A Morning in the Upper Room

Photo right: The Rev.Tom Albin (center), dean of the Upper Room joins participants during the prayer time. 

Over 200 Methodists packed the sanctuary of Hernando United Methodist Church recently on a Saturday morning as the Senatobia District clergy and lay leadership responded to an invitation to spend "A Morning in The Upper Room."

After a social time around breakfast, the session began at 9:00 a.m. with opening worship by a praise team from Getwell Road UMC.

The first speaker was Lindsey Lauderdale, a new member of Hernando UMC who recently joined the church by confession of faith and baptism. She told of her life and spiritual journey, reminding the group, as she spoke of being a "work in progress." She had the crowd riveted with a wonderful testimony and witness.

District lay leader, Blair Jernigan and district superintendent, Andy Ray followed her, speaking of their own sense of urgency. Tom Albin from The Upper Room spoke next and described our Methodist "DNA"-- those core values, mission and vision that God used to fuel the early Methodist movement and church. Closing out the speakers was John Garrott, who explained a simple way to share faith in Christ, and the need for reliance on the Holy Spirit.  

An invitation to prayer was then given, and the prayer line lasted almost an hour! What a blessing to see God move in such a wonderful and powerful way!

The following testimony was received from an attendee:  

"I shared it with my church yesterday morning, which is the first time I actually had courage to stand up and witness about thanking God for what he has done in my life and how I want to make a change. It was food for the soul... The singing was beautiful and the knowledge they gave us on how to go out as disciples I thought was the best part. It's amazing how much one meeting can affect your life; make you want to do more."