The purpose of Evangelism is to share and instruct in the Gospel and to witness to others. Spreading the word of God was the last commandment of Jesus before He ascended to the Father. Education, encouragement, and spiritual growth are important priorities at Venice-Nokomis United Methodist Church. We offer many opportunities to learn more about Jesus and to deepen the experience of being in a relationship with Him.

Several projects our Evangelism Committee has sponsored include the following: publishing Church Pictorial Directories, sponsoring Churchwide Picnics, offering a Prayer Labyrinth, providing opportunities for Covenant Renewals on specific topics, such as, prayer, spirituality, and stewardship. We care about our members and we look for opportunities to help each other. To often we underestimate the power of a smile, phone call, or hug which have the potential to turn someone’s day into a happy one.

The Evangelism Committee also maintains a Welcome Center in the Narthax of the Sanctuary to greet visitors and guests each Sunday before each Worship Service. The visitors are given a guest name tag, Church postcards, a map, and a folder with information about the various activities and programs offered at Venice-Nokomis United Methodist Church.

Labyrinths are used in different religions in various forms around the world. They have been used for prayer and meditation as early as 350. The two most recognized designs of labyrinths are the Chartres or Classical Eleven-Circuit and the Classical Seven-Circuit. Because there is only one path the word “circuit” is used to describe the number of times the path circles around the center of the labyrinth called the rosette.

The illustration shown above is an example of an Eleven-Circuit Labyrinth. There are eleven concentric circles with thirty-four turns going into the twelfth circle or center or the labyrinth. It also has a distinctly Christian design. A cross is visible within its layout and the concentric circles are a symbol for God, creation, and wholeness. The rosette has a six-petal design to represent a rose, which is a symbol for Mary the mother of Jesus.

The most famous Eleven-Circuit Labyrinth was built in the stone floor of the Chartres Cathedral near Paris, France in the thirteen century. Christians who could not make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to walk in the footsteps of Jesus would travel to cathedrals that contained labyrinths to walk one in a symbolic gesture of the pilgrimage. The Classical Seven-Circuit Labyrinth is a simpler design that is often called a “Cretan” Labyrinth, which refers to the design found on ancient coins on the Island of Crete. It is also the oldest style found in many cultures.

The Prayer Labyrinth is prayer in motion. It engages your body, mind, and spirit. The mysterious winding path that takes you to the center becomes a metaphor for your own spiritual journey in Christ. The labyrinth is not a maze so there are no tricks or dead ends. There is only one path to the center and then by the same route, you exit. The three stages of walking the labyrinth are:

Entering the Path / Shedding Cares The Center / Illumination Returning / Union

A labyrinth is a right brain task. It involves intuition, creativity, and imagery. When you walk a labyrinth, you meander back and forth, turning 180 degrees each time you enter a different circuit. As you shift your direction you also shift your awareness from the right brain to the left brain. This is one of the reasons the labyrinth is a powerful tool to calm your body and mind and reduce stress.

Walking the labyrinth is also a spiritual tool used for meditation, reflection, prayer, problem solving, and comfort. There is no right or wrong way to walk the labyrinth. Some walk to address a specific intention, issue, care, or concern. Others may walk offering intercessory prayers, giving thanks and praise, or focusing on a single Bible verse, question, or joy. The actual walk can be considered as a prayer in itself. The experience of walking the labyrinth can richly bless your spiritual life and lead to discovery, insight, peace, solace, and direction.

Additional Pages Finger Labyrinth Instructions to Make Your Own Labyrinth

Covenant Renewal Renewing our covenant with God helps to remind us of our deep need for God’s grace. Every person must recognize their sinful condition and remember that they cannot experience forgiveness outside of the grace of God. Our Assistant Minister, Ralph Burton, states that if we renew important covenants, such as, our driver’s license and wedding anniversaries on a regular basis, shouldn’t we also renew the most important covenant of all - our covenant relationship with Jesus Christ? John Wesley urged his followers to renew, “at every point, our covenant, that the Lord should be our God.”

Covenant Preparation To prepare for your rededication set aside time to spend alone before the Lord. Be serious and in a spirit of holy awe and reverence. Claim God’s covenant and rely upon God’s promise of giving grace and strength. Trust not your own strength and power. Resolve to be faithful. With God’s power, never go back. Open your heart to Him as you pray “The Sinner’s Prayer” which is an example of a covenant prayer for you to follow. We encourage you to add your own words to make it a more personal experience.

The Sinner’s Prayer Jesus, Please forgive me of all my sins. I accept You as my own personal Savior and according to Your words I am saved. I believe You died on the cross at Calvary for my sins, and rose again three days later. I believe that by the shedding of Your precious blood I will have eternal life. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Heal me, change me, and strengthen me in body and soul. I confess that You are Lord and I will now follow You. Thank you for loving me and for your gift of eternal life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. For more information         Click Here

We encourage you to renew your covenant not only in your heart but also by writing down your words. Once completed, sign it, and keep it as a reminder of the holy agreement between God and you. This will help you to remember your covenant during doubts, trials, and temptations.

Prayer Covenant One of the most unique covenant renewals Venice-Nokomis United Methodist Church has offered was on prayer. The congregation was asked to submit different topics to pray about each day during Lent at noon. Lent was chosen because it is a time of repentance, reflection, reconciliation, and spiritual growth. The prayer topics were published in a brochure of our members and you may click on the link displayed below to print out the topics and use as an example in your own covenant renewal and to share with others.

Additional Pages

Prayer Topics Now and Forever Collection of Creeds Christian Quotations The Great Commission When I Say, I'm a Christian" One Thing You Can't Do in Heaven Ten Things God Wants You to Remember Ten Ways to Measure your Spiritual Growth

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