. How many professions of faith we will have experienced? How many new members will have joined our fellowship? How many people will we have helped with food, clothing, and other life sustaining ministries? Who of us will have taken part in a mission venture? How many new leaders, teachers, and preachers will we have birthed. These and other questions are constantly being bounced around in my mind.
Yes there is an excitement at Maplesville United Methodist Church. It’s because we know that our God is capable of doing great and mighty works in our presence and we believe He has already started. Each week when we come to church, do you come with an anticipation of what God is going to do? Are you ready for an outpouring of His Holy Spirit in this place? Are you ready to be a part of His plan to share His light with the world? Are you ready to risk it all for the cause of Christ? Are you ready to go on to perfection? This hymn says it all for me, “All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give, I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live”. I can’t wait to see what my God is going to do!!!
If you ever need me, please call me at 334 782-3210. If you would like to schedule a meeting with me call this same number. I don’t want to miss your visit. Know that I’m available 24/7 for any emergencies again at the same number. jgrady2108@charter.net
Grady’s Gravellings … “We’re just proud to be here”!
Are you ready for some Football? It’s that time of the year again where so many of us worship on the sidelines of football fields or sitting in our favorite coaching chair from Thursday through Monday night. It’s a national phenomenon, but I think it is almost a religion in the South. Teams are busy practicing their skills and honing their game plans. While bands and cheerleaders are making sure their routines and shows are crafted to perfection. For these (us) folks the next five months, they (we) will eat, sleep, walk and talk the sport of football. I must plead guilty to being one of those crazy football fans. Yes, I bleed Crimson and White and admit that I feel Alabama is the best team in the world … ever!
But my thoughts turn from the excitement of a crowd watching their favorite team to wondering what this world would be like if we were this wildly interested in the things of Christ and His church. Would we wait with baited breath each Sunday Morning to come see what God is going to do in his services? Would we anticipate the power of His Holy Spirit and eagerly await His manifestation in our midst? What would it be like to hear people claim their allegiance to Jesus and share with folks how they to could get to know him and be a fan of His too. What would it be like if some of the excitement of the stadium would be seen in our worship services? What if the frowns and scowls of the folks sitting in our pews would turn into cheers and praises as we witness God’s power revealed? This makes me think of the hymn “O for a thousand tongues to sing my great redeemer’s praise” and wonder what it would be like to come together to praise God for all the wonderful things He is doing in our world.
If you ever need me, please call me at 334 782-3210. If you would like to schedule a meeting with me call this same number. I don’t want to miss your visit. Know that I’m available 24/7 for any emergencies again at the same number. jgrady2108@charter.net
Grady’s Gravellings … “We’re just proud to be here”!
Life is full of challenges! Do I hear an amen to that? Each day we are confronted with what can be viewed as “opportunities”. They appear in many forms and shapes. They can be physical or emotional. They can be about money, relationships, job or any number of other subjects. Many can be addressed immediately while others take some time to resolve. It is how we respond to these opportunities that counts in our lives. Some folks are “ostrich people”. They bury their heads in the sand and hope that their problems will just “go away”. Others are “John Wayne” people. They say, I’m going to handle this all by myself. I’m big and I’m bad! But what God wants us to be are the “Daniel people”. Remember the story of how Daniel, when confronted with trouble, responded to his difficulty in a way we all should notice. What did he do? He asked God to intervene. Daniel prayed! He prayed morning, noon and night. This new year, when problems arise, and they will, use the Daniel Principle to not only confront, but also to conquer your problems. Let God be your comfort in the time of trouble. Let God solve those “opportunities” in your life. Dixie has had a favorite phrase that she lives by. It goes back to even before all of her medical problems and accidents. It’s very simple to remember. Dixie believes they we should all just simply, “Let Go and let God”. This morning and in the future mornings just let go of all of your problems and let God do what he does best. Let him have the opportunity to love you and provide for you. What about it. Ignore all of your problems? Try to face them all by yourself? Or simple give them to the one who can make everything “right”? I choose to let God have my problems. What about you?
God bless you as you walk daily with the Lord. Come back to see again, soon.
If you need me, please call me at 334 782-3210. If you would like to meet with me call this same number. I don’t want to miss your visit. Know that I’m available 24/7 for any emergencies at this same number. jgrady2108@charter.net
Grady’s Gravellings … “We’re just proud to be here”!
It’s another one of those “I can’t believe it” weeks. Can you believe school starts everywhere over the next two weeks? Where did summer vacation go? Well, teachers will begin those notorious lesson plans, I never liked those. Parents will be scrambling to get all those “things” that you have to buy for public school. I say that tongue and cheek. And the students, well, they are looking forward to seeing those friends they haven’t seen all summer, sharing their stories of summer adventure, getting ready for the first football game, and wondering what this year holds for them. Will I get Mrs. _____ or Mr. _____? Who gives the easiest tests? Who’s the best teacher? While some are just hoping to pass all their classes this year. Summer school was no fun!
You and I have a huge responsibility to the teachers, parents, students, and employees at our school. It’s the responsibility to pray for them each day and lift up Jesus to them. Join me in Prayer for the Holy Spirit to lead our administrators, teachers, and employees and by God’s grace working in their hearts.
If you need me, please call me at 334 782-3210. If you would like to meet with me call this same number. I don’t want to miss your visit. Know that I’m available 24/7 for any emergencies at this same number. jgrady2108@charter.net
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