MEMBERSHIP - MORE THAN A NAME ON A ROLL!
 
What does membership  in the United Methodist Church mean to you? I hope it is more than a name on a roll, for you see we have more than 200 names on our current membership rolls for which we have no address or phone number. Keeping a church roll up to date is a very difficult thing -  persons move, change church membership, or perhaps pass away and we somehow do not get the information.
 
We are including in this week's "Glad Tidings" such a list. We are doing it in order to try to get current information for our membership rolls. Please do not be offended if you find a name or two who are your relatives or friends. That's why we are publishing this list - WE NEED YOUR HELP TO LOCATE THESE PERSONS. They may have moved within town or out of town. They may have joined another church. They may have died. If you have current information concerning these persons, we need to have it in the church office. Put a note in the offering plate on Sunday concerning these names, or phone us at 912-355-8527 or email us at gladtidings@iohumc.com
 
Now, back to the original question, "What does  membership in the United Methodist Church  mean to you?"  We have 2,832 members, 1004 family units. I am afraid that some of these are also names on a roll, even though we have addresses or phone numbers for them.  Membership in the church involves growing in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and sharing fellowship with others Christians. As members of the church we promise to "follow Jesus Christ through the Isle of Hope  United Methodist Church and uphold it with our prayers, our attendance, our gifts, our service, and our witness!" HOW ARE YOU DOING WITH THIS?
 
For those not now involved, a good place to start would be with your prayers and attendance. You can pray for the church and pray that by being here God would guide you into the places where you can "plug-in" and serve Him and those around you. We have Sunday School classes and other small study groups for all ages. We have two Morning Worship Services, and are about to add a third which will be a non-traditional style of worship which may better meet your needs. Youth and children's activities are many. You can find a place at Isle of Hope UMC! Call one of the pastors if we can assist you with this.
 
Once you find your place here, you will want to invite others to join you. God's love, which we find in Jesus Christ, grows even more in us when we share that love  with others.  "COME AND SEE - GO AND TELL!"
 
God calls us to faithful servants in His Kingdom!
 
                                                                                                                                                              Dick Reese