Presence

The Bible has many stories about the powerful presence of God which is manifested to his people:  God appears in a burning bush to Moses; God calls the young boy Samuel in the middle of the night; God speaks to Elijah in a “still, small voice;” the dove representing the Spirit rests upon the person of Jesus at baptism; the Holy Spirit rests upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost.

But did you know, that the Bible also tells us that when “two or three are gathered in my (Jesus’) name,” God will be present with us.  In fact, it is clear that part of the reason that we are in fellowship is to experience the presence of the Lord God almighty.  It is clearly hard to be a “lone ranger” when it comes to worship, or bible study, or eating meals.  It is true that all of those behaviors can be done by oneself, but they are much more fulfilling when we do them with someone else.

The Bible tells us that this fellowship is koinonia—a fellowship in which we pray for one another, listen to preaching and teaching, share with one another biblical insights, bear one another’s burdens, encourage one another in tough times, and praise God together in the face of the “storms of life.”  We often stay away from the one thing which God gives to us to help us get through our daily problems---the very body of Christ.

On this commitment card, we would ask how you might support Garner United Methodist Church with your presence.  We need you and you need us.  The book of Ecclesiastes tells us that three strands of thread is always stronger than just one strand.  You and God are bound together by the Holy Spirit in an unbreakable bond.  Will you be a part of the fellowship of believers on a regular basis?  Will you come and intentionally invite someone else?

o    As there are 52 Sundays in the year 2011, assuming that I will have good health, I am making a commitment to be in worship  either here at Garner UMC or another church for _________  of those Sundays.
o    I will commit to be involved in the activities of the Church beyond worship, including
o    Youth meetings and trips
o    Children and family events
o    Wonderful Wednesday
o    Bible Studies
o    I will commit to be present on all committees and boards to which I have been asked to serve.