Lebanon Memorial
United Methodist Church
24 Tate Street
Lebanon, VA 24266
Our Mission: “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
(276) 889-2721
Wil Cantrell, Pastor
_________
March 2015
I Believe
What are the most important beliefs in your life? What beliefs help you understand the meaning of life
and the purpose of your life? When everything else in life is changing, what can you count on to remain
constant?
As we approach Easter, I have been reflecting on the two most important beliefs that guide my life.
1: God Is Love
2: Jesus Died, Was Buried, and Rose Again
I Believe God Is Love! I believe love is the purpose behind creation. I believe learning to love is the
reason God gave us our earthly lives filled with joy and pain, laughter and tears, romance and rejection, fear
and adventure, love and loss.
I believe everything God has ever done from the beginning of creation to the end of time is motivated
by a love so great it cannot be fully contained by any creed, explained by any sermon, or understood totally by
even the sharpest mind. I believe God is constantly pursuing us, extending grace and mercy to us, challenging
us to trust Him enough to hand over our shallow idolatries and allow Him to transform our hearts and lives.
I Believe Jesus Died, Was Buried, and Rose Again! I believe Jesus really died on a cross on the
hillside outside of Jerusalem almost 2000 years ago. I believe he experienced all the suffering and fear that
any of us would experience if we were unjustly condemned, brutally tortured, and left to die in agony and
humiliation. I believe Jesus died for us at our worst, to redeem the very worst of us as well as the best of us. I
believe Jesus’ death offered the forgiveness of sins and redemption that everyone so desperately wants in their
soul and that is so hard for us to accept in our lives.
I believe it matters that Jesus was buried. When Jesus was buried, the hopes, dreams, and even the
faith of his disciples were buried with him. They could not see or understand how God could possibly turn
this unspeakable tragedy into the greatest miracle and the hinge of history. I believe there are times in the life
of most sincere Christ followers when we too cannot see how God can use the chaos and hurt in our lives for
anything good. Sometimes it even becomes hard to believe that a good God can exist at all when pain
overwhelms us and confusion encompasses us. At such times, there is no better news we can hear than Jesus
was buried. Just because God’s loving presence can seem to be buried beneath the rubble of life does not
mean God is not lovingly and powerfully present with us!
I believe Jesus rose again. I believe Jesus was literally, physically resurrected from the dead. I have
studied the historical evidence on both sides of this issue and I believe the evidence points to the resurrection
(though some would surely disagree with me.). I believe that Jesus’ resurrection is also confirmed in the
hearts of his followers who receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (which cannot be debated, only
experienced). I believe Jesus takes away what is dead in our hearts and breathes His life back into us so that
we can love as He has loved us. I believe the resurrection proves that no miracle is too great for God, no
situation is too hopeless, and no sinner is too corrupt to be redeemed and to receive the gift of eternal life.
This I believe. What do you believe?
Grace and Peace, Pastor Wil
Special Sunday preaching! Come out on Sunday, March 15th, as Wil’s father, Bob Cantrell,
will be giving the message.
Discovery Destiny- Lenten Sermon Series
Have you ever wondered if you have a destiny? Is there a unique reason you were placed on
earth right here right now? Join us throughout the season of Lent leading up to Easter, as
Pastor Wil explores the God's desired destiny for you, for the church, and for the world.
 Feb 22 - Discovering Your Destiny
 March 1 - The Destiny of God's People
 March 8 - The Destiny of the Father: Creating Love
 March 15 - The Destiny of the Son (Part 1): Incarnation
 March 22 - The Destiny of the Son (Part 2): Redemption
 March 29 - The Destiny of the Spirit: Advocate
Daylight Saving Time Begins! Sunday, March 8th. Do not forget to set your clocks UP one
hour before going to bed on Saturday.
UMW Day Circle meeting on Tuesday, March 10th, at 11:00 am in the Fellowship Hall.
Guest speaker will be Tom Hunter who will be giving a presentation on the birds of
Southwest Virginia. Everyone is invited.
Holston Home 5th Sunday offering – March 29th. Please give generously.
Men’s Breakfast – March 14th and 28th , at 8:00 am
The April newsletter will be sent out on Friday, March 27th. If you have an article to go in
newsletter, please get it to church office by noon on Thursday, March 26th.
Kids Easter Egg Hunt – Sunday, March 29th – 3:00 – 4:00 pm at the home of Robert, Mary
Lou and Ryan Hutton. In case of bad weather, you will meet at the church. Easter Egg hunt
starts promptly at 3 pm! Candy and gifts are needed to put in plastic eggs or monetary gift
to purchase items. If you would like to donate, please bring by the church by Friday, March
27th. We have plenty of plastic eggs.
Easter Lily: If you will be bringing a lily to go on the altar for Easter, please have it at the
church by Friday, April 3rd. If you would like to have the Lily put in memory or honor of
someone, please get information to church office by noon on Thursday, April 2 nd.
Mar
27th
Sundays
4:00-7:00
Every
Thursday
Evening
Bonfire and Capture the Flag – Join us at Sarah’s house for an evening of weenie
roasting and capture the flag. Form your teams now and come dressed in your black clothing
(no night vision goggles please). 7:00-11:00 pm Let me know if you need a ride over.
Bring a folding chair or blanket.
Sunday Youth Meetings: we meet each Sunday evening. The ministry house will
be open from 4:00-7:00pm for fellowship time. Our core meeting time is 4:30-5:30 with
dinner afterwards. Hope to see you there and bring a friend.
Recovery Teens is still meeting on Thursday evenings. Invite a friend who might need
special people in their lives.
Thank you teens for making the Secret Valentine event special in the lives of our kids.
Thanks Mary Lou for helping out with the food! The Valentine Reveal party was a great
success!
Sunday School: There will be NO teen Sunday school until further notice. Please use that time to
volunteer as teen leaders for children’s church. There are ample opportunities during the week to learn and
serve.
Small Groups for Teens: For a couple of years, the Easton’s have been hosting a small group for several
teens. There is opportunity for a second small group. If you are interested, please see Sarah or text her.
Coming up April 25th: Day of Service…. Do you have a push mower or riding mower, do you
have hedge trimmers or clippers, do you have a rake, do you have two hands? Then we need you! We want
to be good Samaritans and just show up at folk’s homes offering to do some Spring yard work. We’ll do a
celebration activity afterwards.
Kid’s Pre-K to 5th Grade
Mar 17th --
Leprechaun Day
wear your green, eat green,
drink green and games galore
Bring a friend and get a special gift!
FaithWeaver Friends (Grades 2nd-6th) –
Starting Wednesday September 10th. Please register
by the 8th.
Children’s Church
During the 11:00 worship hour
(Come to the Sanctuary with your family the first part of the
service, then we’ll head to the ministry house)
Pre-K thru 3rd Grade
Thanks to all our teens who are volunteering for Children’s church and for FW Friends. We
couldn’t do it without you.
Sunday School for all ages of kids will meet in the Ministry House at 10:00 am. Stephanie
Owens teaches Pre-K thru 1st grade and Amanda Stanley is teaching 2nd-5th grade classes.
Bring a friend! We have awesome things planned for the next 6 weeks!
Get your Annual Children’s Ministry Calendar to hang on your fridge! See Sarah if you
need one.
A Big “THANK YOU” to Evan Adams for designing the outdoor sign that is
now up at our Children’s & Youth Ministry House! Ride by and check it out
this week!!
Women’s Bible Study: Stronger: Finding Hope in Fragile Places by Angela Thomas ( 7
week Bible Study) - Through biblical teaching and practical daily application, Stronger will
help you realize you do not have to live in weakness. God is stronger than every struggle you
will ever face. Because of Jesus Christ, your life has been hidden in Him, made alive in Him,
filled in Him, brought near to God in Him, and blessed with every spiritual blessing in Him.
Jamie Rexrode will be leading the class which will start on Monday, March 16th, at 6 pm. If
you would be interested in taking the class, please let Jamie or the church office know as soon
as possible.
Mark your Calendar! VBS – July 6th – 10th
This year’s theme: EVEREST – Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power! Kids
will embark on an “icy” mountain adventure – right in the church! They will become anchored
in rock-solid Bible truths-ready to face life’s challenges. They will learn to overcome obstacles
with God’s awesome power.
Jubilation XV – April 19 – 21, 2015
MainStay Suites, Pigeon Forge, TN
A retreat for older adults (50+) who desire to explore and enhance their relationship with
Christ.
Theme: Our Story – “Remember the days of long ago! Ask your father and the aged men;
they will tell you all about it.” Deuteronomy 32:7
Each of us has a story filled with a series of life experiences, some good and some difficult.
But it is our story, and those stories have contributed to who we are today. How we connect
our stories with God’s story will be the legacy we leave.
Guest speakers will be, Bill Landry, Beth Green, Charles Maynard, Bill Carter, Maggie
Cooper and Larry Marion. Brochures located on tables throughout the church. Deadline is
March 16th.
WORKERS FOR MARCH
GREETERS: Steve and Anita Givens
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
NURSERY
1 – Sarah G. Blevins
8 – Debbie Warwick
15 – Kaitlin Dodi-Monk
22 – Jennifer Bundy
29 – Ellen Brown
Recovery at Lebanon
Thursday nights
6:00 pm – Free Dinner
7:00 pm – Worship Service
8:15 pm – Small group meetings
9:15 pm – Fellowship in lobby
(Childcare lovingly provided)
Daylight Saving
Time Begins on
Sunday, March
8th! Do not
forget to set your
clocks UP one
hour before
going to bed on
Saturday, March
7th.
Happy Anniversary
Howard and Thelma Ferguson
Doug and Melba Howard
James and Frances Gregory
Bob and Jean Montgomery
Jason and Kaitlin Monk
Brent and Annette Lockhart
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Kelsey Sykes
Ann O’Bryan
Judy Fogleman
June Griffith
June Johnston
Ira Quillen
Nathan McGlothlin
Reggie Childers
John Griffith
Jarrod Steffey
Scarlett Huff
Joni White
Kathy Hincher
Brenda McFarlane
Ben Gilmer, III
Joseph Gillespie, III
Lila Honaker
Avie Gilmer
Norman Rexrode
Diddy Johnson
Adam Breeding
David Jenks
Rebecca Sykes
Julie Leonard
Shirley Griffith
Janet Owens
Roger Owens
Ellen W. Gilmer
Sean McGlothlin
Wil Cantrell
Bob Montgomery
Ben Ames
Alicia Young
Laverne Hunter
Carolyn Fox
Melon Wentz
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On WLRV Radio 1380 AM
Sunday, March 1st , & 15th, at 11am
Lebanon Memorial
UMC 2015
Sunday
1
Monday
2
MARCH
Tuesday
3
Wednesday
4
Thursday
5
Faith Weavers
3:15 – 5 pm
Ministry House
Friday
6
Saturday
7
Set clocks UP 1 hour
before going to bed
R@L
6 pm – 9 pm
Bible Study
6 pm
8
9
Daylight Saving
Time Begins
10
11
UMW
11:00 am
Guest speaker
Tom Hunter
Faith Weavers
3:15 – 5 pm
Ministry House
12
13
14
Men’s Breakfast
8:00 am
R@L
6 pm – 9 pm
Bible Study
6 pm
15
16
Bob Cantrell
preaching
Women’s Study
6 pm
Fellowship Hall
22
23
17
18
Children –
Leprechaun Day
Fun & games
6:30 – 8 pm
Ministry House
30
20
21
27
28
R@L
6 pm – 9 pm
Bible Study
6 pm
24
25
ChurchCouncil
Faith Weavers
3:15 – 5 pm
Ministry House
Women’s Study meeting 7 pm
6 pm
Fellowship Hall
29
19
Faith Weavers
3:15 – 5 pm
Ministry House
26
Bible Study
6 pm
R@L
6 pm – 9 pm
Youth – Bonfire
and Capture the
Flag – Sarah’s
home 7 – 11 pm
Men’s Breakfast
8:00 am
31
Easter Egg
Hunt – Hutton’s
Women’s Study
home 3 pm
6 pm
Fellowship Hall
Church email address:
info@lebanonmemorialumc.org
Web page: lebanonmemorialumc.org
Children’s/Youth Director’s email:
Sarah.adams@lebanonmemorialumc.org
Lebanon Memorial UMC
24 Tate Street
Lebanon, VA 24266
276-889-2721
Wil Cantrell’s email address
pastor@lebanonmemorialumc.org