Messenger. Kick-Off September 13. Invitation - An Introduction to the Basic Themes of the Bible - Sept. 15

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1 THE MESSENGER GLENWOOD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2931 Myrtle Street Erie, PA Address Service Requested NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID ERIE PA PERMIT NO September WORSHIP SCHEDULE Sunday, Sept. 6-8 & 10:45 am Holy Communion Celebrated Communion Offering: Youth Service Fund A Servant without Mercy: Forgiven to Forgive Matthew 18:21-35 Pastor Matt Judd Sunday, Sept & 10:45 am Kick-off Sunday Return to Sunday Sunday, Sept & 10:45 am Message by Pastor Shirley Deemer Messenger Kick-Off September 13 Invitation - An Introduction to the Basic Themes of the Bible - Sept. 15 This 10-week study will provide an overview of the major themes of the Bible from beginning to end. It is a great study for those new to Christianity or who have struggled to put it all together when it comes to understanding the Bible. This class will meet Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30pm, beginning September 15. Study book is required so sign up in the bell room. Erie County CROP Walk - September 27 Join us for our 40th year of walking to insure that we continue to grow in service to the hungry in our community and in the world. Last year we received $66,300 in donations, 25% of which was given to 24 of Erie s local food programs. So tie up your walking shoes and unite with more than 800 walkers on Sunday, September 27 at 1:30 p.m. at Presque Isle State Park Beach 1. For more information, check out the website cropwalkerie.org or contact Glenwood s coordinator, John Burlingame, at Sunday, Sept & 10:45 am CROP Walk Sunday After much discussion among the leadership team and church, we have decided to change the time of early service, beginning Sept. 6. Our new worship times will be Sundays at 8:00 am and 10:45 am with Sunday at 9:30 am. The hope is to allow more time for building community between the early service and Sunday and not to feel like we are rushing that transition time. MARK THE DATE SEPTEMBER 13 IN THE SOCIAL ROOM AT 9:30 A.M. PLEASE JOIN US FOR CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AND SOME FUN ACTIVITIES AS WE KICK-OFF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL YEAR. THERE ARE CLASSES FOR EVERY AGE AND INTEREST! FOR MORE INFORMATION, TALK TO PASTOR SHIRLEY. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! Pastor s Office Hours Monday Thursday 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. pastor@glenwoodumc.org Church Office Hours Monday Friday 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. office@glenwoodumc.org

2 MESSENGER 2015 SEPTEMBER Reflections on the Upside-Down Kingdom Sun Mon Having just returned from the youth mission trip to WV, I am still reflecting on many of the things that I saw and experienced. First, I want to say again that the youth of our church represented themselves and all of us, very well. It was a joy to spend the week serving Jesus and the folks in Lincoln County, WV with them. What is the Kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches. [Luke 13:18-20] PAGE 2 The theme for the week was the Upside-Down Kingdom and all of our Bible study and devotional times were built around that emphasis. I have been thinking very seriously about this ever since and I ve come to this conclusion: Christians are (or should be) in fact upside down when it comes to how we look at and live in the world. I fear we are so familiar with the stories of Jesus that we often miss this point. So let s recap some of what Jesus said and did The world says but Jesus says Get mad and get even forgive your enemy and pray for them Be first to be first you must serve (be last) Do your own thing love your neighbor as yourself Focus on the power players eat with sinners and outcasts Save yourself sacrifice yourself I live to glorify myself I live to glorify God Pick the smartest people in the room pick tax collectors and illiterate fishermen Everywhere we look, we see the upside-down nature of the world in which we live traditional marriage has been redefined, aborted babies are being sold for their parts, violence takes teenagers on our streets and terrorism strikes down hundreds around the world. Into this scenario, Christians are commanded to be counter-cultural. We are called to live in such a way that we point to a better and improved way of living life at all levels. Jesus points to that impact with parables about a mustard seed and yeast. Then Jesus asked, What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches. Again he asked, What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[ of flour until it worked all through the dough. Luke 13:18-21 The point is simple, yet profound, especially to our American culture. The Church has drunk the Kool-Aid that bigger is always better and always means influence - so we spend all our time trying to get bigger (and supposedly better). But the Kingdom that Jesus alludes to is upside-down from that understanding. It works small (both mustard seeds and yeast are tiny) but produces great and noticeable results. The funny thing is that both the seed and yeast are doing exactly what they were made to do. Perhaps the truth is that when we live for Jesus faithfully, living exactly how we were created to live, that it s not Christians who are upside-down but vice versa that we are right-side up while everyone else is upside-down! Our task then is to live that out joyfully, humbly, and truthfully every day. Living for Jesus with you, Pastor Matt 6 Communion 7 Labor Day Office Closed 8:00 Ride for the Refuge 13 Kick-Off Brunch 14 6:30 Church Administrative Meetings 6:45 Upper Room Class 6:00 Youth Kick-off Youth Retreat-I 27 1:30 CROP Walk - Presque Isle Tue Wed 2015 Thu 3 Fri Sat :30 Men s Bible Study 5:30 Praise Team 6:00 Craft Guild 8:00 Men s 7:30 Choir Reh :00 Bible Study 5:30 Praise Team 8:00 Men s 7:30 Choir : 00 Homeschool Teens 8:00 Wesley Woods Last Swing Golf Outing : 00 Jump Start 6:00 Homeschool Teens 6:00 Markiewicz Family - Gym I-Youth Retreat :00 UM Nursing Course 26 2:00 Homeschool Gavel Club 3:30 Prayer Shawl 7:00 UM Women 15 6:30 Men s Bible Study 17 5:15 Brain Injury 12:00 Bible Study 8:00 Men s 2:00 Urban Univ. 5:30 Praise Team 7:00 Invitation Study 7:00 Youth For Christ 7:30 Choir 22 6:00 Food Pantry 6:45 Upper Room Class :00 Homeschool Gavel Club 12:00 Bible Study 8:00 Men s 2:00 Urban Univ. 7:00 Invitation Study 5:30 Praise Team 7:00 Youth For Christ 7:30 Choir :30 Church Program Meetings 6:45 Upper Room Class 6:30 Men s Bible Study 8:00 Work Day 5:00 Koinonia Ultreya Wesley Woods --- 8:00 UM Nursing Course 9:30 UMW Day Apart at Wesley Woods 30 12:00 Bible Study 2:00 Urban Univ. 7:00 Invitation Study 5:30 Praise Team 7:00 Youth For Christ 7:30 Choir Remember to Check out our Web site: PAGE 11

3 September Birthdays and Anniversaries PAGE 10 Birthdays: Sept. 1 Fran Donatelli Sept. 1 Steven Jaskiewicz Sept. 1 David Jaskiewicz Sept. 2 Stacy Smith Sept. 3 Brian Bratton Sept. 4 Jordan Burlingame Sept. 4 Len Waytenick Sept. 8 Nate Conti Sept. 9 Alexa Pawlak Sept. 10 Lois Ross Sept. 12 Susan Grayer Sept. 12 Shawn Gwin Sept. 13 David Roth Sept. 13 Jennifer Wolfram Sept. 16 Sandy Sornberger Sept. 16 Tim Vinson Sept. 17 Justin Zeigler Sept. 18 Brandy Sornberger Sept. 20 Gabriel Gwin Sept. 21 Jemma Bryan Sept. 22 Diana Carlson Sept. 24 Vivian Small Our Prayer Concerns Sept. 27 Jamie Arnold Sept. 27 Anna Judd Sept. 28 Aiden Conley Sept. 29 Chris Caskey Sept. 30 Janelle Arnold Anniversaries: Sept. 7 David and Christine Roth Sept. 13 Dennis and Fran Sprake Sept. 15 Tim and Barb Bowers Sept. 20 Brian and Samantha Bratton Sept. 20 Bob and Jean Kenny Sept. 21 Jim and Peggy Barnes Sept. 23 Todd and Ann Marie Ernst Sept. 24 Brian and Bonnie Confer Sept. 25 Dave and Bridget Bryan Sept. 26 Dennis and Cyndy Crosby Sept. 29 Bill and Sherry Wagner Our records may not be complete, please call the church office, to let us know if we have omitted your name. Joel Schlabach recovering from surgery Wally Alexander - hospitalized after kidney surgery Wanda Watkins new knee treatment Laura Shoffner back problems Nick Bonnell for tough decisions that need to be made Brett Kenny recovering from surgery to remove a tumor Bob Kenny, Jr - remains on heart transplant list PRAYER FAMILIES IN SEPTEMBER: Dave & Peggy Seib Terry & Shirley Snyder Justine Selan Bob & Sandy Sornberger Terry & Judy Shaffer Brandy Leroy Sherman Dan & Lexa Thompson Laura Shoffner Emelyn & Maciella Vivian Small Jim & Carol Thompson Al & Robin Smith & Family John & Lois Tibbitts Ralph & Shelley Toland Davina Jessica Tolasky Rita Triana Bill Varrato Michael & Rissy Viglione Jump Start Grades 4 6 6:00 7:30 p.m. September 18 October 2, 16 November 6, 20 December 4, 18 BACKPACK TO CARRY ALL MY STUFF PENCIL AND PAPERS TO DO MY HOMEWORK CRAYONS FOR COLORING BOOKS TO LEARN It's back to school time again! Some of you are probably feeling excited. Some of you may be a little sad that summer is over. You may feel nervous or a little scared about going back to school because of all the new things that you will have to face. You will have new teachers, some new friends, and some of you may even be going to a new school. On the first day of school, the teacher will probably ask some questions to see how much you already know. When the teacher asks a question to which you know the answer, you might wave your hand excitedly in the air and say, "I know! I know!" It is a great feeling when you know the answer, isn't it? It sure helps to take away those "Back to Jitters." Games Activities Snacks & More Contact Pastor Shirley at or for more details. HOP Grades 1 3 6:00 7:30 p.m. September 18 October 16 November 20 December 18 The Bible tells us of a specific time Jesus went to school. You can find it in Luke 2: Jesus was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone was amazed at Jesus understanding and answers. Jesus knew God better than anyone, but he also knew that it was important to be in God s house. He knew that learning about God is important. It s important that we study and learn so our minds will grow full with knowledge. It s even more important for us to study and learn about God. Parents as you get ready to send your children off to school and kids as you get ready for school don t forget the most important thing to take with you Jesus. He s with you when you re on the playground and in the classroom, on the bus and in your home. Dear God, Thank you for being so amazing that you are with us always! HAVE A GREAT YEAR! I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU. PAGE 3

4 With Gratitude Thank YOU! We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. PAGE 4 We want to thank you for all the prayers and concerns for our family. It has been very difficult for over a year now and pray that things will be much better soon. The flowers you send were beautiful and talking to Pastor Matt was priceless. Thank you especially for all the prayers. Bob and Jean Kenny We want to thank Pastor Matt and Pastor Shirley for their TLC and visits to my mother while she was in the hospital. We also want to thank Pastor Matt again for the lovely memorial service. Please know that we appreciate the large group of angels who donated food, cooked, served, and cleaned up at our bereavement dinner. The shower of cards and expressions of sympathy have been very welcome and helpful. The love of God abounds at Glenwood and we are grateful to receive it at this time, and always. Carol and Jim Thompson and the family of Kay Bojarski LOCAL MISSION Thank you so much for your donation of $130 toward the Well House Project. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Camp Findley Staff I want you to know how sincerely grateful I am to you. Your donation of $81.51 from the Children s Sunday Class penny collection is an investment in families, veterans, and others facing homelessness in our community. Thank you for your donation of $220, please know that it is helping Moms and Dads, children and veterans end homelessness now, AND helping us end the cycles of poverty that will impact generations for years to come. Together, EUMA with partners like you are alleviating poverty and ending homelessness in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Kurt Crays EUMA Thank you! Please tell the youth that helped you that painting our ramp was much appreciated by everyone in the congregation. Henderson UM Church On behalf of EUMA s, The Refuge, I would like to thank you for your generous donations of food items. Your contribution makes it possible to minister to and provide support to homeless families in the Erie Community. Missy Niedzielski Refuge Supervisor September Communion Offering-Sept. 6 September s Communion Offering will go to support the Youth Service Fund (YSF). This is a grant program that helps fund youth mission work primarily within Western PA. The fund allows youth to get seed money to do ministry in their own ministry setting. To everyone who helped the youth raise money for their mission trip to WV. A special thanks to Roger Brumagin, the Brattons and Jakiels for providing cots and to Karen Jakiel for all the food and goodie bags for our trip. Shirley Deemer for putting together a thank you gift basket for our intern, CJ. Dave and Peggy Seib for housing CJ in July and August Dave Seib, CJ Brown, Pastor Matt and Caroline Judd, and Scott Bonnell for helping repair the ramp at Henderson UMC. Dave Bryan for organizing our church worship service at the beach Kathy Durst for coordinating our shoe collection for EUMA/All God s Children we surpassed our goal of 50 bags by collecting 53 bags + 6 pairs of shoes!! For all those who provided food and assistance in the kitchen at the funeral dinner for Bonnie Hilliard s family Tom Butcher for building a new doghouse for the parsonage gas meter Short Term Sunday Class - The Prodigal God - Sept. 20 Join us for this six-week study on one of Jesus most famous parables. Using the book by the same name, Rev. Timothy Keller will lead us into a deeper study of the major players in the story and Mark Your Calendar help us apply the lessons to our own lives. This class will be led by Pastor Matt and will feature a video teaching component. Class begins Sunday, September 20 so sign up in the bell room. Books cost $10. Saturday, October 3 All-In Men s Conference Monday, October 5 (5pm) Community Meal Sunday, October 11 (5pm) Soup and Song (dinner and hymn sing) Sunday, October 18 (2pm) Church Conference Sunday, November 15 Operation Christmas Child packing party Sunday, November 22 Jesse Tree event to prepare for Advent Saturday, November 28 Hanging the Greens Sunday, December 13 (2pm) Children s Christmas program PAGE 9

5 Fall Mission Trip - November Youth Team PAGE 8 Youth Church Fall 2015 Schedule Meetings: Sunday nights from 6-8pm All youth in 7 th - 12 th grade Sunday, September 13 Fall Kick-off event Blast from the Past!!! September (Friday-Sunday) Youth retreat at Wesley Woods camp Sponsored by Infuzion Ministries cost is $75 Sunday, September 27 CROP Walk (time TBA) Sunday, October 4, 11 Youth meeting Sunday, October 18 youth meeting Sunday, October 25 youth meeting Saturday, October 31 Trunk or Treat event at the church (come and help out) Sunday, November 1 youth meeting Friday, November 6 Erie Otters hockey leave church at 6:30pm; Tix $10 Sunday, November 8, 15, 22 youth meeting Sunday, November 29 NO youth Happy Thanksgiving! Sunday, December 6, 13 youth meeting Sunday, December 20 2 nd Annual Ugliest Christmas Sweater and Caroling Summer Mission Trip in West Virginia Party find the ugliest Christmas sweater you can! Hang out at P-Matt s house after we are done Sunday, December 27 NO youth Merry Christmas! Don t forget that Sunday kicks off again beginning September 13 th at 9:30am. Don t miss out on a great study! Glenwood UMC 2931 Myrtle Street, Erie Got Questions??? - Contact P-Matt We are putting a team together to head to New Jersey to assist with the ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy that struck the eastern seaboard in There are still people rebuilding their homes three years later and we want to assist them. The cost per person will be $250, which will cover food, meals, and transportation. We are also seeking partners to help cover the cost even if they cannot go themselves. If you are interested in being part of the team, please contact Dave Seib ( ). H2O Helping Hands Outreach Operation Christmas Child Our big project this year is Operation Christmas Child, a program run by Samaritan s Purse, headed by Franklin Graham. Basically you pack a shoebox full of basic hygiene supplies, school supplies, games, toys, and candy, and then take it to a designated drop-off point. From there it is shipped overseas to poor areas and given to a child. At the drop-off point a pamphlet carrying the Good News in that child s language is added to the box as well. There is a display in the Bell Room with a more extensive list of what to donate (and what not to- please pay special attention to that list!), as well as a donation box. For more information pick up a pamphlet on the table (these have a condensed copy of the donate list) or visit Also please note: we are having a shoebox packing party at the church in November. DO NOT PACK YOUR BOX AHEAD OF TIME!!!!!! Simply bring in donations listed and shoeboxes of any kind. Cardboard shoeboxes are used, but if you are buying, plastic ones are preferred because they last longer. For any questions or concerns contact Caroline Judd at or at carolinejudd7@gmail.com. Thanks! PAGE 5

6 Ride for the Refuge - September 7 Join us for this year's Ride for The Refuge - a charity bicycle ride benefiting The Refuge, EUMA's emergency homeless shelter for families with children. The event is set for Labor Day, Monday, September 7. The Ride features scenic tours of various lengths at each of our two event locations: Shades Beach in East Erie County and Albion Fairgrounds in West Erie County. This is not a race, but an event for bicycle enthusiasts of all abilities. Participants will enjoy a great ride through scenic country, water and snack stops along the way, sag wagon services and our free and fabulous Riders' Picnic, including live music. Ride tours include: 25-km, 50-km, and 100-km; as well as a 50-mile (Shades Beach location only). Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., with the event beginning at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $30 adult, $12 child (day-of-event). You may register online for the Shades Beach location or for the Albion Fairgrounds location. Church Work Day - Sept. 19 Summer has flown by and its time to start preparing for the longer days of winter. The church has been very active over the past few months and there are a number of repairs and improvements that we want to make as we head into a busy fall season. We have both inside and outside projects to tackle so we hope to see you here to help us with the work. Contact Lois Ross ( ) if you have questions. Glenwood Bumper Stickers You may show your Glenwood Pride by displaying our new bumper stickers. Imagine letting people know about our church as you drive around town or across the country. It s simple with the new bumper stickers we have designed. Choose from our tree logo design or the letters like you often see at vacation destinations. They also Or, you can mail your registration (available in the church office) with your check to: EUMA, 1033 E. 26th St., Erie, PA would work well on doors or windows at your home if you don t own a vehicle. Pick them up in the bell room Effective Parenting in a Defective World off the sanctuary. PAGE 6 From the GUMC Family Ministry Team Effective Parenting in a Defective World a six week study by Chip Ingram Join us beginning Sunday, September 20, during the Sunday hour for a special study for parents and grandparents in all types of family configurations. We ll learn how to parent the kids in our lives according to God s principles and God s dreams for them, instead of the world s principles and dreams. The class includes some DVD instruction as well as discussion time. Study books are $8 and will be available before the first class. From the publisher: Raising children is a tough challenge in today's world; especially when they face constant pressure from their peers and culture. Packed with practical advice and Chip Ingram's own experiences, these sessions will give you a vision for your children's future, a new understanding of God's principles for child-rearing and life-changing help for today! Sign up in the bell room or contact Allison Judd at or aajudd11@gmail.com. Memorial Gifts In memory of William Riekert given by: Mrs. Jenny Magoon Mr. Richard Millhouse* In memory of Kay Bojarski given by: Mr. and Mrs. David Seib Dr. and Mrs. James Salmon Mr. and Mrs. Charles Crosby Diana Prindle and KJ Satrum Centerville UM Church Mr. and Mrs. David Schlabach Mr. and Mrs. Phil Kannenberg Mr. Richard Millhouse* Mr. and Mrs. Tom Krahe Ginny Sonnenberg Millie Bojarski Alan and Janice Bojarski Edward Bojarski Marie Tomczak Rich Mando In memory of Bonnie Hilliard given by: Mr. and Mrs. Martin Jaskiewicz Mr. and Mrs. Jim Geronimo Mr. and Mrs. Charles Crosby Mr. and Mrs. George Durst Mrs. Blanche Bowers Mr. and Mrs. Phil Kannenberg * Bereavement Fund PAGE 7