the Tidings Taming the Tongue Inside this issue: Adult Education . . . 16-17 Care Ministries . . . . . . 6-7 Children’s Ministry . 22-23 Churchwide . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Elder Care . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Generosity . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 GUMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 GUWF . . . . . . . . . . . 13-15 Health & Wellness . . . . 20 Hospitality . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Membership . . . . . . . . . . 17
Message from Pastors Tim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Scott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Mimi . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Missions . . . . . . . . . . 18-19 Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Older Adults. . . . . . . . 9-11 OLEC . . . . . . . . . . . 25-27 Youth . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-25
I remember when I was seven years old, I had the opportunity to go to Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus at the Mid-South Coliseum. I was mesmerized by the elephants as they paraded around the ring, picked people up with their trunks, and stood on command. These huge beasts, if they were to get upset, could easily stampede and cause great harm and death. And, yet, they were completely tame. It took a lot of time, energy, and courage on the part of the trainer to accomplish such a feat. But all of that is easy compared to controlling the tongue, and not nearly as important.
Tim Carpenter Senior Pastor
“The tongue has the power of life and death,” says Proverbs 18:21. So, our speech, and the way we use our words, is no simple matter to be glossed over. As with everything else in life that belongs to God, we should learn to give our speech over to the Lord. I think, in the passage from James, we need to look at three aspects that we can learn concerning the importance of our words. The Book of James says: “If anyone is never at fault in what he or she says, that person is perfect, able to keep one’s whole body in check.” To control one’s speech, one must be able to control one’s heart. And if a person’s heart is perfect, that person is perfect. James is saying that one’s speech is a spiritual matter. It takes dependence on God for a person to discipline one’s speech. James further makes the point by comparing our speech to a bit in the mouth of the horse, controlled by another. In the same way, God must be in control of our words we speak out loud, and words we use in social media. Consider that, at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles in tongues of fire. Speaking in tongues of other people, they proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ. The first thing the Spirit controlled was their speech. Why should we expect anything different? The Apostle Paul said, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Eph. 4:29) He also wrote: “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather there should be thanksgiving.” (Eph. 5:4) And Jesus said, “The things which come out of the mouth come from the heart, and that is what defiles a person.” (Matthew 15:18) Our speech is a spiritual matter, and our words have the power to hurt or heal. Take care to tame the tongue.
Thank You to Susan Crowson We share the news that Susan Crowson, our Director of Elder Care Ministries, will be leaving us at the end of February. She will be moving to East Tennessee to be closer to family. Susan has been with GUMC since July of 2023 and has brought a wealth of experience and compassion in her work with us. Seeing the position as more than a job, she has served with a zeal for ministry. We are very thankful for her dedicated work and ministry, and we wish God’s blessing in this new chapter of her life. As Susan moves, we will receive Rev. Linda Gabriel and Richard Mattox, who will work as an Elder Care Team. Their information will be shared in the March Tidings.