TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR
ORTEGA UMC MEMBERS
As we move into this season of recommitment to Christ and the church as well as thanksgiving to God for all He has done for us, here are some aspects of our relationship with Christ, Church and Community to be considered.
1. WORSHIP!
MAKE SUNDAY WORSHIP A PRIORITY!
The Lord says, "Have no other gods before me." (Nothing's more important!) Jesus says, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." (Put God first!) Paul says, "Present your body as a living sacrifice." (Show up!) Hebrews says, "Don't stop gathering together to worship and pray…"
2. INVITE!
OUMC offers three worship times and experiences on Sunday morning. Let your neighbors and friends know about the options and tell them about your worship experience. Invite them to come with you! Jesus said, "I will make you fishers of men"
3. STUDY GOD'S WORD!
Join a small group for study, sharing, fellowship, and prayer support. We have a variety of small group offerings for all ages on Sunday and weekdays and weeknights. There is something for everyone! "Study to show yourself approved, rightly dividing the word of truth..."
4. BRING!
Bring your children, encourage your youth, get involved! Share our program guide with a friend or neighbor. Tell them about your small group experience. Bring them with you! Jesus said, "Let the children come unto me"
5. PRAY!
You can not only count on the prayers of your church for you and your concerns but your brothers and sisters need to be able to count on you to pray for them. We share joys and concerns in church. We have a prayer list printed in our bulletin and Spire. We send out prayer requests via email. We have prayer groups and we pray at all of our gatherings. We also need to pray that we will understand God's will, follow God's guidance, and allow God to use us even as he empowers us with his Holy Spirit.
6. SERVE!
Jesus set us an example of humility and servant leadership when He washed His disciples' feet. (see John 13) In the Body of Christ each member has a role to play. The scripture says we are to serve the Lord with gladness and we are to serve one another in love. We are to use our spiritual gifts and natural talents for God's praise and glory!
7. GIVE!
Give praise to God. Give thanks to God. Give generously to support the work of Christ and His church. Give of your tithes and offerings. Give of your time and your efforts. Jesus said, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with what measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38)
8. FORGIVE!
Jesus said, "Forgive and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6: 37) God forgives us because of Jesus sacrifice on our behalf and we ought to forgive one another because of that same sacrifice and because we have been forgiven! Jesus taught us to pray, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." (The Lord's Prayer)
9. LOVE!
Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus said that we are to love one another as He has loved us. God has placed within us His own love by the Holy Spirit whom He has given us. (Romans 5:5) The mission statement of our church is "Changing lives through the indwelling love of Jesus Christ!"
10. WITNESS!
Jesus said that we are to go into the world and be His witnesses. He promised to give us the Holy Spirit to give us the grace and power to be His representatives in the world and to be a good example to our church family and friends. "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity." (I Timothy 4:12)
One of the questions we are asked when we become a church member is this: "According to the grace given to you, will you remain faithful member of Christ's holy church and serve as Christ's representative in the world?"
Come prepared to recommit yourself to Christ and His Church for the coming year! Let us do our part and encourage each other to be all we can be by uniting in faith, hope and love!