ἀφελότης

Transliteration: aphelotés

Phonetic Spelling: (af-el-ot'-ace)

Definition: simplicity, sincerity, generosity

ἀφελότης appears only once in the entire New Testament, in Acts 2:46. The word literally means “not stony ground.” In other words, a smooth surface. Unencumbered. Without hindrances or stumbling blocks. The first Christians had been set free by the gospel of Jesus Christ. They were filled with the Holy Spirit. God had worked on their hearts so that their hearts were glad, generous, sincere, “without stumbling blocks.” 

When it comes to giving financially to God, it is so important that we give from our heart. Giving that is done for any other motives is offensive to God. God knows our hearts. He knows whether we are giving sparingly or bountifully. God desires that each one of us would decide in our heart would we should give. If we are reluctant to give, that’s a heart issue. If we feel like we “have to” give, like it’s an obligation, that’s a heart issue. God isn’t moved by hearts that are begrudging or filled with friction or tension. He wants to smooth out those rough places in our hearts so that our giving may be truly cheerful. 

My hope and prayer is that each week every person who calls Perry UMC home will be in their place in worship, so that together we can sing God’s praise, come around God’s Word, serve the Lord Jesus together, and give passionately of our time and our treasure so that God’s will may be done not only in our lives and in our families, but in the whole wide world. When God sees our hearts (and God always sees our hearts), may He find our hearts to be ἀφελότητι. Simple, sincere, and generous. I hope you will consider making a pledge to support Perry UMC financially in 2024. But far more important to me is that your heart is right with God, unencumbered. Then it will naturally flow that our giving and all of our life will reflect that. 

May God continue to plow the soil of our hearts, removing the rocks, so that we might be fertile soil where good things can grow. 

Grace and Peace,

Tom 

Commitment cards for 2024 have been mailed out. If you would like to submit a 2024 pledge of support to our church and its missions online, you may do so here.

Our love and sympathy are given to Kelly Hillis upon the loss of his mother, Varese Chambless.

Please surround Kelly, Carla and their family with your prayers.

The holidays can be some of the hardest days after the loss of a loved one. From November through January, Perry United Methodist Church will be providing a grief support group known as Hope Beyond Today from Grief Care Fellowship written by Dr. Fran Welsh and Nancy Self.

Co-facilitators Rick Gristhentwaite and Shirley Sichelstiel will host these seven sessions that are discussion and DVD based. Mourning faithfully and grieving well is an important part of our soul's shalom or wholeness. The Hope Beyond Today group will meet in the Family Life Center's Meeting room Thursday evenings from

5pm-6:30pm on November 9, 16, 30, December 7, 14, 21, and January 4 and 11.

If you are interested in being part of this group and have questions, contact Rick at [email protected] or Shirley (478-987-5904) or Rev. Tommy ([email protected]). This class will cost $5 per participant for a seven session notebook. Please register at the church office or with them no later than noon on Sunday Nov. 12.

Register for food purposes here or call the church office at 478-987-1852.

Prepare for This Sunday!

Click here to read the scriptures for Sunday, November 12, 2023

Matthew 25:1-13?search=Matthew%2022%3A34-46&version=NIV

The Sanctuary Bells are rehearsing to ring in worship on Sunday.