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The Ultimate Life Wish
Most of the time, race car drivers emerge from pileups without a scratch. But not always. When Dale Earnhardt, one of NASCAR’s icons, spun out on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 and went hard into the wall, fans figured “The Intimidator” would unbuckle the window webbing and crawl out like always. He didn’t. Earnhardt was killed instantly in the crash.
Surprisingly, following that crash, NASCAR’s popularity skyrocketed. New drivers came on board and even more fans gathered anticipating new thrills.
Some would say that this is all pretty macabre. . . the somewhat less bloody equivalent to the Roman arena, but the point here is not to rant against NASCAR. Rather, it’s to underscore our fascination with death and how the possibility of death motivates us in different ways. While we might think some people have a “death wish,” the possibility of death can also cause us to face life and live it more fully.
The apostle Paul was not a thrill-seeker by choice. And yet, he didn’t shy away from his many “near-death” experiences, either. His theology of death focused on the long view — a coming day when everyone, from race fans to righteous disciples, will be able to say, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55). In that context, Paul was “confident” that, in the end, death will not be part of the picture. In the meantime, there are hardships to be endured. “In the body” was Paul’s way of talking about the trials of the present life, while being “with the Lord” was a way of talking about the life to come (5:6-8). What we do “in the body” matters, because we will be judged by the Lord for what we have done. But faithfulness will transform the body of death into the body of life.
Narrow death-escapes will continue to fascinate us, but Jesus makes it possible for us to cheat death forever. . . and not by narrowly escaping it. Jesus went through death in a public spectacle that makes racing and other sports look lame by comparison. But the good news is that He came out the other side to a new life —and so can we.
There will always be thrill-seekers pushing the envelope with fans cheering them on and vicariously looking death in the face. But only Jesus looked death in the face and beat it. So, if you and I want to cheat death in the end, let’s be more than His fans. Let’s be His followers. This is the ultimate life-wish!
See you in church Sunday.
Rev. Jenny
New Photo Album - Merpy Christmas
A photo album and slideshow of the recent CenterStage for Christ Play, Merpy Christmas are available in the Events & Photo Albums section of our site! Enjoy!
New Photo Album - 2009 Flamingo Flockings
A photo album and slideshow of all of last year's Flamingo Flockings are available in the Events & Photo Albums section of our site! Enjoy!
Our Deepest Sympathy:
to Kathy Adams and family in the death of Kathy’s mother, Kay Adams.
Pray for Patients
Beverly Birdsong and Barbara St. John are in Perry Hospital.
Lost Books! Please Help Find Them!
- Loving Thoughts
- Harvest of Gold
- Different Children,
Different Needs
- Beautiful Parties
- Arranging Flowers
- The Hidden Value of a Man
Altar Flowers Calendar
Would you like to choose a Sunday to place flowers in the church? Give Martha Johnson a call at 987-1941 and let her put your name on the Altar Flower Calendar. Available dates are Feb. 21,28; Mar. 28; April 4, 25; June 27; Aug. 22,29; Oct. 31; Dec. 28.
Unwillingly Absent?
If you are unwillingly absent, or if you have a loved one who is unwillingly absent, you are invited to receive the Lord’s Supper at home on Communion Sundays. To make plans to do so, please call Rev. Roland Fall at the church office (987-1852) and he will make all of the arrangements.
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Learn all about Our Church Website at the Wed. Night Program
Lynne Phelps, our Perry UMC webmaster, will present a program on our new website. If you know anyone without a computer who is curious about the site, encourage them to come to this program. Computer savvy members may be surprised to find out how much the site has grown. Join us for this tour of PerryUMC.org!
Wednesday Night Supper/Program/Children's Bible Study/ Youth Bible Study
Join us for a meal at 5:15 ($6.50 adults, $3.25 children). Following the meal at 6 p.m. each week, 3rd through 5th grade children join Miss Krissy for a fun-filled Bible study; youths can participate in the Crazy Love Bible study from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Youth Center, while the adults enjoy a program at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Childcare is provided.
Flamingos Everywhere? You've Been Flocked!! PUMC Relay for Life Fundraiser
From now until May 3rd, you can inflict a flock of pink plastic flamingos on the yard of your choice! This is Perry UMC Relay for Life's main fundraising activity, so please think about sending the flock to a yard near you.! Take a look at the slideshow of past flamingo flockings. Forms for flocking (or flocking protection insurance) are available on our relay page or in the church office. If you want insurance, get it early, as we can't accept an insurance payment once we have accepted payment from someone else to flock you.... Have fun!
Youth News: Crazy Love Bible Study
Bible Study continues every Wednesday night from 6:00 - 7:30. If you are interested in joining the Bible study, contact Brant and he will arrange to get you a book, or you can purchase the audio version from iTunes and listen to the book on your iPod. Don’t miss out! There is plenty of room!
Holy Week - Daily Lunch and Inspiration Monday through Thursday
In what is now a Perry tradition, the Perry Ministerial Association offers a series of lunch hour programs. Each day at a different church you will enjoy a short service from noon to 12:30, and a lunch from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. They mix it up - the speaker and the churches don't match. It may be your only chance to see Rev. Roland giving the sermon in a Catholic church! All donations benefit the Perry Ministerial Association and the good works they do all year in our community. See the Calendar for locations and speakers.
Maundy Thursday Performance: The Living Last Supper April 1
On Maundy Thursday, April 1 at 7:00 pm, the Sanctuary Choir and CenterStage for Christ Drama Ministries will present The Living Last Supper. Have you noticed a few new beards growing among some men of the congregation? Chances are these men may be disciples in the upcoming Maundy Thursday dramatization, The Living Last Supper. <more>
Prime Time Travelers go to Exploration Antiquity Center
50 People Maximum -
Deadline to Register
is April 20. Prime Time is always having a good time! Mark your calendars for another road trip. This time we are going back in time to life was lived in Jesus' day on Tuesday, April 29th, when the Prime Time Travelers head to LaGrange, GA. More info on the Seniors page.
Extreme Youth Camp Earlybird Signup Special!
There are only 115 days until YouthCAMP 2010!!! The theme this year is Extreme; what does Extreme Christianity look like? We are headed back up to Indian Springs June 27 - July 3 for 6 days of Extreme YouthCAMP!!
This year we are offering an early bird special. If you sign up for YouthCAMP before April 25th, it will only cost you $125. If you wait until after that date, the full price will be $150.
Don’t wait, you know you want to go! Sign up early and mark the date on your calendar. The days are counting down, it won’t be long until YouthCAMP 2010 comes! Don’t be left behind!
“Springtime By The Sea” at Epworth By The Sea
“When I in Awesome Wonder” - May 17 through 20
Visit the Okefenokee Swamp, Cruise Cumberland Island National Seashore, Tour Historic Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island Museum of History, Listen to “Peter, the Big Fisherman“ Learn about Georgia’s Sea Turtles. For more info got to www.epworthbythesea.org or call 912-638-8688.
Children & Youth Summer Dates:
Children’s Camp - June 06 - 10
Mission Trip - TBA June
Youth Camp - June 27 - July 03
Student Life at the Beach - July 12 - 16
VBS - July 19 - 23
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Welcome! Here you will find a growing community of faith, a place to encounter God in worship, encouragement, and a variety of programs for every age and stage in life. Here you will find a church that strives to meet the needs of seekers as well as believers, offering Christ in a credible and caring way in an environment of acceptance, love, forgiveness, and healing. Please let us know what we can do for you.
