Newsletter items for next month should be submitted to the Church. Spotlight on Faithful Servants 3.

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1 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID St. Clairsville, OH PERMIT No. 28 TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL PLEASE DELIVER PROMPTLY Thoburn United Methodist Church 209 East Main Street P. O. Box 4 St. Clairsville, OH Phone: Fax: Pastor s bcall.tumc@sbcglobal.net Church thoburnum@sbcglobal.net Published Monthly January 2009 THOBURN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Sunday Worship 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. (for all ages) Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors Visit us on the web! PLEASE TAKE NOTE: Newsletter items for next month should be submitted to the Church Office no later than the 15th of each month. Drop off or to thoburnum@sbcglobal.net. Pastor: Dr. Bradley G. Call Parish Visitor: Richard Jenkins Administrative Assistant: Sheryl King Assistant Secretary: Linda Rauschenberg Christian Education Director: Linda Hudson Choir Director: Mary Jo Magyar Organist: Joyce Crouch Pianist: Linda Steffl Bell Choir and Youth Choir Director: Debbie Myser Children s Choir Director: Jo Ann Copeland Financial Secretary: Mike Kelly Treasurer: Shawn Meier Custodian: Bill Eddy Volume 39 Issue 01 Inside this issue: One year, Sue and I went out to breakfast on the day after Church Leadership 2 Spotlight on Faithful Servants 3 Financial News 6 Thank You Notes 7 Calendar 8 Sympathy 11 Thoburn s Mission: To share the love of Jesus Christ with all people. Thoburn United Methodist Church Thoburn News From the Pastor Christmas with our kids. I should have known better. Kristi and Andy made fun of me because I ordered oatmeal. I mean, I could have ordered french toast or an omelet or blueberry waffles. But I wanted oatmeal. Somehow, after all the Christmas festivity and feasting, all the goodies, I found comfort in the thought of a bowl of oatmeal. It was so...well, routine. I mean, come on... Now that Christmas is over, now that all the wrapping paper has been collected and you have had your tenth piece of turkey, or pie, or fruitcake, your last chat with relatives you don't get to see very often, isn't there a part of you that secretly is glad to be headed back toward the ordinary, the routine, the expected? Though we hate to part with Christmas, part of us is glad it is over. There's a part of us that finds peace in the routine, the ordinary. So we have a mixed feeling about these days immediately following Christmas, because we know the specialness of the season will give way to long days of winter. The ordinary returns after the extraordinary, and everyday life resumes. For some, 2008 was a good January 2009 year: a year of blessings, of newborn babies, additions to the family, getting closer to God, going back to work, taking a special trip, finding new friendships, getting good news from the doctor... For others, they will be just as glad to put the old year behind them, for it was filled with tragedies, hardship, a death, someone moving away, a layoff, bad news, sickness... Strange that the same year can look so different to different people. Yet, not so strange, really. Not so different from other years. They all contain some good, some bad; it just depends on which you happen to be dealt the most. So, in these days following the high celebration of Christmas, when everyday life resumes, when everything is normal, routine, business as usual, let us remember that there is something different. There's a new hope, a new day, a new year. There's a new possibility, because unto us a child has been born. He can turn our ordinary days into gifts of life and love. He gives us new beginnings. Pastor Brad

2 PAGE 2 THOBURN NEWS VOLUME 39 ISSUE 01 Women s Chorus The Women s Chorus will meet in the choir room on January 12th at 10:00 a.m. to begin practice on our new musical program. Congratulations! Congratulations to Mark and Jessica Kreiter (Yanoschick) who were united in marriage Saturday, December 6th! PAGE 11 THOBURN NEWS VOLUME 39 ISSUE 01 In the News Check-In Charlie Recently it has been suggested that we consider re-instituting a ministry that was known as Check-In Charlie. The basic idea of this ministry was to have designated persons make a phone call everyday to those who live alone or others in similar need in order to inquire as to their well-being. This ministry was suspended last year when it was discovered that there was, at that time, no demonstrated need for it. But as times and circumstances change, there may be a need for this ministry once again. If you would appreciate this type of outreach or know of those who would, please contact the church office and let us know the names of those who could benefit. Church Leadership In Christian Sympathy Church Leadership Orientation 2009 As we move into a new year, those who were elected at Charge Conference for various leadership roles in the life of our church will assume those roles. In keeping with that, there will be a Leadership Orientation event on Saturday, January 3, 9:00 a.m.- 12 noon. All members, chairpersons, and team leaders of all committees and ministry teams should attend this event. We will begin with reflections on the spirit of leadership, then hear a vision for our church in We will then share an overview of how our committees and ministry teams work together to live into that vision. A block of time (45-60 min.) will be given for committees and ministry teams to meet in their small groups to begin strategizing for their work in the coming year. Rolls and coffee will be available beginning at 8:30 a.m. A light lunch will be served at the end of the morning. Christian Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Betty Shaffer, St. Clairsville, OH. who passed away Monday, November 24th. (Wife of Ted Shaffer and sister of Doris Woods) Christian Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Evelyn Munn, Waynesboro, Va. who passed away Wednesday, December 3rd. (Sister of Jeanette Halloran and Lavelle Lloyd) Christian Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Jack Call, East Liverpool, OH who passed away Tuesday, November 25th. (Father of Pastor Brad Christian Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Helen Stefani, St. Clairsville, OH who passed away Sunday, December 14th. (Grandmother of Matt Marony)

3 VOLUME 39 ISSUE 01 THOBURN NEWS PAGE 10 VOLUME 39 ISSUE 01 THOBURN NEWS PAGE 3 Up Coming Events Special Thank You Adults: "God Is Closer Than You Think" Study Now Set to Begin in January Our next Bible study is entitled God Is Closer Than You Think. There has been a change to the previously announced start date for this study. The study will now begin on January 14-15, There will be six sessions (offered on Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m. with a duplicate session on Thursdays at 9:15 a.m.) focusing on experiencing the presence of God. Because we believe that the story of the Bible is the story of God s desire to be with people, we will explore the ways in which God can be found in every moment of our lives. We believe God is stretching out to reach us, to be present in our lives. God is there, the Scriptures tell us on every page of our lives. But the ease with which he may be found varies from one page to the next. In this six-session study, award-winning author John Ortberg serves as guide and interpretive leader (via DVD) for experiencing the presence of God in everyday life. With his engaging and humorous style, Ortberg transforms our view of God s presence from one that may seem hidden or distant to one that is closer than you think. (Participants may want to purchase their own copies of the book, as individual purchasers can find a better price than we can provide in quantities.) Thank you for your contribution to Bread for the World, which we received on November 7, Our work is possible only because of the support and involvement of faith communities like yours. Your financial support is especially helpful as Bread for the World begins working with newly elected members of Congress and a new administration. During these times of economic contraction, God s abundant grace in Christ Jesus moves us to advocate help and opportunity for the growing number of hungry people-in our own country and around the world. Thank you again for your generosity as we come to the end of this remarkable year. May your celebration of Christ s birth renew you in joy and hope. Sincerely, David Beckmann President Spotlight on Faithful Servants Unbeknownst to many people in the congregation, two faithful servants, Bob and Linda Hyest, have been performing an essential ministry quietly and behind the scenes for quite some time now. Every week, Linda and Bob gather up the altar flowers (if the flower donors do not want them) and rearrange them for delivery to some of our shut-ins. At the same time, they deliver printed copies and/or cassette tapes of the Sunday sermons to more than a dozen people. Bob and Linda began this ministry when their predecessors, Al and Ruthie Palmer, were no longer able to do it after years of similarly faithful service. Neither the Palmers nor the Hyests ever were listed among the church staff or on the leadership roster, but their ministry is vital to our church s life. Because they are the kind of persons they are, these faithful servants will probably be somewhat embarrassed that we have pointed them out, but we thought you would like to know.

4 PAGE 4 JANUARY NOISY OFFERING THOBURN NEWS VOLUME 39 ISSUE 01 LOGOS LOGOS RESUMES HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EVERYBODY!! Our LOGOS program will resume at 5:00pm, Wednesday, January 7, 2009 with a birthday bash! Children and young adults, Kindergarten through eighth grade, are invited to join us for family dinner time, the text message, and fun and fellowship through J-tunes, MP 2, and Connections. If St. Clairsville City Schools are canceled due to weather, LOGOS is also canceled for that evening. January Noisy Offering Our January Noisy Offering will be taken up for the Souper Bowl of Caring. Once again our church family will be teaming up to experience the joy in Christ by serving others. In addition to our Noisy Offering our youth will provide a collection can in the narthex for donations of canned soup. The soup collected will be distributed to local food pantries and your contributions to the Noisy Offering will be given to The Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling. Since the Souper Bowl of Caring began nearly 20 years ago, youth around the country have mobilized to fight hunger and poverty in their communities. Over $50 million has been generated for hunger related charities thanks to the support of people like you. PAGE 9 THOBURN NEWS VOLUME 39 ISSUE 01 Report of Treasurer for November, 2008: The Operating Fund (#3000) progresses as follows: Additional designated offerings collected: - $ 8, November RITF $ Meals for Mission Current mortgage $581, Financial News Respectfully submitted, Shawn Meier, Treasurer November Prior month end undesignated funds 18, Current month operating fund income 32, Current month operating fund expenditures (27,043.13) Month/YEAR end undesignated funds 24, Human Relations Day is January 18 Special Offering Human Relations Day is a United Methodist Special Sunday offering aimed to make it a day for all God s children. The Human Relations Day offering supports Community Developers, United Methodist Voluntary Service and the Youth Offender Rehabilitation Program. These efforts aim to heal injustice in the United States and Puerto Rico by encouraging social justice and work with at-risk youth. The 1972 General Conference established Human Relations Day to recognize the right of all God s children in realizing their potential as human beings in relationship with each other.

5 PAGE 8 THOBURN NEWS VOLUME 39 ISSUE 01 VOLUME 39 ISSUE 01 THOBURN NEWS PAGE 5 Tu Thank You notes received Pulpit Exchange Dear Thoburn Friends, Thank you for the delicious loaves of bread which we received upon joining the church. It was such a warm welcome into the church family! We look forward to finding areas in which to become active at Thoburn and getting to know you all. In Christ s love, Sue & Amy Aspenwall Dear Reverend Call & members of Thoburn Church, The family of Thomas Dowler would like to thank you, Reverend Call, and the congregation for your prayers, cards, and support during our time of loss. Also, the women who prepared the lovely luncheon following the funeral service. Words cannot express how much we appreciated all that you did for us. Everything was made easier because of your love and concern. In Christian love, Linda Dowler Joe & Gretchen Bradfield & family The family of Evelyn Munn wish to thank our Thoburn family for their kindness and sympathy, as we grieved the loss of our loved one. Lavell Lloyd Jack and Jeanette Halloran I want to thank my Thoburn family for the care package that was sent with perfect timing! I was coming home from a night class feeling a bit down and tired only to find a box waiting for me in front of my door. Any package received is a blessing, but when I saw the return address, my tiredness went out the window! Once inside my apartment, I threw down my books and dove into the box of wonderful goodies! Finals were the next week so the timing couldn t have been better. You all gave me a small blessing in a box! Thank you so much, and I love you all beyond words! Love, Jessi Byrne Sorry for the delay, but I wanted to thank the church for the care package I received at school. It was a very nice surprise. Jessie Ross Notes Received Methodist-Lutheran Pulpit Exchange At the United Methodist General Conference this past spring, delegates approved a full communion agreement with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The ELCA will consider the agreement at its assembly in August Under full communion, the two churches recognize one another's ministry and mission, the authenticity of each other's sacraments and the full interchangeability of all ordained ministers. In the spirit of this budding new relationship, Dr. Call (our pastor) and Rev. Donna Kraus (pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church) have arranged a pulpit exchange for January 25th, which also happens to be Ecumenical Sunday. Each pastor will be preaching at the other s church on that Sunday. Worship will be in the style of the hosting church. Please warmly welcome Pastor Donna on January 25th. We look forward to discovering further ways we can share ministry with one another. NOISY OFFFERING UPDATE Noisy Offering Our team effort netted $ for the Council of Churches Adopt A Child Project. Since this was more money than we needed to purchase gifts for children, our youth shopped for additional items on the Council s Christmas wish list. Additional items purchased included pillows, blankets, hats, mittens, socks, and undies; all in time for Christmas giving. Thank you for opening your hearts to share your blessings with others.

6 January 2009 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Leadership Orientation 9:00 Noon 4 Food Collection Sunday Jubilee Bells 4:00 p.m. LOGOS 5:000 p.m. MYF 5:00 p.m Women s Chorus 10:00 a.m. 13 Council of Churches Christ the King Lutheran 7:30 p.m. 14 Jubilee Bells 4:00 p.m. LOGOS/MYF 5:00 p.m. Bible Study 6:15 p.m. 15 Bible Study 9:15 a.m Jubilee Bells 4:00 p.m. LOGOS/MYF 5:00 p.m. Bible Study 6:15 p.m. 22 Bible Study 9:15 a.m Noisy Offering Pulpit Exchange Rev. Donna Kraus Jubilee Bells 4:00 p.m. LOGOS/MYF 5:00 p.m. Bible Study 6:15 p.m. 29 Bible Study 9:15 a.m