Divine Street United Methodist Church

Divine Street United Methodist Church
400 W. Divine Street
Dunn, NC 28335
Phone - (910) 892-2339

9:45am - Sunday School
11:00am Sunday Worship Service

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Faith In Action

INTRODUCTION

'FAITH IN ACTION' Guides Us to A Fuller Experience of the Lenten Season

      Often times, we think of the disciplines of Lent as a personal, private experience. We are called to be more intentional about our prayer life. We are challenged to fast; give up something so we can make more room for God in our life. We are encouraged to give alms; make a special offering to help those in need. These are all good disciplines for us to strengthen in our personal lives as believers in Christ.
      However, the practicing of the spiritual disciplines are not meant to be an end in themselves. They become the means though which we are guided toward a greater outward focus in our witness as followers of Jesus Christ.
      Our church-wide Lenten experience will include our participation in, what has become, a national community service campaign among Christians. Divine Street UMC will be participating in "Faith In Action" (FIA), a groundbreaking four-week ministry that invites Christians to mobilize and "Be the Church" by practicing their faith in a way that uniquely serves their immediate community, as well as those around the world.
      Members and friends of Divine Street UMC will work in one of three areas of service. For our local focus, we will clean and spruce up Tart Park. Another local project will take members to a local nursing home to visit and pray for residents and staff; offering communion to those who wish to receive it. We will continue our efforts to help the people of Haiti by collecting the items for and assembling Health Kits for distribution through the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR).
      It is our prayer that FIA will help us to continue our efforts to become a congregation that is motivated to reach out to others and grow into the image of our Lord, Jesus Christ. A church that puts its faith into action focuses not on itself, but living out Christ's teaching and his divine example of compassion, and offering better life in him.

THE KEY EXPERIENCE OF "FAITH IN ACTION"

      The component to the "Faith In Action" experience is to engage in the projects during our regular time for Sunday worship. In effect, we will not "go to worship", but we will "worship through" our actions of faith and witness. The concept for "Faith In Action Sunday" is that we "don't go to church", we will "be the church."

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

ATTEND WORSHIP, AND GET INVOLVED IN A SMALL GROUP STUDY

WORSHIP: Beginning the first Sunday of Lent, Feb. 21, the services and messages will be designed to help you reflect upon the ways God calls and directs you to people and situations where you can make a difference, and be a witness to his mercy and love through Jesus Christ.

SMALL GROUPS: Participation in small group study will lead you into deeper reflection as you are able to discuss with others how God is at work calling us all into action. Most groups for this experience are divided by age and gender. Leaders/facilitators have been recruited and trained. Contact John Alsey Johnson, 892-1357, to locate a group for you.

PERSONAL STUDY: If you are not able to participate in a small group, you are invited to use the reading material in the participant guide for personal devotion and reflection.

PARTICIPANT GUIDES $7.00 each The participant guides provide additional background and biblical readings, along with reflection and discussion questions. The guides are basically a Bible study from the Gospel of Luke.

FAITH IN ACTION AT-A-GLANCE

Week of February 14: Small groups begin meeting

Week of February 21: Worship/Sermon Series begins

Week of March 14: Worship/Sermon Series wraps up

Week of March 21: Faith In Action Sunday

                10:00 AM - Service of Praise and Prayer

                11:00 AM - Depart for Service Projects

                 5:00 PM - Celebration Dinner

                 6:30 PM - Celebration Worship Service

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