Love, Grow, Serve: Investing in Faith and Community

Prayers

Prayer is the heart of our stewardship, connecting us to God and each other. When we pray, we embrace God's generosity and ask for His abundant blessings upon our lives and our church. Your prayers are powerful and needed—let's continue to lift each other and our world in prayer, trusting in God's steadfast love and faithfulness.

A Reflection from Pastor Nathan Arledge

Service: Noticing and Inviting Others  

Scripture Focus: Mark 10:49  

Service in the kingdom of God isn’t just about doing good deeds—it’s about seeing and inviting others into the fullness of life in Christ. In Mark, Jesus teaches us this powerful lesson when He notices the blind man and calls him to come forward. Jesus’ act of noticing and inviting is a model for how we are to serve others—fully, boldly, and with a heart that risks exposure in the community.

In our service, we are called to take note of those around us, especially those who may be overlooked or marginalized. Jesus didn’t just serve the well-known or well-loved; He reached out to those on the fringes, inviting them close and offering them healing and hope. This is the kind of service that transforms lives, both for those who serve and those who are served.

As we continue to serve in and through the church, let’s follow Jesus’ example. Let’s open our eyes to those around us who need an invitation, a word of encouragement, or a helping hand. Let’s serve with the same boldness and compassion that Jesus showed, knowing that our best selves emerge when we help others become their best selves.

Prayer:"Lord Jesus, You teach us to serve by noticing those around us and inviting them closer. In our service within the church and community, help us to follow Your example of boldness and compassion. May we serve with a willingness to take risks, even if it means being exposed or vulnerable. Let us see others as You see them, and extend our hands in invitation, saying, 'Get up and come here.' May our service be marked by a deep love for others, knowing that we are at our best when we help others become their best selves. Guide us to be faithful stewards in our service, always aware of whom we can uplift and support. Amen."

Presence

Your presence is a vital expression of stewardship—an act of love and commitment to our community. By showing up, whether in worship, small groups, or community events, you help us create a space where God’s grace is experienced and shared abundantly. Every time we gather, we strengthen the bonds that make us a church family.

Worship With Us: In Person or Online!

Whether you’re with us in person or online, we love worshiping together each week. Our online service is available at the same link each Sunday: https://vimeo.com/event/627926. You can always find it on our website, too.

We look forward to worshiping with you!

Living Faith in Action: Wesley's Call to Justice and Service

This past week, we discussed John Wesley’s Aldersgate experience, where he felt God's grace deeply, transforming his faith and ministry.

Now for our final week in this series, we’ll see how Wesley’s renewed purpose led him to a life of active faith, focusing on justice and service. Join us as we continue the journey!

Class times: Sundays at 10 AM, Mondays at 6:30 PM and Wednesdays at 3 PM.

For those watching instead of reading, check out the study on Amplify at AmplifyMedia.com, using code MHSBFL.

Trunk or Treat – October 27th, 4-6 PM

We’re thrilled to invite our church and the community to our Trunk or Treat event on Sunday, October 27th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM! This family-friendly event is a great chance to bring your kids, dress up in costumes, and enjoy an afternoon of decorated trunks, candy, games, and activities for all ages.

Be Present and Invite Others: As part of our commitment to stewardship, we are reminded that our presence is a vital part of our church’s mission. Trunk or Treat is a wonderful opportunity to share the love and warmth of our church with others in the community. We encourage you to attend, invite your neighbors, friends, and coworkers, and be a presence of love and welcome.

Event Details:

Date: October 27th

Time: 4:00 to 6:00 PM

Where: Harrison UMC Parking Lot

What to Expect: Trick-or-treating from creatively decorated trunks, fun games, and activities for all ages. Costumes encouraged!

This event is open to all, and no registration is required to attend. By simply showing up and sharing this event with others, you’re helping us extend the spirit of community and generosity.

Please spread the word—feel free to forward this email or share on social media!

Gifts

Giving is an essential part of our stewardship, reflecting our commitment to living generously and recognizing the abundance we receive from God. Your gifts enable us to continue our mission, serve our community, and share God’s love in tangible ways.

Commitment Sunday is November 3!

Be on the lookout this week for our giving card and letter arriving in the mail. Your commitment—whether through your time, talents, or financial giving—helps us continue to build a future rooted in love, growth, and service. If you’d like to fill out your commitment card early, you’re welcome to do so! You can fill it out online or use the card you’ll receive.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your commitment, feel free to reach out to me directly via email. I’d love to connect with you.

Let’s continue building tomorrow together through abundant love and generosity!

Dear Harrison United Methodist Church,



As we embark on this year’s stewardship journey, Launching into Tomorrow: A Legacy of Abundant Love and Welcome, we celebrate the unstoppable movement of God in and through our church. At Harrison United Methodist Church, we are committed to being a place where all of God’s beloved children find welcome, healing, and safety. In the spirit of Christ’s expansive love and tenderness, we are called to embody this mission boldly—and we cannot do it without you.  

We have witnessed the transforming power of this mission firsthand through the ministries and partnerships you sustain. Each month, when we gather with the Charlotte Rescue Mission to serve breakfast, we offer more than a meal. We extend dignity, belonging, and hope—reminding every neighbor that they are seen, valued, and held in love. On our campus, the Nourish Up food pantry is more than a source of essential groceries; it is a beacon of care and compassion for families facing difficult days. Every act of service tells the story of a God who refuses to let any of us be forgotten.  

At Harrison UMC, we are not just sustaining the present—we are investing in the future. Through vibrant children’s and youth ministries, we are raising up new generations of Christ-followers. Their laughter, energy, and questions echo through our halls, building deep relationships and strong spiritual foundations. There is no force more powerful than a community that cherishes its own. These young leaders show us what faith with courage, curiosity and creativity looks like.  

None of this happens without your stewardship. Every financial gift, every act of service, and every story shared fuels the mission of Harrison UMC. Together, we live into John Wesley’s call to “do all the good we can, by all the means we can, in all the ways we can.” Through your generosity, lives are transformed, and hope is restored—not just within our walls but far beyond them.  

This stewardship season invites us into something more than routine giving. It calls us into a holy partnership with God’s abundance. God’s abundance creates new possibilities where the world sees only scarcity. When you pledge, serve, and share, you participate in that abundance, building a legacy that stretches far beyond this moment.  

Together, we are shaping a future rooted in love and radical hospitality—a future where everyone knows they belong. Together, we are Harrison United Methodist Church—better today and better tomorrow because we are better together.  

With gratitude,  

Nathan Arledge

Senior Pastor  

Service

Service is how we live out our stewardship in the world, using our time and talents to make a difference. When we serve, we extend God’s grace and embody His love to those around us. Your willingness to serve reflects a heart of generosity, helping to build a community of abundance and care for all.

Beds Equal Dreams Bedding Sponsorship

Since 2013, Beds Equal Dreams has provided beds and bedding for over 600 children in North and South Carolina, thanks to your support! This fall, we’re aiming to provide 50 more bed and bedding packages, and we invite you to help make this possible.

All of the children have been referred by local schools, and you can sign up to sponsor part or all of a bedding package. Use the link below to sign up. Please note that additional slots may be added until Thursday afternoon, so keep checking back!

Bed Distribution Day – November 16, 2024

Join us at Harrison Church on November 16, 2024, for our Beds Equal Dreams distribution event, where we will provide bed and bedding packages. The distribution begins at 8:30 a.m., with setup starting at 7:45 a.m. This is a wonderful opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of local children!

Deck the Halls & Support Youth Missions

Get into the holiday spirit with a beautiful 24" balsam wreath while supporting Youth Missions at Harrison Church. These locally sourced wreaths from Gastonia, NC, are thick, full, and come with a weatherproof bow—perfect for bringing the holidays into your home.

Wreath pick-up is on Sunday, December 1st, at 10:00 am under the arbor, or later at your convenience.

Be sure to register for your wreath by Sunday, November 17th. Payment can be made online or by check at pick-up. Your purchase helps fund youth mission efforts!

Story Sharing

Our testimonies are a powerful aspect of stewardship—sharing the ways God has moved in our lives and inviting others into His story. By telling our stories, we witness to God's abundant grace and open the door for others to experience His love. Your testimony can be the spark that inspires transformation and new beginnings in someone else’s faith journey.

Gratitude for Your Generosity: How Harrison Church's Support is Changing Lives

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to reach out to you because I had a family contact me to send her appreciation again for the bed that you and your church family provided to her family.

Last school year, the family was going through a housing transition due to family issues and financial hardship. This caused the family to have to relocate and move in with other family members and friends. The child did not have her own bed or blankets but thanks to Harrison Church she does now. The family reached out to share that they recently secured their own adequate housing and now they have a room to set up the child's bed.

I just wanted to let you know that you and your church family have not only helped this one family at our elementary school but several others. So, thank you for all of the work you do! I hope we can continue to work together in the future. 

-Counselor at Local Elementary School

As we continue this new week, let us embrace the joy and grace that comes from being part of our loving community. We have much to celebrate and look forward to, and we encourage you to share this e-newsletter with friends and family who might be searching for a safe space of hope and belonging.