Church

This week’s devotional

Pastor Harold George, Hampshire Charge UMC

Signs

This is an election year, as I am sure you know. I am already so tired of political rhetoric. You see signs in yards and at every intersection. It does not matter where you drive — they are there. Just drive up Route 29 toward Paw Paw, or up Route 50 toward Augusta, and even out here in Levels. I am not making light of the election. We are blessed to live in this country and have the freedom to vote.

I was thinking about the commercials and signs and bumper stickers that are everywhere. People know whom we support by these political advertisements. Through a bumper sticker, we acknowledge who we are voting for, who we believe in. We also put other items on our vehicles that tell a lot about us. I have a fire rescue sticker and a chrome WV on my Trailblazer. I had a Redskins license plate on the front of my truck until I drove through a ford at the river that was much deeper than I thought! We wear hats and shirts that tell people what sports team we like. We have flags hanging from our house that celebrate the team we support.

What do we have that tells others that we our Christians? Jesus has done more for me than the Redskins ever could do (all right, no laughing from you Cowboy fans.) Why do we find it acceptable to be a walking and driving banner for the team we support or the politician we believe in but keep our faith in Christ low key? Walk in any store on game day and you see almost every one wearing the gold and blue of our Mountaineers. We see total strangers wearing a WVU shirt and strike up a conversation about the big game. When was the last time you approached a stranger and told them about the love of Jesus?

There is a song that goes, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” Do people know you are a Christian? We need to advertise for God as fervently as we do the Mountaineers! I once had a speaker ask, “If someone took you to court as a Christian, would there be enough evidence to prove it?” Jesus said in Luke 12:33 “No one when he has lit a lamp puts it in a secret place or under a basket but on a lamp stand that those who come may see it.”

Does the light of the Lord shine forth in you? The message of the cross is so much more important than any game we could ever watch. Ephesians 2:8 reads, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

Is that not a message we should be telling all we meet? God loves us and we have salvation as His gift!

Church Bulletin Board – Week of 5-16-12

A call to prayer in Hampshire County

The community is invited to gather with other Christians, pastors and intercessors to pray for revival in our county. Our churches, families and individuals are in need of a mighty move of God. This will only come by prevailing prayer, unified prayer, to be held Saturday, May 26, at Fox’s Hollow Baptist Church at 7 p.m. Traveling west of Romney 3 miles on Route 50, turn right onto Fox’s Hollow Road, bear right and go 1/10 mile. The church is located on the right.

The following are several upcoming Call to Prayer meetings in Hampshire and Mineral counties through May 17. They are: May 16 — 6:30 p.m., Keyser Assembly of God, Route 220 – Doug Small will be leading. May 17 — 11:30 a.m., Luncheon, location to be announced – Ron Auch will be leading; 7 p.m., First Baptist Church, Spring St., Keyser – James Pool prayer coordinator for One Cry, will be leading.

CCC announces upcoming activities

Christ Community Church is holding a support group for anyone struggling with addictions or habits. Whether it be alcohol, tobacco, drugs, prescription pills, pornography or even food, CCC would like to offer support to help in the struggle and hopefully overcome the addiction. This is not an AA meeting. This is simply an informal, confidential support group that will be there to give prayer support and encouragement to those who feel as if they are fighting a losing battle. The group is held every other Sunday at 6:30 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. Everyone is invited. For more info., call 304-496-8566 or 394-822-0442.

Christ Community Church, Augusta, will hold a senior luncheon on Friday, May 18 at 11:30 a.m. Come join in for a good meal and fellowship.

Pentecost Pingpong May 27

Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, School Street, Romney, will hold Pentecost Pingpong games from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, May 27. Everyone is welcome to play for trophies and bragging rights. Please call Joe 304-496-9358 to register by May 20.

Oak Grove continues spring revival

Oak Grove Church of the Brethren, Levels, will continue spring revival through Wednesday, May 16, at 7. Speakers will be pastor Robert Combs Sr. and pastor John and Cindy Thomas. Special music will be provided by the Oak Grove Gospel Choir, Livingstone Band, Cindy Thomas and Melody Howard. For more info., please contact pastor Combs, 304-496-8670.