Trinity United Methodist Church in Disputanta, Virginia

Hallelujah moments: 1) the joy of hearing birds in the early morning, planting flower seeds and seeing daffodils and robins; 2) worship on Sunday with 60 present (with 12 youth and three adults at Blackstone); 3) answered prayer for progress for Julia Dillard (still at Chippenham Hosp.), Bill Brockwell (at home), Carolyn Pool (my aunt, Inova Fairfax Hosp.); 4) Confirmation Class with Ben Bonnell, Andrew Helmer, Abby Powers and Christopher Smith attending; and 5) full-time employment for Staci (Sandy and Tony Bailey’s daughter).

In our prayers for healing: Torrey Arey (Sandy Bailey’s nephew); Kevin Gaines (Clements student); Pattie Munford (Phyllis Brockwell’s cousin); Bea Walker and the Vaughn Family (Kim Scarbro’s friends).

For comfort: the family of Kirk Kortokrax (Annette Kortokrax’s husband Kevin’s brother) and the family of Jerry Tomko (Marvin Blick’s niece Shelly’s husband).

 New address for Lee and Christina Pope and family: 396 Decatur Dr., Summerville, SC 29483.

Wonder at and walk with Jesus on the mountain of his Easter-like Transfiguration this Sunday. Scripture is Mark 9:2-9.

Ash Wednesday Service Feb. 22 at 7 pm in the Sanctuary. Prepare to die, prepare to live.

The Prince George Lenten Lunches need a place to worship and eat on March 15. Reply to my email address below if you can help set up, serve, or clean up that day.

 A called meeting of all United Methodist Women to discuss this possibility is set for this coming Sunday after worship.

March 1 is the first Lenten Lunch, at Sycamore UMC, 12 noon. These are very meaningful for worship with sister and brother Christians and good food, every Thursday March 1-29. Waverly UMC hosts a service and lunch every Wednesday beginning Feb. 22.

Join me this Sunday evening for the Revelation to John. Meet in the Bible Class off the sanctuary, 6:30-7:45. Read Revelation 7.

Ushers in February: John Brockwell; Mike Pond; Matt McAllister and Larry Hayes.

Greeters: Wilda Rolley and Eva Bailey.

Altar Guild: Phyllis Warren.

Counters for February: Matt McAllister and Carol Moody.

Rollaway Club in February: Jeff Stotesberry.

 Nursery staff on February 19: 10 am, Lori O’Kennon; 11 am, Annie Holdsworth and Janet Reames.

Send news and prayer updates to robert.blinn@trinitydisputanta.org. See you on Sunday!

Hallelujah moments:  1) love for and from all family and friends as Valentine’s Day draws near; 2) worship on Sunday with 81 present and Holy Communion; 3) ten youth serving excellent soup, and for our good adult youth leaders; 4) Confirmation Class with Ben Bonnell, Emily Bowie, Andrew Helmer and Christopher Smith attending; 5) Lauren Stotesberry on the Dean’s List at Richard Bland College (Petersburg Progress-Index, 2-7-12).

In our prayers for healing:  Mucky King(home), Staci Warren, Julia Dillard (Chippenham Hospital) and two of Marvin Blick’s nephews-in-law.  For care and guidance, our youth and leaders as they travel west of Lynchburg for the Winter Youth Retreat at Eagle Eyrie.

New Address for Jaime Bailey:  8930 Hunting Creek Place, Chesterfield, VA  23237.

Learn how to selflessly love this Sunday, which is also a Boy Scout ideal.  Scripture lesson is Mark 1:40-45.  This Sunday is the 100^th anniversary of Boy Scouting in America.  I was a Scout from 1964-1974, and am an Eagle Scout, by the grace of God.

Join me this Sunday evening for the next lesson from the Revelation to John (we did not meet last week).  Meet in the Bible Class off the sanctuary, 6:30-7:45.  Read Revelation 6 for this week.

Ushers in February:  John Brockwell; Mike Pond; Matt McAllister and Larry Hayes.  Greeters:  Wilda Rolley and Eva Bailey.  Altar Guild:  Phyllis Warren.  Counters for February:  Matt McAllister and Carol Moody.  Rollaway Club in February:  Jeff Stotesberry.

Nursery staff on February 12:  10 am, Rita Powers; 11 am, Beverly Stotesberry and Sandy Bailey.

Send news and prayer updates to robert.blinn@trinitydisputanta.org.  See you on Sunday!

Hallelujah moments:  1) answered prayer for several including Michelle Spencer’s parents, George Stanford, Sonny Warren, Adam Partin, Sylvia and Walter Massey, Joyce Mueller, Margaret Arey, Fred Lascheck and Beverly Gordon; 2) Confirmation Class with 3 present and three planning to attend; 3) worship on Sunday with 93 present; 4) Bible Study at Brighter Living with Ruth Swineford and friends; and 5) health for our whole Haiti Mission Team there and back.

In our prayers for healing:  Maggie King, Howard Helmer, Sr.; and Jim Wickman (Wilda Rolley’s cousin).  For comfort, the Rawlings Family (Linda Brown’s friends), the family of James Basis (Jerry Moody’s friends) and Hanover County families.  For care and guidance in moving, Jaime Bailey.

It’s all about the Kingdom of God.  Jesus clears our path to live into it.  Scripture lesson for this Sunday is Mark 1:29-39.

“Souper Bowl” Sunday after worship this Sunday, with the Youth Group providing the soup for donations to their ministries.  Should be yummy!

All United Methodist Women (including me!) will gather after the soup lunch on Sunday for a program on Prayer and Self Denial, led by Jean Bishop.

Join me this Sunday evening for the next lesson from the Revelation to John.  Meet in the Bible Class off the sanctuary, 6:30-7:45.  Read Revelation 6 for this week.

Ushers in February:  John Brockwell; Mike Pond; Matt McAllister and Larry Hayes.  Greeters:  Wilda Rolley and Eva Bailey.  Counters for February:  Matt McAllister and Carol Draille.  Rollaway Club in February:  Jeff Stotesberry.

Nursery staff on January 29:  10 am, Janet Reames; 11 am, Cindy Young and Betsy Smith.

Send news and prayer updates to robert.blinn@trinitydisputanta.org.  See you on Sunday!

Hallelujah moments:  1) great “Baptism of the Lord” worship, with 84 present; 2) $2,230.20 in plate offerings and significant Memorial Fund gifts in memory of Richard “Dick” Albert and Holman P. Britt; 3) many prayers, calls and gifts in support of our mission trip to Haiti; and 4) our Youth Group, active in worship, study and service, including Will Bonnell and Caitlyn Elder, who preached at Dunlop House on Christmas Day.

In our prayers for healing:  Jenny Simmons (Jerry Moody’s cousin), Patricia Moody (Jerry’s sister-in-law); Rita Powers’ cousin; Bill Matthews (Josh Matthews’ father); Lorraine (Joe Simmons’ cousin); the Vaughn family (Kim Scarbro’s friends).

Celebrate the public ministry of Jesus the Messiah, Son of God and Son of Man, in worship this Sunday.  Read the Scripture lesson in John 1:43-51.  Celebrate Human Relations Day with a special offering for United Methodist ministries with former youth offenders and inner city ministries.  This offering is taken church-wide on the Sunday nearest Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, birthday, which is this Sunday.

Praise God for our choirs, now rehearsing:  Sundays at 6:30 for the Junior Choir, Thursdays at 7 for adults. 

I am excited about the study on Sunday evenings of The Revelation to John.  Meet in the Bible Class room in the sanctuary, 6:30-7:45.  Read Rev. 2-3 for this week.

The Church Council will meet on Monday, January 16, at 7 pm.  Everyone is welcome.

Mike Pond and I join eight others on Wednesday, January 18 on a trip to Haiti, where we will help build a school on La Gonave Island.  We will return January 25.  Rev. Connie Morris will fill in for me, and preach on Sunday, January 22. 

Ushers in January:  John Kines, Joe Simmons, Bill Young and Joe Smith.  Greeters:  Theresa and Jacqui Simmons.  Counters for January:  Phyllis Warren and Carol Moody.  Rollaway Club in January:  Jerry Moody.

Nursery staff on January 15:  10 am, Lori O’Kennon; 11 am, Rita Powers and Annie Holdsworth.

Send news and prayer updates to robert.blinn@trinitydisputanta.org.  See you on Sunday!

Hallelujah moments:  1) a new calendar year, with new resolution to respond to God’s amazing grace; 2) answered prayers for Dot Munford (friend of the Myrtle Rucks Circle); 3) letters from friends sharing love over the holidays; 4) all the helpers boxing up decorations this morning, under the leadership of Wilda Rolley; 5) a donated rocker in the Church Nursery; 6) the great turn-out (16) on a cold night at Ruby Leonard’s, kicking off 2012 for United Methodist Women; and 7) New Year’s Day worship with 83 present and Angel Tree offerings of $530 (a record!) for the Henry Fork Community Service Center.

Celebrate The Baptism of Our Lord (and your own!) in worship this Sunday.  Read the Scripture lesson in Mark 1:4-11.  Pray for water’s symbolic gifts:  spiritual cleansing and life, both abundant and everlasting.  Here’s a question to ponder:  does honesty change the things we desire?

In our prayers for healing:  Linda Willingham (Virginia Cogle’s niece); Joyce Mueller (Sandy Bailey’s aunt) and Margaret Arey (Sandy’s mother),  Sonny Warren and Else Beck (Phyllis Warren’s aunt).  For care and guidance, the Farm Bureau travellers going to Hawaii, including John and Ruby Leonard and Charlene and Bob Hauck’s daughter, Cathy, and son-in-law, Mark.

I’m eager to join up with the Choir in rehearsal tomorrow (Thursday, 7 pm).  Children’s Choir and Youth meetings resume this Sunday (January 8) at 6:30 pm.

There is an opening for the Haiti Mission Trip January 18-25.  The cost is $1,100, with limited church assistance available.  Contact me as soon as possible.  Call the James River District Office, (804-732-2538) for more information.

Our Trustees will meet after worship this Sunday to consider additional security measures for the church. 

On Monday, January 9, at 7 pm, the Staff-Parish Relations Team will meet.  Joe Smith is the new Chair.  One item of business is the annual request for next summer’s pastoral appointment.  I have already made my request for re-appointment!

Ushers in January:  John Kines, Joe Simmons, Bill Young and Joe Smith.  Greeters:  Theresa and Jacqui Simmons.  Rollaway Club in January:  Jerry Moody.

Nursery staff on January 8:  10 am, Rita Powers; 11 am, Janet Reames and Beverly Stotesberry.

Send news and prayer updates to robert.blinn@trinitydisputanta.org.  See you on Sunday!

Hallelujah moments:  1) each of these wonderful 12 Days of Christmas—today it’s the Five Golden Rings, celebrating God’s Word to Moses in the first five books of the Bible; 2) answered prayer for Joyce Mueller, Sandy Bailey’s aunt; 3) joyful times with Mary Beth’s family in NC, including our two, Christopher and Anna, and their spouses, and 21 others ranging in age from 1 to 85; 3) Sandy Bailey leading the Bible Study on Wednesday, and 5) the Lord’s presence on Christmas Day in worship, with 72 present and offerings of $5,565 for the General Fund, $1,598 for United Methodist Family Services and $50.00 for Missions (right now for Mike Pond’s and my Haiti Mission January 18-25).

Welcome to Josh Culler, who joined our church by baptism and profession of faith on December 24.  Josh is Misti Binford Culler’s husband.  Misti also renewed her faith commitment.  They are the parents of Billy (4) and Anna (s).  They live at 17776 Loving Union Rd., Disputanta (991-2090).

In our prayers for healing:  Bob Hauck; Dot Munford (Mildred Rucks Circle friend); Bob Ealey (Walter Massey’s brother-in-law).

Celebrate New Year’s Day in worship this Sunday, celebrating the arrival of the Wise Men to worship the newborn King.  Read the scripture lesson, Matthew 2:1-12.  Pray for all those who attend, that they may see the Star and come to worship.

Ruby Leonard is hosting the Ann Holman Circle of United Methodist Women at her home on Tuesday, Jan. 3.  I’m looking forward to being there (18109 Loving Union Rd).

Help box up the Advent/Christmas decorations after Bible Study next Wednesday, at 11:00 am.  The more happy people we have the better for a sort-of-sad task.

Ushers this month:  John Kines, Joe Simmons, Bill Young and Joe Smith.  Rollaway Club in January:  Jerry Moody.

Send your news and prayer updates to robert.blinn@trinitydisputanta.org.  See you on Sunday!