Dear Members and Friends of the Dalton First United Methodist Church -

 

I give thanks to my God always as I remember you in my prayers.  I especially remember your "reach."  Living out Wesley's call to "Offer Them Christ", I see ministry after ministry finding unique and God-directed ways to live out that call.  You are reaching out to your communities - through worship, prayer, food, shelter, caring, loving.  I give thanks to God for the reach of the Dalton First United Methodist Church.

Augustine wrote, "Sin arises when things that are a minor good are pursued as though they were the most important goals in life. If money or affection or power are sought in disproportionate, obsessive ways, then sin occurs. And that sin is magnified when, for these lesser goals, we fail to pursue the highest good and the finest goals. So when we ask ourselves why, in a given situation, we committed a sin, the answer is usually one of two things. Either we wanted to obtain something we didn't have, or we feared losing something we had."

Precious Lord, help me to keep you first in my life.  Lord, through the power of your Holy Spirit, let me keep the minor things - even though they be good - minor.  Never let me lose sight of the highest good you desire for my life.  Let me not get caught up in the less important as if they were the only important.  Only through the power of your Spirit, Lord, may I continue to focus on that which you have set for me to concentrate.  Let me be yours - now and forever.  In Christ's name.  Amen.

Even as we celebrate the filling of our streams and lakes, we pray for those in our state who have suffered from the record rainfall of the last few days.  Especially be in prayer for those who have lost loved ones.

Keep our Peru mission team in your prayers as well. Remember to check the website (www.daltonfumc.com) to read email updates from the team.

Kathy and I are continuing to enjoy our Neighborhood Meetings. 

Don't forget the Doc-Up Concert this Saturday.  Paul Byrum and his team have put in countless hours during the past few weeks.  Come out to First Presbyterian church (*new location due to rain) and hear some great music and help the hurting at the same time.  For information, contact the church office.

The preliminary results of our Consecration Sunday are encouraging.  While I don't have the actual figures (but we will get them to you), I can say that we are a little above where we were at this time last year.  Thank you for your generous spirit and your willingness to invest in the ministry of Dalton First UMC.  If you have not estimated your giving for 2010, just let us know and we can get a card to you.  Thanks to all of you who have already responded and the dozens who will yet respond.  God bless you.

Also, thank you to those of you who responded to our Hands on Ministry Campaign volunteering  your time and talents to serve Christ through the ministry of our church. 

God bless.  See you Sunday!
  
In Christ,
Dr. Robin L Lindsey
Dalton First United Methodist Church
706-278-8494 (Office)