Pastor s Point of View - Pastor Mark Hollinger

Transcription

1 March 2017

2 Pastor s Point of View - Pastor Mark Hollinger It is the Lenten season and a time when Christians are to enter into a season of spiritual renewal. I like the way that the United Methodist Book of Worship summarizes the history and purpose of Lent as contained in the liturgy for Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent: Dear brothers and sisters in Christ: the early Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church that before the Easter celebration there should be a forty-day season of spiritual preparation. During this season converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when persons who had committed serious sins and had separated themselves from the community of faith were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to participation in the life of the Church. In this way the whole congregation was reminded of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the need we all have to renew our faith. Lent is a time of self-examination and repentance. It is a season in which we look to those things that are holding us back from growing into the image of Christ. Every individual has characteristics and patterns of living and thinking that anchor them into one life the sinful life and therefore prevents them from moving into the new life a life of love, righteousness, freedom and joy. Sin is underplayed and under appreciated in our present day culture. We don t like talking about it much, and we most certainly don t like hearing about it much. Unfortunately, the times we don t feel uncomfortable hearing or talking about sin is when we re discussing the blatant sins of others. Jesus had a good comment regarding such a myopic approach. He said we shouldn t be so concerned with the speck of sawdust in our brother s eye when we have a log (or plank) in our own eye. Lent is a time when we are to inspect the logs that are sticking in our eyes and consider removing them. The implied wisdom in all of this is that upon acknowledgment and removal of the planks in our eyes, we ll be much more comfortable and enabled to see much better just who we are and who God is. When we employ the discipline of selfexamination, we begin to appropriate that elusive quality of Christian character known as humility. Continued....

3 Pastor s Point of View - Pastor Mark Hollinger The essence and purpose of Lent is to prepare ourselves for the sacrifice of Christ and to make ourselves a new creation. Anyone who runs a business knows that you take a yearly inventory and out of that daily inventory the owner must decide what is working and producing a profit and what is not. Out of that inventory discovery, the owner then gets rid of the ineffective items and then looks to replace them with something that will be attractive and productive. The essence of Lent is and has always been a season to consider how we can remake ourselves into a better reflection and image of Christ. (Luke 9:23-24) Transform campaign update: As of January 31, 2017, we have $762,195 pledged and have received $428,670. We are on our way. Any money designated will be directed toward: Church Expansion Fund. This is marked on your envelopes. You can also donate online on the St. Marks website. 1. Go to stmarksfindlay.org 2. Click on the ONLINE GIVING tab 3. In the ONLINE GIVING box, click on the myowngiving.com link Donations are designated to Transform/ Capital Campaign. St. Marks Collects the Following for Charity UMW [Yvonne Miller] Campbell Soup labels, including the UPC symbol. Box Tops for Education. Chopin Hall [Carlton Rule] Food [no glass], bath soap, toilet tissue, paper towels, cleaning supplies, etc. Used clothing can be dropped off at Chopin Hall [Mon. & Wed. a.m. and Tues. & Thurs. p.m. at back door] WTGN Radio-97.7 Lima [Garth Beatty]

4 Memorials In Memory of Diane Hogue By Greg & Cynthia Arnette By Sharon Ball By Darl & Florence Benner By Paul & Deb Bramley By Roger & Beth Bumb By Leroy & Dee Callahan By Keith & Barb Cramer By The Essinger Family By Mike & Sharon Fisher By Steve & Anita Heintzelman By Ronnie Hogue By Richard & Ruth Knicely By Joe & Sue Kotlarcyck By William C. & Emily Lenning By Gary & Ruth McCreary By Michael & Christie Meyer By Candy Miller By Norman Opp By Dana & Debra Porter By Jeff & Elsa Shrader By Brian & Leslie Shufelt By Ruth Smith By John & Betty Stiles By Jerrold & Ann Stout By Ron & Christine Tulley By Ruby Tussing & Family By Bob & Becky Vanovich By Janet Vogel By Gary & Nadine Wagner By Judy Whetstone By Linda Whetstone In Memory of Thomas Plikerd By Northwest Plains District In Memory of Kay Scoby By Ruth Smith In Memory of Art Whetstone By William & Jean Musgrave By Brian & Leslie Shufelt By Linda Whetstone DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME Be sure to set your clocks ahead Saturday night, March 11, as time springs forward on March 12. Spring is coming! Prayer Emphasis March 5 March 19 Central Church of Christ March 12 March 26 Parkview Christian Church Stonebridge Church of God Church of Christ

5 St. Marks will be fielding a coed softball team again this year. More information will follow. If you're interested, contact Holley Hannah at AMERICAN RED CROSS March is Red Cross Month Be part of an elite group of volunteers! Give blood. Mark your calendar for the American Red Cross Blood Drive at St. Marks on Friday, March 24, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. in the DOCK. Come paint with us! Wednesday, March 15 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. St. Marks basement $10/child Questions? stmarksfammin@gmail.com

6 Worship Gatherings Sermon Series The Gospel of the Outcasts, Luke s Gospel March 5 The Disabled and Sick Luke 5:12-15 March 12 Prostitutes and Tax Gatherers Luke 10:25-37 March 19 The Good Samaritan Luke 7:36-39 March 26 Prodigals and Other Lost Sons Luke 15:11-32 Mark your calendar for the Rummage Sale on April 27 & 28. Start savings items you would like to donate. They could be someone else s treasure. Donation times: Sunday, April 23 12:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday & Tuesday, April 24 & 25 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Evening drop-offs by appointment: No donations after TUESDAY. HIGH SCHOOL- YOUTH TRIPS FOR 2017 DATES TO PENCIL IN: APRIL 9-13 HIGH SCHOOL ONLY SPRING BREAK MISSION TRIP ALL RADIATE- Mobile Food Pantry March 4 Findlay Evangelical Free Church 2515 Heatherwood Dr., Findlay March 18 Stonebridge Church of God 2111 Stonehedge Dr., Findlay On behalf of the Women s Emmaus Team, the Emmaus Community and myself, I would like to say, Thank You Church for allowing us to have the Emmaus weekends in your beautiful facility. We are blessed each time and see God work in mighty ways. It is only possible because you graciously allow us the use of the church. February 9-12 saw the milestone Walk of # 100. We were blessed beyond expectation! Lives are changed through Emmaus, and we couldn t do it without you. Grace and peace to you, Phyllis Kinn, Lay Director Walk #100 MAY 14 SPECIAL OLYMPICS QUALIFIERS BLUFFTON JUNE SPECIAL OLYMPICS STATE GAMES COLUMBUS JULY MATTHEW 25 MINISTRIES CINCY AND THE CENTRAL YOUTH EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

7 March Sunday School Offerings Sunday School Classes & Teachers Builders Charles Bishop & Yvonne Miller God Loves Us March - God s Eternal, Preserving, Renewing Love April - God s Caring, Saving, and Upholding Love May - God s Pervasive and Sustaining Love Covenant Barbara Hochstettler March - The 5 T s 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus Founders John Richter & Mike Noggle God Loves Us March - God s Eternal, Preserving, Renewing Love April - God s Caring, Saving, and Upholding Love May - God s Pervasive and Sustaining Love Searching for Philos John Carson March - Psalms Soul Seekers Tim Bechtol & Michelle Gibbs March - Old Testament Unit: Faith That Conquers April - New Testament Unit: A King Like No Other May - Special Topic Unit: Following God s Design Wednesday, March 8, 2017 Luanne Circle - 7:00 p.m. Program Leader Hostess Co-Hostess Program Leader Program Leader Hostess Co-Hostess Jeanne McCaffrey Linda Colwell 605 Yorkshire Dr. Linda Colwell Lydia Circle - 10:00 a.m. Eileen Stalets St. Marks - Searching for Philos Room Naomi Circle - 7:00 p.m. Sue Cogley St. Marks - Parlor Michelle Columber If you have questions or would like further information, please contact Diane Hite at or dihite@woh.rr.com. Contributions in the offering envelope marked in your numbered envelope boxes as MY EASTER OFFERING will be designated for the Habitat September build.

8 The Giving Tree is back. St Marks is going to partner with Habitat for Humanity for the Apostle Build this fall. It is scheduled for Sept With an Apostle Build, the churches here in our community come together to build a Habitat House. It is the idea of going out into our community to serve others the way Jesus' apostles served. It's a way that churches can share God's love to those in our community by building houses. Each church makes a financial contribution of $7,000 and will help with the build for one day. We are using the Giving Tree as a fundraiser for the Habitat build. There will be a tree in both the DOCK and the back of the sanctuary. There will be special envelopes on the trees that you can pull off and put in it whatever amount your heart desires. Then place the envelope in the offering plate. We will be doing this now through the end of summer. This is one way to help with the build if you are not able to do the physical work but still want to contribute. Last year alone, Samaritan s Purse delivered more than 11 million Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes to children around the world. God used these simple gifts to change the lives of many boys and girls and their families, and St. Marks was a part of that outreach! We believe that God wants to use St. Marks again this year to send Operation Christmas Child boxes to children all over the world. We need you to join us as we begin to collect items for shoe boxes. We will begin accepting donations in March. A handy shopping guide that lists all the NEW items we ll be collecting each month is available at the Connection Center. Be sure to pick one up and take it with you. March Collection Items: craft supplies, books, stickers, cars, puzzles, dolls, plastic animals, balls, jacks, yoyo s, balloons, Silly Putty, jump ropes, harmonicas, action figures, coloring books

9 St. Marks United Methodist Church Leadership Board Agenda Location: Fellowship Hall 02/28/2017, 6:30 PM Attendance: Mark, Keith, Dave, Garth, Jeff J., Denny, Jeff H., Lisa Welcome: Prayer Discussion topics Fellowship chairs Emmaus community usage when we purchase new chairs for the Fellowship Hall, we intend to get upholstered (padded) chairs. The Emmaus community would have access to all of the chairs during their meetings and weekends. FYI, we raised approx. $800 from the Valentine s brunch for the cost of new chairs. Approximate cost of chairs will be $3,300 $4,800, and the remaining funds will be requested from the Memorial fund committee. The trustees are to determine what to do with the old chairs. Leadership Training takeaways Jeff will talk to our videographer about a short introductory video on our website. Other board members who attended will discuss key takeaways at the March meeting. Agape plan Future options: Blanchard Valley Center staff, Findlay Police Department Prayer requests, God Sightings were discussed and prayed over. Key Metrics Attendance 1 st service (down 18%), Attendance 2 nd service (up 12% = 150) - both down 3% Adult Sunday School (unchanged), Youth Sunday School (down 3%) Youth (up 12%), Radiate (up 8%), Spark (up 14%) Adult Small Groups (up 50%) New members putting together the next class Cash Collected (month) / Cash spent (month) - Cash is up due to a very generous donation from a member in January. The giving tree (Habitat for Humanity) has had a few donations; it will go all summer. Also the Easter free will offering will go to Habitat. Team Reports: Pastor Concerns - nothing new Staffing Concerns - Dave Charles moving along with the licensing process. Liaison or Committee concerns/progress - nothing new Building Concerns - Capital campaign at $440K. The team will seek bids when we hit $600K. New Business: Who will do what by when? Assignments for next time. Book Study and Discipleship moment will be covered at the March meeting. Mark H. and Jeff Joseph to lead Next Meeting: March 28, 2017 at 6:30pm.

10 ST. MARKS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2016 FINANCIAL UPDATE AS OF 12/31/ ACTUAL GENERAL GIVING VERSUS 2016 GENERAL ACTUAL EXPENSES Year To Date 12/31/2016 Actual General Giving Received through 12/31/16 $501,323 Actual General Expenses Paid through 12/31/16 ($524,514) Subtotal YTD Actual General Giving Less Than Actual General Expenses Paid through 12/31/16 ($23,191) Yearend Adjustment-Transfer from BI/MM to General Fund to Cover Final 2016 Bldg/Maint. Expenses $23,191 YTD Actual General Giving Equal to Actual General Expenses Paid through 12/31/16 $0 Total 2016 General Operating Budget was $630,835. $12,132 was needed weekly to cover operating expenses. The average weekly General giving through 12/31/16 is $10,087. This was short by $2,045 as of 12/31/16. ** Total 2016 West Ohio Conference Apportionment Commitment at 75% was $51,740. St. Marks UMC was unable to pay our 2016 West Ohio Apportionment commitment of $51,740 due to the shortfall in General Fund giving ACTUAL MISSION GIVING VERSUS 2016 MISSION BUDGET NEEDS Year To Date 12/31/2016 Actual Mission Giving Received through 12/31/16 $26,425 Mission Giving Required for 2016 Mission Budget Needs through 12/31/16 $0 YTD Actual Mission Giving Less Than 2016 Mission Budget Needs $26,425 Total 2016 Mission Budget is $28,000. $540 is needed weekly and $7,000 is needed per quarter. Payments: Q1 $6,040; Q2 $7,609; Q3 $6,275; Q4 $6, Year to Date Payments $26,364.

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13 St. Marks United Methodist Church 800 South Main Street Findlay, Ohio Volume 67 Number 3 March 2017 St. Marks United Methodist Church Phone: Fax: stmarksfindlay.org Church office hours: M-F, 9 a.m. 2 p.m. Ministers All at St. Marks who follow Jesus Mark Hollinger, Senior Pastor Kai Roberts, Director of Worship & Music Dave Charles, Youth and Outreach Pastor Michelle Shiparski, Pastor of Children s & Family Ministry Kathy Newell, Choir Director