Laity Sunday, October 21, 2001

What are you doing to welcome new guests to the Christian faith in our church? This question was the focus of Mebane UMC's 2001 Laity Sunday worship celebration held Sunday, October 21. Gary Layton, long-time member of Mebane UMC and active in many leadership capacities through the years, was the guest preacher for the 8:45 and 10:55 services. He chose the story of the wise and foolish virgins as the text for his message. Gary tested the congregation's awareness of relationships by asking if we remembered the last 3 Super Bowl Players of the year -- or even the last 3 Super Bowl champs. After we failed to do that, he asked if we could remember the last 3 Nobel Prize winners. When he asked if we could remember our school teachers, or our childhood Sunday School teachers, we "got it" -- relationships that impact us in personal ways are the ones that count in our lives. Gary urged us to look at ourselves as a congregation, and to see if we were truly welcoming newcomers in the spirit of Christ. Evangelism, he said, is all about relationships.

We also honored two special people whose work "behind the scenes" has graced, enhanced, and blessed the weekly worship experiences at Mebane UMC for many years, Kitty Hupman and Mae Edla Shaw. Both have given so much time and service leading the Worship Committee, and Kitty Hupman was cited for her dedication in establishing the MUMS Preschool Program which serves children of our church and community. They were presented with plaques by Jane Johnson, worship leader, and Pastor Alan Swartz.

Truly, Laity Sunday was a day of celebrating the Holy Spirit's work in the lives of our church members, giving them gifts and graces to use as we serve our Lord. We joined the Coleman family as their son Chandler was baptized, and were moved as this little one became a member of the family of faith through this sacrament.

Others participating in the services included Jane Johnson (8:45 & 10:55), Ted Zeller (10:55), Carl Herman (10:55), Brenda Davis (10:55), members of the Praise Team (8:45 service) and Chancel Choir (10:55 service). Amy Tufts coordinated Children's Church during the 10:55 service. The closing hymn of Laity Sunday services captures the worship focus: "I'll shout it from the mountaintop! I want the world to know the Lord of Love has come to me, I want to pass it on."

Dr. Swartz still participated at the 10:55 service by baptizing Chandler Reed Coleman.

Laity Lead Service at Mebane UMC