It’s time.

The sign naming Stephens Memorial UMC was put into place in 1972. The sign face was changed in 2015 when it merged with Marvin Park UMC and became Harmony UMC. Then as the logo and image for the church changed, banners were tied over top of the sign. Due to its wood construction and sitting in the shade of a large tree, it has since rotted and was removed in 2021.

In the meantime I have heard many instances in the community where I share what church I represent or where to come check us out and more often than not people ask if that’s the Korean church. A visitor had been hesitant for about 6 months because he thought it was a Korean church. Every time I mention stories like this, is see eyes in the congregation roll…this is not the first time you have heard this comment.

It's time to take your frustration and turn it into pride for your community in Christ.

We could have purchased a sign from the get-go when we were able to accrue the funds to install a sign, but what we would be inviting visitors into was a place that needed a lot of work inside the building. In this past year and a half, we decided to spend the funds to help repair, restore, refresh and revitalize to make it a welcoming place to all who visit. Harmony now looks like a welcoming place where people can comfortably gather, connect with God and live into Harmony’s vision to live like Christ, love others, and grow in Spirit. BUT...the community will not know to come to our church if we don’t have a sign! Paul explains to the Romans about the necessity of bringing the good news: “But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent?”

I could see Paul extending this rationale: And how will people know where to experience God in community and cultivate their faith if there is no sign??”

It is time for a sign.

This isn’t asking for a sign from God. God has done PLENTY to get Harmony back to life again, making the impossible possible. We now need your help. I have been dropping hints that we need to get this done, so I hope you have been thinking about putting a portion aside. Thanks be to God that tax refund season is here…with that celebrated gift, how about giving 10% toward this campaign?

For those with IRA investments, it was mentioned during worship that you can make a direct payout as a donation and avoid paying taxes on withdrawing funds. Contact me if you have questions about that action.

Our dream goal is not $1.5 million or $200,000 like some large church goals you’ve seen, but only $15,000 for this campaign. This is do-able for Harmony! The quote that we received for a sign is actually a little less, but we also plan to replace some other large items on our capital to-do list that need to get done so we can offer better hospitality to all who visit. If we want large groups to use our Fellowship Hall and kitchen, we need to get the large dishwasher up and running again. This requires a new garbage disposal and hot water heater. If you love to hear the organ, the last time it was inspected and tuned was 2015 and should be done every year. We can also make a better connection with the online worship community if we purchase a video camera that can automatically zoom in and help them to really see what is happening in the front of the church.