Fellowship Lantern. Volume 59, Issue 8 May 2016

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1 Fellowship Lantern Volume 59, Issue 8 May 2016 Do you wish you could fly like Superman? Perhaps swing through the grocery store like Spiderman? Maybe you d like to move as stealthily as Catwoman or be able to work make people tell the complete truth like Wonder Woman. I recently attended a retreat where I was encouraged to think about what superpower I d like to have I chose talking to whales and dolphins, like Aquaman. Of course, the retreat was also more practical than thinking about how we all could be more like comic book superheroes. In fact, we were encouraged to identify particular strengths we bring to our work, family, and community life and what steps we might take to share these gifts as widely and as effectively as we can. Lively conversation flowed as folks shared their experiences of their talents and ways of doing things, that they thought were completely ordinary, ended up making a tremendous difference in someone else s life or how the skills and insights of someone else opened up new possibilities for them. We also talked about how together our talents and insights fill in the gaps of each other as individuals and allow even greater things to be accomplished, much as all the various skills and trades in construction all work together to complete absolutely massive projects like stadiums and arenas that could never be accomplished by an individual working alone. To promote Christian discipleship and fellowship in the congregation and community Published by.the FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF Wayne-Westland Pastor Carter Cortelyou 3 Town Square Wayne, MI Telephone In the church, we understand spiritual gifts in much the same way. In First Corinthians, Paul speaks of how the church is made up of individuals to whom God has given gifts for building up the faith of others and enriching the life of the church. Everyone, YES EVERYONE, has been gifted by God in some way. The effect of these gifts, when we share them together freely as God intended, will draw us closer to one another and to God, strengthen Christ s church, make God s love more visible through us. Of course, I still think it would be wonderful to call the whales and dolphins the next time I get to the ocean, and I could definitely enjoy being a better swimmer. But in truth, if I can be a better follower of Jesus, and help other draw nearer to God by sharing the gifts God has given me, then that would be even better in the long run. Yours, Pastor Carter

2 PRAYING SCRIPTURE It is the belief of many Christian leaders that praying and studying God s word are the two most important things we can do as Christians. Yet all too often we try to separate them. Spending private time with God in personal prayer should be a pleasant and rewarding experience. Yet, it seems that sometimes we get bogged down with our long prayer lists and praying can become boring and frustrating. I have experienced that in my own prayer life and have had others share the same frustrations. Praying scripture is not only a good way to liven up your prayer life but is also a good way to study the scriptures. There are many methods that people use to read the Bible. Some just read from the beginning to the end, some follow the schedule of a devotional guide, some choose a certain book of the Bible to read, and there are other ways to schedule your reading. What ever method you use, praying the scriptures can be adapted to it. For the beginner probably the simplest way is to read a familiar passage, read a phrase or verse, meditate on it for a moment. Then talk to God about it, it s His word. Listen and try to understand what it might mean to you personally or how can you apply it to your life. As you read and pray over a passage of scripture, you may experience an emotion such as joy, repentance, grief or love which may be God speaking to you. If there is something that is beyond your understanding you might use a commentary for help. As you pray the scriptures you may not always find it to be a joyful experience but you may find pain or grief as you encounter God and he may be convicting you or challenging you to confession or change or to action concerning something in your life. It could be that God is trying to take you to a new level in your faith journey with Him. Also, the Bible is full of prayers that have been written by inspired people of God. Though we have been taught that praying is simply talking to God there is nothing wrong in using the prayers of others when they fit our needs. Where could we find a greater resource of prayers? One of my favorite passages is Isaiah 26:3 (KJV) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. I find that sometimes when I feel kind of bewildered and down, and I wonder where God is, that verse comes to mind and I realize that God is always there and I am the one who has been missing. Another favorite prayer is Psalm 51:1-13, David s prayer of confession. Surely as you practice praying scriptures you will find it to be rewarding and helpful to your faith journey with God. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy! Philip. 1:4 Red Miller

3 Coffee Hour May 1 May 8 May 15 May 22 May 29 Red & Anita Miller (Celebrating their birthdays) Choir Carter & Andrea Cortelyou (In honor of nieces & nephew) Vacant Vacant May 1 May 8 May 15 May 22 May 29 Altar Flowers Red & Anita s Birthday Shirleen Curtis (In honor of Grand & Great Grandchildren) Vacant Donna Westby, Nola Soper & Dean Reichard (Thank you for the shower of cards for our mom s (Pauline Reichard 90 th birthday) Bob & Carol Simons in memory of George & Gertrude Srock (Parents)

4 May Birthdays: May 1 st May2nd May 3rd May 5th May11th May 17th May 20 th May 22 nd May 23 rd May 26 th May 28 th May 29 th May 31 st Spencer Ross Pat Samland Karen Gidley Jim Samples Red Miller Maxine Bondie Chris Shelly Tim Bailey Julian Jacques Irene F. Schoonover Sarah Jennings Robert Jackson Veora Schultz Marlene Crow Greg Lewis HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MAY 29 TH GORDON AND MARY ANN POWELL

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6 UNITED METHODIST WOMEN MAY, 2016 EXECUTIVE MEETING MAY 4, :30 pm Parlor Circles CHARIS CIRCLE ESTHER/MARTHA CIRCLE Monday, May 2, :00 p.m. Parlor Leader: Shirleen Curtis Discussion of: 2 John Truth and Love 3 John Opening Our Hearts and Home Come grow with us in God s Word. Tuesday, May 10, :00 p.m.parlor Leader: Lucille Farmer Topic: History of Mother s Day LYDIA CIRCLE Thursday, May 12, :00 a.m. Parlor Leader: Linda Maylone Project: Working on the Blessing Bags ********************************************************** GIRL S NIGHT OUT (formerly known as mother/daughter banquet) Program: Loving All of God s Creatures Presented by : Last Day Dog Rescue If you wish to help bring a small gift such as dog food, cat food, cat litter, dog and cat toys, etc. Adults $11.00 Children (5 12) $5.50 Children under 5 free Tickets on sale April 17, 24 and May 1 Dinner 6:30 Gathering 6:00 **********************************************************Coming up: May 19, 20 & 21 Rummage Sale and Bake Sale Start going through your things and bring them in to the basement. Bake Sale Items due by 4:00 p.m. May 18

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9 UMCOR and the Flint Water Crisis Unless you don t own a television or a radio, you have probably read or heard about the water problems in Flint. I am sure many of you want to help, but the logistics of transporting cases and cases of water can be a little overwhelming. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (known as UMCOR) is working with the Crossroads District in Flint to provide relief. In addition to providing bottled water, they are also working on a longer term solution. Namely, they need funds to purchase filtration pitchers and replacement filters. The Witness and Outreach Committee was looking for a way to help our Flint neighbors. Once we found this UMCOR Advance, we chose to support this effort. For the months of May, June and July, you can drop your spare change into the collection pail during the first hymn. At the end of the three months, we will send our donation to UMCOR. We are also going to include Vacation Bible School participants in the spare change initiative. I have tried to imagine what it would be like to have orangish, brackish water coming out of my faucet. Yuck! Yet our bodies must have water to survive. Let s rally together and help our Flint neighbors get back to health with clean water. Linda Maylone Witness and Outreach Committee

10 Spare Your Change to Make a Change for Flint! Peace with Justice What s it all About? On May 8, our congregation has the opportunity to support one of the six United Methodist Special Sunday offerings. The Peace with Justice Sunday supports programs that advocate peace and justice at home and around the world. John Wesley, founder of the Methodist church, believed that peacemakers were people who doth good unto all by showing God s love to neighbors and strangers, friends and enemies. Here today in 2016, the need for peace with justice in our world is very evident. Just think of wars, poverty, human trafficking victims, domestic violence victims-the list could go on and on-and you realize immediately that this is a very worthy cause. How is the money allocated? Our Annual conference will keep half the offering to fund local peace with justice programs. The other half goes to the General Board of Church and Society to help fund U.S. and global work in social action, public policy education and advocacy. Additionally, Church and Society award grants to peace with justice ministries around the world. The United Methodist Women are purchasing a new Peace Pole. It will be installed in the pretty landscaping near the church office. As people come into our church from the north entrance, they will see that we are a church that prays May Peace Prevail on Earth. If this is a ministry that touches your heart, just place your donation in the soup pot. Just think about how our contribution adds in with so many other churches, and how a little can become a lot. I pray with all of you for Peace with Justice in our homes, our church, our nation and our world. Linda Maylone Witness and Outreach Committee

11 DETROIT RENAISSANCE DISTRICT UNITED METHODIST WOMEN 2016 INGATHERING PROJECT The United Methodist Women will be collecting items for Michigan Veterans Foundation. The foundations mission is help homeless veterans to regain their stability and return to self-sufficiency. The Foundation provides transitional housing, food pantry, employment, training, job opportunities, health care services, meals, clothing and support groups among other services. Mr. Tyrone Chatman, Executive Director, of the Foundation will be at our church on June 12 th to explain how they serve these veterans who want to help themselves. Wish List Socks and under ware (new) All the following clothing items can be new or gently used. Shirts, Tee shirts, Sweat shirts, Pants, Sweaters, Coats, Jackets, Baseball caps. Hygiene items: Soap, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Shaving items, shampoo, Deodorant etc. Non-perishable Food items. The deadline for collecting these donations will be September 18 th. There will be a box in Fellowship Hall to place your donations in. Any questions see Jan Podgers. All members of the church are invited to participate. HEBREW 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased

12 The Free Library is a way to connect to the community through providing reading opportunities to all age groups. The library is stocked with books for anybody to borrow - or they can even donate a book for others to read. The Library is located on the south-west corner by the old building.

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14 FELLOWSHIP LANTERN REV. CARTER CORTELYOU PASTOR is published monthly except August GALE WILBUR EDITOR DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES Is the 15 th of the month address for the lantern is Visit us on the web at Mission Statement We are the Congregation of First United Methodist Church of Wayne-Westland and are a committed, loving, Christian community of Jesus Christ, in ministry, witnessing to the love of God as experienced in our lives, and expressed by: worship together, Christian nurture, education evangelism, Christian fellowship and support of one another, invitation to others to share our faith, social awareness, involvement and support of worldwide Methodism. Our witness embraces all people. First United Methodist Church 3 Town Square Wayne, MI SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 10:00 A.M. ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL AT 9:00 A.M. CHILDREN S SUNDAY SCHOOL 10:00 A.M.