Pastor s Ponderings SALEM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH NOVEMBER-DECEMBER A DYNAMIC COMMUNITY - COMMITTED to JESUS & GLORIFYING GOD!

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1 SALEM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH A DYNAMIC COMMUNITY - COMMITTED to JESUS & GLORIFYING GOD! Events to Note SUNDAY WORSHIP 9:30AM Visitors Welcome! ~~~~~~~~ Trustees Meeting Nov 7 & Dec 7PM ~~~~~~~~ Heritage Sunday Sun Nov 11 ``````````` UMW Meeting Nov 13 & 7:30 ~~~~~~ Men s Group No Mtgs Until Jan 2019 `````````` Salem Council Meeting Nov 6:30PM ~~~~~~~ Winter Lunches Nov 14 & Dec 11AM ~~~~~~` Salem Opportunity Shop Sat Nov 3 & Dec 1 8AM-NOON ~~~~~~~~ Pancake Supper & Bake Sale to Benefit the Wells Family Fri Nov 16 5:30 to 7:30 PM ~~~~~ The Gathering Sat Dec 2PM ~~~~~ Christmas Cantata Sun Dec 7PM ~~~~ Christmas Eve Svc Mon Dec 8PM NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 Pastor s Ponderings I greet you again in the name of our marvelous Savior and Lord; the Father, Son and Holy Spirit of God. As Paul often wrote, May God our Father and Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace. We are coming to the end of another calendar year. In a few weeks we start a new Christian Year. It is normal to assess the year going out and plan for the incoming year. I am always amused that Father time looks so old. I hope 2018 has not worn you out as badly as Father time looks! We have had a good year in my opinion. We have accomplished a lot, both with the physical church buildings and, I pray, with the spiritual church body. It is a blessing to be a part of a strong, talented church choir. (You can still join us to practice for the cantata Wednesday nights 7:45) And isn t it great to see so many young people at JAM time? Ask around with your friends. I d wager (if I did that sort of thing) that we may be the only church that has the lovely combination of traditional worship, music quality and children each Sunday. Count your blessings folks! I am also blessed to know that many of you accepted the challenge to read through the Bible this year. I hope you will continue for the rest of your life. I promise you that it will nurture your soul in a way that will surprise you. You will know the blessing. Just this week, in Isaiah 61, 10 th verse, Isaiah wrote I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! Then he goes on to tell us why. For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. (NLT version) Wow! When was the last time you felt overwhelmed with joy in the Lord our God? The more you read, the more you understand the emotions of the writers. Please keep on reading. In 2019, I want to spend the year on another focus: Prayer. Some one has said that Prayer is the only power to which the great God Yahweh yields! Think of it. Our sovereign God may yield to our requests, to intercede for the world! Paul wrote to Timothy (1 Tim 1:2) I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God s mercy upon them, and give thanks. Well, the Bible has a great deal to say about talking with God. It is my hope that we can explore much of that in the coming year. For now, I guess you are changing wardrobes, cleaning furnaces, preparing for Thanksgiving and trying to get head of Christmas shopping. Ok. Keep reading! Keep praying! I ll ponder with you later. -In His Service, Pastor Brian

2 SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS NEWS/COMMITTEE UPDATES From the United Methodist Women L.I.F.T. CLASS The LIFT class is doing a study by Adam Hamilton entitled Revival Faith as Wesley Lived It. We are learning about the life and faith of John Wesley and the beginning of Methodism. In doing so we are developing a deeper understanding of experiencing God's grace and acceptance in our own lives. On Nov.16 the LIFT class will be hosting a Benefit Pancake Supper & Bake Sale in memory of Duncan Wells. The Supper will be from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in the social hall. The Christian Fellowship Class will be organizing the bake sale table in the Lounge. Donations of baked goods would be greatly appreciated from the congregation. Proceeds will be given to the family of Duncan Wells. Diane Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can." John Wesley Our fall chicken salad sale was held on September 19th and was declared a success. Profit was $1, but was down from the spring sale. However, we are in a good position and will be able to fulfill our projected budget made in January Watch for the figures in the next newsletter and also the bulletin. We will be having our regular meeting on November 12, Chris Wall will lead in our devotion time with our annual World Thank Offering being taken. Remembering all the blessings we receive on a daily basis, giving thanks, and remembering with love and compassion those we are told by scripture and tradition to help. In December we will have our annual Christmas party. December 10 is that date, so mark your calendar. Our president, Diane, is working on the place and time, so keep watch in your bulletin for further information. And remember to bring your donation for Samaritan Shelter. This is one of our projects, paper products for the shelter. Any and all donations are appreciated, you may drop them off in the Lounge. We welcome anyone who would like to become a part of our group. Nine nights out of the year is our meeting schedule. Come and join with us for a rewarding experience in serving our Lord through outreach in our community and the world. Barbara, Treasurer "THE GATHERING" is a very special Christmas dinner given by our church for special guests. This year s dinner will be held on Saturday, Dec 8 at 2 PM. By invitation, so keep a watchful eye. If you would like to volunteer or want more information please contact Barbara Browning. AND ON OCT 7th WE RECOGNIZED OUR FIREFIGHTERS WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! & AUXILIARY THANK YOU! On Sept 16th Jean McFord & Joan Williams joined our Salem family..

3 SERVING GOD..WHERE DO I FIT IN? HERITAGE SUNDAY EVENTS: Mark your calendars for Nov11th for our traditional Heritage Sunday. In the morning worship service, we will welcome Wesley Lockfaw as our speaker. Currently Wesley holds the position of Organist and Music Director at Christ Church Episcopal in Easton, Maryland where he directs numerous ensembles including the Christ Church Choir. He is, also, the Artistic Director of the Easton Choral Arts Society. Following the worship service, the Christian Fellowship Class will again host Fellowship Coffee in the Social Hall. At 7 PM you are invited to return to the sanctuary for a musical program featuring an organ/piano duet by Wesley Lockfaw and our own Gloria Wilkins. Also performing in the program will be Lauren Abell, the Four-Given Quartet, Frank Henry, Brittany Lewis, Jeanette Smolinski, Debra Scott, and a special Mystery Guest. A Love Gift Offering will be taken to benefit the Samaritan Shelter. The LIFT Class will provide refreshments in the Social Hall following the program. The community is being invited so be sure to come early to get a good seat! -Coleen WINTER LUNCHES will be starting soon. Please bring any size coats, sweaters, gloves & hats to the LIFT room. Cold weather is certainly knocking on our door & warm clothes will be greatly appreciated. Donating your time would also help this important community mission. Even if you only have an hour or 2 to help on lunch days it would be greatly appreciated. Donations are always welcome. Check the dates below we would love to work with you. Sid Nov 14 Dec 12 Jan 16 Feb 20 Mar 20 Salem Opportunity Shop We will be open on Nov 3 rd, and Dec 1 st, then throughout the winter on the first Saturday of each month, unless the weather changes our plans. For the winter months, blankets, always sheets, pillow cases and towels, and small appliances. Come and check us out, we just might be able to help out with some Christmas shopping. Ann and Barbara The Christian Fellowship Class has resumed their Sunday School studies. They just finished a six-lesson series on Moses, The Reluctant Prophet and are beginning a new series from the Methodist Quarterly entitled God s Word and God s People. Our Sunday School immediately follows the morning worship services (10:45-11:45) and everyone is welcome to join us. If you are not sure, come and check us out. We recently donated $750 to the Trustees to help defray the unexpected expense of the roof repair. We will be working the Bake Table for the Duncan Wells Fundraiser on Fri, Nov 16 with contributions of baked items from the congregation. Our sale table will be in the Lounge so be sure to check out our yummy selection. At our last class meeting the current officers agreed to continue for another two-year term. They are: President: Coleen Mister; Vice- President: Nancy Flynn; Secretary: Ann Price; and Treasurer: Jim Nichol. We are in the planning stages for our annual Christmas Project and finding a location for our Christmas Dinner and Gift Exchange. Watch the Bulletin for details. Coleen

4 DEPARTMENT NEWS & UPDATES... CANDLELIGHT SERVICE This year s service will be on Christmas Eve, Dec 24th beginning at 8PM. This is a family event celebrating God s gift to the World & a Salem tradition in our community. Come As You Are! PJ s Are Welcome! CONGRATULATIONS GREGG FROSTROM JR! Gregg Jr retired from the US Army on July 20, 2018, having served 23 years, including four deployments to Afghanistan & one deployment in support of peacekeeping in Kosovo. His accomplishments are outlined below from the Retirement Ceremony Program. Thank you to Gregg, for his service to his country & to his family for their sacrifices & support during his 23 years of service. GOD IS WITH US! This year s cantata is a new one called God Is With Us by Tom Fettke. It is a celebration of a miracle: the appearance of God on earth in the body and human soul of Jesus Christ. The Incarnation is a sacred event so thrilling, so humbling, so mystifying that we must stand breathless in wonder and awe. God Is With Us is traditional in style, but features innovative twists and turns. It combines exciting and moving classical music by Fauré, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, and Billings with some of the world s most loved Christmas carols & melodies that everyone will recognize. So, with boundless praise and thanks, we encourage you to join us in exclaiming: Alleluia! God Is With Us! It s not too late to be a part of this heart-warming & joyful worship performance. Join us for rehearsals at 7:45pm on Wednesday evenings. Please join us on Sunday, December 9th at 7PM in celebration of this Christmas season. -Gloria Wilkins & A Host of Stars

5 KID S KORNER RALLY DAY RACES ARE A SUCCESS! APPLE BUTTER FUNDRAISER The Teen class is asking for donations to help with this project. They need: Pint size mason jars w/lids, sugar & gallons of water. Please contact for more info or to donate. The class is raising money to attend the Youth Rally being held in Ocean City January 4th through 6th for Grades HELP WANTED Person with a big heart & a big smile who is looking for a way to make a difference in children s lives. Please contact Pastor Brian for more info & to apply. Salem kids AND WHO DOESN T LOVE A PARADE!

6 Salem United Methodist Church 500 Second Street, P.O. Box 145 Pocomoke City, MD Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Permit 81 Pocomoke Contact Us: or Office : Tues-Thurs 9:30AM-1PM Pastor, Rev. Brian Albert Music Director, Gloria Wilkins Admin. Asst., Debbie Baylis GOT NEWS?? Contact Christy Frostrom by at cfsubaru@aol.com with details. THE LIFT CLASS INVITES YOU TO JOIN US FOR AN OLD-FASHIONED PANCAKE SUPPER & BAKE SALE! Proceeds From This Event Will Go To Benefit The Family of Dr Duncan Wells Join us for pancakes, sausage, scrapple, eggs, potatoes & apples FRIDAY - NOV 16th - 5:30 to 7:30 PM Adults $8, Kids 10 & Under $4 Tickets are available from Lusby s True Value, Outten Bros or class members Be Sure to Check Out The Goodies on the Bake Table ************DONATIONS ACCEPTED*********** WINTER LUNCHES Nov 14th & Dec 12th 11 AM 1PM SALEM OPPORTUNITY SHOP 1st Saturdays 8AM NOON COME SHOP AT OUR TREASURE SHOP!