Rev. Michael P. Stenson
371 Cherokee Rd.
Scottsboro, Al 35769
Dear Friends and Members of New Life UMC in Grant, Al. ,
It is time to say good bye for a little while on this side. I wanted to be certain to say thank you for the wonderful time we’ve spent as your Pastors. I thank you for helping to set our family free for Christian Ministry. Laboring among you has been a blessing and we will miss each of you for the unique and special creation you are through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul wrote to those he ministered to, that they were his letter, written in their hearts, to be read by all men. I pray that as God has helped me to minister His Word, that some of it may remain, that you are built up and strengthened for the journey.
Karen and I will look with fondness on this 6 years about all of you, we consider you brothers and sisters in Christ. We leave our blessing that we wrote together many years ago: May God grant you increase, may He grant you clear direction, and many victories. Amen
Things Remembered From Pastoral Activities
June 2015 until June 2021
New Members Received New Life UMC – Grant
Class of 2015
1. Bill Patalas (by transfer)
2. Beverly Patalas (by transfer)
3. Darrel Terry
4. Loretta Terry
Class of 2016
5. J ennifer Edwards
6. Monte Edwards
7. Don Daniel (by transfer)
8. Evelyn Daniel (by transfer)
9. Donna Aiken
10. Rick Aiken
11. Edith McDonald
12. Sandy Click (Cody and Cynthia grandchildren)
13. Beverly Dorsey
Transfers in
14. Chris Bailey and Wife Brandy transferred from Randalls Chapel (Kaleah, Dylan, Brooklyn, Caylum)
15. Wayne White and Wife Karen transferred from Randalls Chapel
16. Ron and Michelle Chapman (Eli son)
Class of 2017
17. Mark Lankford (Peyton)
18. Lisa Lankford
19. Meredith Campbell (Annalise)
20. Leslie Phillips
21. Tim Phillips
22. Randall Castleberry
23. Sommer Roberts (Liam and Devlin)
24. Shelly Cantrell (Emma)
Class of 2018
25. Stan Emmons (Tyler and Mason)
26. Apryl Emmons
27. Billy Lewis (Olivia and Sarah)
28. Jessica Lewis
29. Eric Cherry (Macie, May, Mia)
30. Kayla Cherry
31. Jim Austin
32. Pat Austin
33. Keith Hamby
34. Karen Hamby
Class of 2018
35. Katy Watz (Starla)
Chistenings (Infant Baptisms)
Annie Louise Carnes
Parker Mitchell
Glory Sightings
Church Mortgage was Paid off December 2020
New Sanctuary Carpet 2020
Property Sold 2021 (former parsonage site)
New DayCare Sign 2021
Weddings
Ben and Lauren Rollins
Charlie and Dana Sutphin
Chris and Brandy Bailey
Mario and Jessalyn Trujilio
Roland and Teresa Daugherty
Trevor and Emily Mitchell
Jason and Madison Carnes
Chris and Dana Straub
Carol and Ricky Ambrose
Funerals
Denise Acker
Brian Franks
Jack Wilke
Jackie Troup
Dan Robinson
Edith McDonald
Randy Simpson
Bryce Click
Julia Ayers
Charlie Ayers
Confirmation
Katherine Saylor
Kyle Saylor
Morgan Newton
Georgia Turn
Jesus told stories that illustrate some pretty heavy stuff. Here’s one of them.
The Weeds Among the Wheat – Matthew 13:24-30
Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’“‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’“‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
I. Weeds and Wheat Growing together currently.
With all the good that is done in the world by good people, there will always be bad people also.
II. This Growing together goes all the way to the end, the time of Harvest
Our inner struggle with the old nature, the flesh contending with the spirit of Christ will continue until the last day.
There is a glorious day, fixed in the mind of God only, when good will triumph over evil. It will be final the current state of good and evil coexisting will be ended forever.
Praise God we’re Living into Christ
Loving you with the love Christ gives – Pastor Mike
Psalm 84:6
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca (tears), they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
1. Restore strength and animation to : revive.
Psalm 85:6. Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?
1 Thessalonians 5:16-28 KJV
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
There is a connection between rejoicing and feeling revived. Make it so!
2 . Freshen up : renovate.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
COLOSSIANS 3:9-11
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Truth: Your old, sinful nature is dead.
We learn to grow in our new identity in Christ as we learn more about His character. Talk about a make over…..a renovation.
3. Restore by renewing supply : replenish
I Kings 17:15,16
15 So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and there was food every day for Elijah and the woman and her household. 16 The jar of flour was not exhausted and the jug of oil did not run dry, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through Elijah.
Conclusion:
Isaiah 40:31 NRSV
31 but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.
Loving You with the Love that Christ Gives!
Pastor Mike
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