A Safe Harbor
for All People
Worship Gatherings have been suspended until further notice. Video worship is available each week, and can be accessed by clicking on the Worship tab above and following the links.
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SUNDAY WORSHIP
Traditional Worship – 9:00 AM
Our Traditional Service features hymns accompanied by choir and piano led by Jennifer Roden. Pastors deliver Bible-based sermons each week.
Contemporary Worship – 11:00 AM
Our Contemporary Service incorporates multi-media messages and praise worship led by Mollie Philbin and Pastor Russ Nanney.
Sunday School for all ages
Sunday School from 10:10 – 10:50 a.m.
Nursery care provided for all ages 6 weeks – 3 years old from 8:30 A.M. – 12:15 P.M.
Location – Harbor UMC
4853 Masonboro Loop Road Wilmington, NC 28409
910-452-7202
claire@harboronline.org
Pastors Russ and Emily host a Q and A with Harbor's members... answering questions from the End Times to Unicorns. Thanks for sending in your questions!
June 3, 2020
Scripture: Matthew 28:20
Reflection: “Take a stand…” says the voice in my head.
As I write this, I find myself in need of a deep breath—a moment of peaceful decompression. But my e-mails are piling up, my baby is crying, and I cannot escape this nagging voice that says: “Take a stand.” Another question percolating in my head: “will your grandchildren be proud of your courage when they learn about the events of spring/summer 2020? Many of us have come to grips with the reality that passivity is ineffective and has likely lead us to this moment. Withdrawal is as detrimental as looting, and perhaps the greatest sin of the Christian Church is silence. Maybe this voice is the Spirit nudging us to “take a stand.”
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus’ final words on earth were these: “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age (28:20).” No one chooses their last words carelessly—we save the best for last. Jesus’ final words to us were that he’d stand with us… forever. In other words, Jesus takes a stand for me everyday.
Yet, many of us are stingy with our stands. This is due in part to our political loyalties. Taking a stand, one way or another, might be an offense to our political party or an admission that Biden or Trump is fallible. We’re fearful we might become an outcast among our family, our friends, or our church. However, a politician’s stance is often transactional and temporary—it does not endure till the “end of the age.” What good is a friendship that’s dependent upon congruent beliefs? And what good is a church that judges your beliefs?
There are those who won’t stand for George Floyd because, after all, he was being arrested for something. But Jesus stands by us, despite our indiscretions.
There are those who don’t stand with police officers because, after all, some of them are racist. But Jesus stands by us, despite are judgmental nature.
There are those who don’t stand with any protesters because, after all, some of them are looting. But Jesus stands by us, despite our lack of holy restraint toward others.
Jesus stands by you and he’s not embarrassed by it. Jesus stands by you and he doesn’t care who’s offended.
Breath Prayer: Loving God, give me courage to stand.
Prayer Emphasis: Pray that you might live with courage today.
Daily Challenge: Make peace with someone today.
Submitted by Pastor Russ Nanney
I stand for our Savior Jesus Christ. I stand for the Bible and its Teachings. I stand for Jesus dying on the Cross because All Lives Matter. John 3:16 I stand for Love One Another. John 13:34-35 I stand against Evil. Ephesians 6:11 I stand for the USA Constitution I stand for the Rule of Law I stand for Not All Blacks are Criminals. I stand for Not All Whites are Racist. I stand for Not All Cops are Bad.