Author Archives: Dorsey Emmanuel

Season of the Saints – THANKSGIVING

From the white robes of Revelation 7 to the stories of Saints in Joshua, we arrive at THANKSGIVING of the Saints this Sunday.  In the last two weeks I have challenged some traditional views of what is important to our society versus what is important to joining the Great Cloud of Witnesses and it is interesting that although I saw some questioning looks during the service I haven’t had any challenges or questions.  Please know that talking back in worship is not a problem and questions and challenges after the service are actually encouraged.  We cannot be true disciples of Jesus Christ until we challenge the status quo and go as deep as we can into understanding the Word of God.

If you missed the message check us out on the website at Dorsey or the Facebook Live broadcast from Wesley Chapel!

I again challenge you to seek partnership with your employer, neighbor, friends and family as we prepare to serve over 20 families food for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  We will need folks to partner with us to help with Christmas gifts for Deep Run Elementary.  We are serving a teacher appreciation dinner at Deep Run on Tuesday evening during parent conferences and could use one or two crock pots of chili and or salad and drinks and even servers.  A.C.T.S. needs dinner or snacks for THIS Saturday at 5pm.   Hungry Baby could always use more diapers and wipes.  Our AOET sponsor child, Gloria in Uganda, always would like letters.  The United Methodist Board of Childcare would like you to fill your red stockings with lots of quarters and paper like checks and dollars.

Church, you are being called – not by me – but by the God who gave his Son so you could one day join the Communion of Saints in white robes , with stories and thanksgiving to be disciples and not just church members.  Last Sunday we read trust the Lord WHOLEHEARTEDLY.  Where are you in the wholehearted relationship with the Savior of the world?

CALENDAR

Saturday A.C.T.S. Meeting 5pm @ Dorsey

Sunday Worship – Wesley 20am, Dorsey 11am, Lorien 2pm

Monday – Thanksgiving Food Basket Preparation 6pm @ Dorsey

Tuesday – Teacher Appreciation Dinner @ Deep Run Elementary 5pm

Wednesday – Thanksgiving Eve Worship for he Rt. 1 Corridor UM Ministry 7pm @ Wesley

Thursday – THANKSGIVING – not for Turkey, football and family but for God sending His Son to be the Savior of the World

Sunday Nov. 26 Christ the King Worship (Last day in the church calendar) 10am @ Wesley, 11am @ Dorsey

Saturday Dec. 2 Hanging of the Greens @ Wesley Chapel 9am Coffee and breakfast snacks

SATURDAY Dec. 2 LIVE NATIVITY @ Glen Mar A.C.T.S. sponsored trip.  Looking for hot chocolate and snacks to follow at one of the churches

Sunday Dec. 3 FIRST Sunday in Advent – Worship 10am @ Wesley, 11am @ Dorsey, 2pm @ Lorien

PRAYERS

Betty N., Eleanor O., Chris, Rhian and baby, Jessica P.., Carol B., Donald M., Richard W., Richard M., ROCK and A.C.T.S., Harvest Home Food Ministry, Hungry Baby, our church members growing into Disciples of Jesus Christ to transform the world!

Make worship a priority… yes even over education, sports, music, fame and fortune!  After all – it is for eternity!

Rick

Is Prayer Action Enough?

In the last several weeks it seems like tragedy is the only news.  Before one tragedy can be reported on another has occurred and resources to help seem limited or extremely stretched – so we pray.  Yet The Bible says that prayer should come first and that without prayer how do we know God’s will for our lives in this season?   I also hear others say stop praying and do something which makes some of us feel inept especially if we are physically or financially unable to provide help.

Prayer is never worthless and is often our best choice especially to discern the will of God.  Prayer needs to be more common and a greater priority in our own lives as well as the life of our church, neighborhood and country.  I just read a Facebook post by a friend who quoted Pastor Jim Cymbala, a 19th century evangelist, who said:

“You can tell how popular a church is by the attendance on Sunday morning.  You tell how popular the preacher is by attendance on Sunday night.  You can tell how popular Jesus is by attendance at the weekly prayer meeting.”

I found this to be a pretty inditing commentary especially since it was written in the 19th century.

So, where is your prayer life – is it morning, evening or mid week?  Do you have regular conversations with the Lord?  Do you believe that prayer is priority and that it changes things and or you?

Every time Jesus experienced a threat in his ministry and every time he needed to make a big decision he would go to pray, sometimes alone, sometimes with others.  Jesus is not only the Savior of the world but his life was an example for how we are to live our lives.

Let us pray for Las Vegas, Mexico City, Florida, Texas, The Islands including Puerto Rico.  Let’s pray for victims and perpetrators,  single, married, separated, divorced, young, old, middle aged.  I could go on listing, but hopefully you get the message – PRAY for all and seek Jesus as primary in your life, then make room for the Holy Spirit to begin transformation.

 

CALENDAR

Sunday Worship – 10am @ Wesley, 11am @ Dorsey, 2pm @ Lorien

Tuesday Nights – Life Bread 6:15 Dinner, 7 pm Groups

Saturday Oct. 21 ROCK Planning @ Conference Center 10am

Saturday Oct. 21 – UMW Pit Beef Sale Noon – 2 @ Dorsey

Sunday Oct. 21 – Pumpkin Decorating Festival 1-3pm @ Wesley

Sunday Oct 29 – Trunk or Treat @ Dorsey

Saturday Nov. 4 Annual Church Conference 11am @ First UMC Laurel

Saturday Nov. 4 Mission Central Trip leave from Melville Chapel 7am

 

Together we can share Jesus and transform the world!

Rick

Church: What, Why, and How?

Ever think Church was a waste of time?

Do you think Church is a required event for salvation?

Maybe you are one of those folks who think Church is outdated since there are plenty of preachers on radio and TV.  Maybe you have no real idea why we have Church or why anyone should go to church?  How about this – does denomination matter? What does the Bible say about church and the behavior of the Church?

Beginning this Sunday we will spend the next three weeks talking about the ‘What, Why and How’ of Church, according to the Bible, and I think you might be surprised.  Worst yet, if we used that measure for Church found in the Bible, we might be very disappointed at our Church evaluation score.

Join Us every Sunday as we challenge our Church to be more like the true Church described in the Bible as we grow our parish in ministry and members.

A.C.T.S. and Kairos Prison Ministry Team will be using the Church this Saturday so you will see a lot of cars in and out.  WE are fortunate to have a Kairos team at Dorsey and to see our Amazing Christian Teens in Service.

A.C.T.S. will meet at 2pm to go to two different locations to do mission work.  We will return at 5pm for dinner provided by Donna Benzing along with a guest speaker who will share his testimony of growing up in a less than perfect situation – from soldier and war, to a severe car accident and now cancer – all while living a life trusting Jesus.  He is also a youth leader at Celebration Church in Columbia for their group called W.I.N.D.  Don’t miss our meeting and dinner and bring a friend to hear Donovan share his testimony.

 

Calendar

Kairos @ Dorsey Thursday – Saturday

A.C.T.S. Saturday 2-6:30

Sunday Worship – Wesley 10am, Dorsey 11am, Lorien 2pm

Wednesday – Howard County AGAST 7pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center

 

SPECIAL NEEDS ASAP

Wesley Chapel needs money and or school supply donations right away for two back packs at Jessup Elementary

Dorsey Emmanuel needs prayer boxes filled for teachers at Ducketts Lane Elementary

Pastor has a homeless situation that he often needs food and money for a room.

 

PRAYERS

Bob J., Naomi, Dan S., Charles O., Clifton, Jessica, Bill W., Wendy M., Ann M., A.C.T.S., Children’s Ministry, Hungry Baby Mission, our partner schools

 

Make church happen in your neighborhood!

Rick

One light

“Tell me how it is that in this room there are three candles and but one light, and I will explain to you the mode of the divine existence.”

– John Wesley

At any price…

“I want to know one thing, the way to heaven; how to land safe on that happy shore. God Himself has condescended to teach the way; for this end He came from heaven. He hath written it down in a book. Give me that book! At any price – give me the Book of God!”

John Wesley

Summer Fun and Outreach

It’s been fun to see pictures of our members and friends on vacation posted on Facebook, but wouldn’t it be interesting if we either brought pictures to Church for a bulletin board or have you share them on the Church Facebook pages.  Your family vacation could be shared by sending pictures to Verna or Rick and we can add them to our Facebook page.

As for the Outreach and Mission pictures at present only A.C.T.S. has those pictures.  What can we do about it?  Send us your picture when you participate in mission or when you share the story of our parish with someone else not already attending our churches.

In addition you could help us plan an OUTREACH Activity like free bottles of water at the local sports park, conduct a prayer walk in your neighborhood, have your neighbors to an ice tea, iced coffee or hot coffee or movie night  get together. Your imagination is the only limit and you can always Team Up with another family.  Remember we have a great fire pit in the Prayer Garden at Dorsey.

A.C.T.S. Calendar

  • August 5 Boating Morning @ Centennial Park – Meet at Dorsey 10am
  • August 19 Mission Day and Dinner Meeting – Meet at Dorsey 2pm

Check out our new Facebook Page!

 

Calendar

  • Sunday July 23
    •    Worship @ Wesley 10am
    •    Worship @ Dorsey 11am
    •    Worship @ Lorien Elkridge 2pm
  • Monday July 24- July 28 Pastor at Seminary
  • Wednesday July 26 Howard County AGAST Meeting 7pm
  • Monday Aug. 7 – Friday Aug 11 VBS @ Dorsey 6-8:30 pm

Prayers

VBS, Children’s Ministry Team, Wesley Chapel Leadership Team, A.C.T.S., Naomi, Margaret B., Justin O., Cheryl S. family, Lois F., Frank and Arlene, Roy and Betty, Charles and Eleanor, Tammie and family

 

  • How are you living out your faith?
  • Invited anyone to church?
  • Invited anyone to VBS?
  • Volunteered to work with VBS?
  • Encouraged anyone to join A.C.T.S.?
  • Made a new relationship in your community?
  • Decided to join a house group?
  • Decided to lead a house group?
  • Volunteered for the church audit team, serve Holy Communion, lead worship, PREACH?
  • Thought about baptism or church membership?

 

Let’s work and worship together to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!

 

See you in church and church can happen ANYWHERE!

Rick
**Songs of Summer Sunday Sermon for July 23 – Great Are You Lord!**

Does your role define you? 

Sunday we challenged men, women, youth and children to be inspired by the Wonder Woman of Proverbs – so how is it going?  Sure, we made reference to the summer movie hit Wonder Woman but we were really concerned about becoming the Wonder Woman/Man/Person of God.  If you were not in church on Sunday checkout the online message connected with the Dorsey Facebook and website then start looking at your life through the lens of Proverbs 31.

What defines you?  Are you defined by your relationships or lack of relationships?  Parents – are you either intentionally or unintentionally encouraging your children to see their value through human relationships when really the only relationship that matters for you and your kids is the relationship you have with Jesus.

Does your role define you?  I am a mom, dad, husband, wife, computer geek, musician, athlete, etc.  Often the world tells us that all we are called to be is a parent or spouse and if that is true then what are we when the kids grow up and we are no longer someones spouse?  In reality the only role that is essential to our identity is the role of a child of God.

Are you defined by your reflection?  I need to dress like this because it is my identity.  Even our must rebellious kids choose to dress identical to their non-conforming group that unfortunately would reject them just like other groups as soon as they dress or act at all different.  Does your reflection tell you that you are not worthy of joy or success?  Does your reflection say that if you want to be in this culture you must act, dress, choose music and food to match or you don’t belong?  In reality, the only opinion that matters is God’s opinion and God thinks YOU are worth dying for!

Check out the five traits of a real Wonder Woman of God and remember that those traits are the traits that men should reflect in their lives and most of all teach to the young boys and men so they will seek those traits in their friends and relationships both male and female.

PRAYERS

Roy, Betty and family, Charles and Eleanor, Almeda D., Naomi J., Leon P., Leon E., Cheryl Smith’s family, Doris, Al and family, all of the names on our church prayer lists, Our Hungry Baby Mission, Our VBS Team, Margaret B.  Pray daily for our community and government leaders.  Pray to be a Proverbs 31 influence on others.

 

Sunday Message – O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing!

How are you living out your faith?

Invited anyone to church?

Invited anyone to VBS?

Volunteered to work with VBS?

Encouraged anyone to join A.C.T.S.?

Made a new relationship in your community?

Decided to join a house group?

Decided to lead a house group?

Volunteered for the church audit team, serve Holy Communion, lead worship, PREACH?

 

Let’s work and worship together to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!

 

See you in church and church can happen ANYWHERE!

Rick

Transition and Transformation

This Sunday many of our neighboring United Methodist Churches will be welcoming new pastors for the first time as the season for new appointments begins.  I can remember my first July appointment in 2010 when I was appointed to Dorsey Emmanuel because my actual first appointment began in November as the pastor of Wesley Chapel retired on medical leave.  It was my first Sunday preaching two services and beginning a season in my life when I would no longer return to the public school system in August.  I believe we have grown together and advanced the church of Jesus Christ together – yet the Church is never without its challenges.

The Church is a collection of people believing in Jesus as their Savior and those seeking to know more about who Jesus is and what it means for their life when they accept Jesus as their Lord and become baptized.

In fact I have always said the Church should be a hospital for sinners and not a resort for saints and if that is true the Church is going to have some imperfections, personalities and behaviors that need some healing and growing.  That means that each of us have to show grace and receive grace.  In other words we have to accept some imperfections in others and we have to acknowledge that we too have imperfections and realize that our behaviors are being received and tolerated by the grace given us.

Now don’t get me wrong – that doesn’t mean that we get to continue in all of our bad habits just because someone is supposed to be giving us grace.  We should be working daily by studying the Scriptures, seeking a spiritual mentor and talking to God daily in prayer to assist us in giving grace to others but even more importantly transforming us from the old self centered us into a true disciple of Jesus Christ who asks “What Would Jesus Do?”

If we are to be the church of Jesus Christ for the world and thereby making disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world we must first allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from “this is just the way I am” to “this is who Jesus made me”!

 

PRAYERS

Roy and Betty, Almeda, Charles and Eleanor, Clif and Jess, Leon P., Frank and Arlene, Eileen and family, Amie, Nathan and Abby, VBS, Mission and Outreach opportunities, our local and world leaders

 

“Christ Centered, Growing Relationships, Serving in Mission!”

Rick