September First United Methodist Church of Wabash, Indiana THE PASTOR S PAGE

Transcription

1 F I R S T E D I T I O N September 2012 First United Methodist Church of Wabash, Indiana Mission Statement...To provide a loving fellowship that brings about spiritual transformation through worship, prayer, study and action in order to know Christ and to make Him known. Vision Statement...Our passion for God and for people means we will be a church which offers Christ to all and is open to God s leading. 110 N. Cass Street, Wabash, IN THE PASTOR S PAGE It has been a year. As I reflect on the time I have been blessed with being with you as a congregation, I am very thankful for the opportunity to get to know many of you, walk through difficulties with some of you, and learn your congregation and community. I believe God has a great future in store for Wabash First UMC. I also believe there are several challenges. The opportunities are many and varied. This is a congregation that, if it puts it's mind and energy to something, makes things happen. The strengths already in action here include: Quality traditional worship and music. Outreach through community dinners and breakfasts Seniors group outings Those are things to celebrate and keep. Those make this community better. As to the challenges, well, I have mentioned several of those in worship recently: A shift from fund raising to stewardship mentality A welcoming atmosphere so everyone feels embraced A hunger for God's Word in Action A passion for people to know Christ A celebration community where we have fun together A common vision and mission Unity These are things that must be developed for this congregation to thrive. Without these things, Wabash First UMC will survive but, as so many other worshipping communities have in the last decade, fade and become insignificant or nonexistent. Is this congregation willing to do the work to thrive? I am hopeful. I am willing. What will you do to engage a greater purpose for yourself and your church? Shalom, Rev. Kurt Senior Pastor - Rev. Kurt Freeman Minister of Family Life & Outreach - Rev. Heather Olson-Bunnell office.wabfirstumc@cinergymetro.net Phone: (260) FAX: (260)

2 FAMILY MATTERS One of the strengths of First United Methodist Church Wabash is that ministry and care for families is important and a priority. When we say Family we mean all of the following possibilities: 1. Two-parents with children 2. Dual earner families (most common form in two parent families) 3. Families experiencing divorce 4. Single adults (includes widows/widowers, never married) 5. Single parent households (1/3 of children in U.S. live in these households) 6. Remarried families (children can be from both parents individually or from new marriage) 7. Children raised by Grandparents 8. Families caring for aging family members 9. Families who have a member physically or mentally challenged 10. Children or youth being raised by non-related persons 11. Families who have experienced long term unemployment A strong Christian formation ministry for children, youth and adults is at the heart of what we do both Sundays and in weekday classes. We are working hard to expand our options this fall. Free quality childcare for many of our worship experiences and other ministries is a concern we have heard and a commitment we ve made to keep increasing for our families. As we help families Know Christ and Make Him Known (our vision statement), look for new times, places, studies and fellowship for all ages listed in other areas of this newsletter. If you know families without a church home, invite them to join us and bring them with you to worship, study and special events. Let the children come, Pastor Heather Club 345 is a ministry for third, fourth and fifth graders. We meet the second Sunday of each month for lunch and a fun activity. Come join us for a backto-school-kick-off. September 9, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Andrea Schuler THANK YOU Dear Church, Thank you for paying 1/2 of my camp money. I would not have had as much fun without camp. I really appreciate the way you helped my friends and I grow closer to God, others, and each other. Thank You, Rebekah Freeman THANK YOU Thank you for your gift of food for our fund raising hog roast. We were pleased with the end results. The Board of 85 Hope NEWSLETTER DEADLINE The deadline for items to be printed in the First Edition will always be the 15th of the month. Next deadline is September 15 for the October information. Thank You. HARD COPIES OF NEWSLETTER Please feel free to pick up a hard copy of The First Edition on Sunday or during the week at the Welcome Center.

3 THANK YOU Judy and I would like to thank all the people of the congregation for the support we were given during the past years of Genevieve s illness. Especially the Pastors and the wonderful kitchen crew that provided the dinner after Genevieve s funeral service. Ed Cochley & Judy Birkel A DIFFERENT KIND OF CHRISTMAS SIGN UP! Small groups are forming for a congregation wide study on Rev. Mike Slaughter's A Different Kind of Christmas. My goal is 100% of Wabash First UMC participating in a small group or Sunday School class for this study. Sign up this week before or after worship downstairs outside the MAC. The last Sunday in September will be the kick off for the sermon series A Different Kind of Christmas. It will be easier to change traditions and start new ones if ideas are given before November!!! As a part of the plans, there will be small group studies and a sermon series that flows with that study. To celebrate the kick-off, a pitch-in meal is planned where everyone will be asked to bring a Christmas family favorite to share with the rest of the congregation. If your last name begins with: A - E bring side dishes F - J bring salads K - Q bring main dishes R - Z bring desserts Pastor Kurt THANK YOU To: Prayer Shawl Group Ken wants me to thank you for the pretty prayer shawl you gave him. It is comforting to know much love and prayers was put in it. Marcella Hively REMEMBER F.I.S.H. & Kids First and bring canned and/ or dry items you would like to contribute with you on Sunday, September 2. A collection box is in the foyer. The items will be delivered for you during the week. School is back in session and while some youth are excited for the new year, others are ready to extend summer! The new school year is also the beginning of our repainting and furnishing the new youth room. The youth are excited to be in their new room and helping to decide what needs to go in it. To start the school year, we are continuing our Sunday school class series on world religion that was written by a United Methodist elder. This series helps focus on the similarities and differences between Christianity and other major world religions. We have had many generous people volunteer with our youth group, but we still need more people! If you are interested in helping on a Sunday evening from 6-7:30 or would like to volunteer in another capacity, please call me at or me at jmbair07@hotmail.com! Jessi Bair, Youth Leader BOOK remarks The Christian Book Club will resume meeting on September 20 th at the Great Wall Restaurant at 12:30 p.m. We will be discussing the book The Nineteenth Wife by David Ebershoff. This novel weaves together two stories. One is based on historical facts concerning the 19th wife of the Mormon leader Brigham Young and how she exposed the polygamous Mormon beliefs of her time. The second story is a fictional account of the murder of a modern day leader in a polygamous cult in Utah. Remaining books for this year are the best sellers, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (Oct. 18 th ) & Have a Little Faith by popular author, Mitch Albom (Nov. 15 th ). If you have any questions contact Sondra Harrell,

4 A Note From Kids First Our Pre-School program has started off with a blast! We have ten students in our older class and ten in our younger class. We still have three openings in the older class and one in the younger class. Our before and after school program has also gotten off with a smooth start, with ten enrollments. We are very excited to get the new school year started. We would like to thank Marcia Short and Angie Siders for providing cookies and juice for the Pre-School orientation. We are very thankful and blessed by being a ministry of First United Methodist and being able to offer a safe haven to the children of our community. Thank you all for your support and prayers. God Bless, Missie Edwards, Director FUMC PICTORIAL DIRECTORY IS IN THE WORKS! Sign up begins September 9 and will be available online at during the week and at church on Sundays. Watch for bulletin inserts and volunteer to help. Photography dates are: Tuesday, Oct. 9; Wednesday, Oct. 10; Thursday, Oct. 11; & Friday, Oct. 26; from 2:30 to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. More details coming soon. MARK YOUR CALENDAR UMW Peddlers Village Bake Sale & Community Breakfast Saturday, November 3 Please plan to volunteer with help and/or baked goods. National Recovery Month O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don t let me be disgraced. Save me, for you do what is right. Psalm 31:1 NLT Mental Health is something we tend to take for granted until there is a problem. At that time, we wonder where to turn for help. In addition, stigmas are often attached to mental health issues which make us reluctant to seek help and we pretend that everything is just fine. Annually, approximately one-fifth of Americans from all ages, races, religions, or socio-economic backgrounds suffer from some form of mental health issue. There are over 200 forms of mental illness with causes from genetic factors, chemical imbalances, medical conditions, substance abuse, or reactions to life s stressors. What ever the origin, it is important to know that changes in personality, mood, personal habits, and social interaction that are exhibited for a length of time could indicate a possible mental illness. If any symptoms are observed, it is important to be seen by a physician for diagnosis and treatment. We cannot separate our physical, mental, and spiritual health. Only when we seek wholeness through our Creator do we find true joy. Joy or wholeness can only be found at the foot of the cross and the empty tomb. Seek medical help but don t forget to seek spiritual help, too. You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love. My life was preserved by your care. Job1 10:12 NLT September 1-30, 2012 is National Recovery Month. <<< >>> Recovery Month spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover. Linda Gardner

5 TWO NEW CHILDREN S CHOIRS TO BEGIN PRACTICING! All children in grades 2-5 are invited to participate in a new children s choir directed by Susan Vanlandingham. Susan Hunter will be working with the preschool-first grade age children in a Cherub Choir. Both choirs will practice on Wednesday evenings from 6:15-6:45. Practices begin on Wednesday, September 5. COMMUNITY BREAKFAST In the MAC SEPTEMBER 1, :30 A.M. 10:00 A.M. Labor Day Weekend Free Will Donation Proceeds to benefit Kurt & Steph Braun Family SENIOR TRIP Lunch at the Hostess House in Marion. September 21, bus leaves at 11:15 a.m. SIGN UP SHEET AT THE WELCOME CENTER MEN S BIBLE STUDY RESUMES All men are invited to join in beginning Monday, September 10th at 8:00 a.m. The study will be held in the Conference Room. Please come. HEALTHY LIFE, HEALTHY CHURCH CHALLENGE CAUTION: first talk to your Doctor...yada, yada, yada.. Aug Eating What Your Body Needs Challenge: Eat only natural foods with one ingredient for the next 6 weeks. Aug Starve Not the Body or the Soul Challenge: Continue eating only one ingredient food. Add to it a daily dose of God s Word. Sept. 2 - You ve Got to Move it, Move it Challenge: Continue eating only one ingredient food and the daily dose of God s Word. Add a daily time of exercise at an appropriate level. Sept. 9 - Walking With the Lord: By Foot and Feat Challenge: Continue eating only one ingredient food, reading scripture, and exercising at an appropriate level. Add doing one thing a day as a response to the Word you read. Sept Take a Break, Not a Breakdown Challenge: Take a day off to celebrate. Sept Holy Rest Challenge: Once a week, rest and plan an intentional celebration of God, life, and family. GROW PROCLAIM SERVE Leap Off, September 9 Kids wear or carry green and bring stuffed or plastic animal frogs or real ones (in a container with lid!) to worship at 10:00 a.m. We re going to grow our faith by Leaps and Bounds this year with the help of our committed teachers. There are lots of surprises every week You won t want to miss any session...so tell your parents and grandparents to bring you to Church with them and LEAP into Sunday School this year! 2 Thessalonians 1:3 CEB Your faithfulness is growing by leaps and bounds and the love that all of you have for each other is increasing. Pastor Heather MONDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY RESUMES SEPTEMBER 10th AT 10 A.M....those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 41:31) The Bible presents cameos of several of God s people under pressure. Come join the Monday Morning as we learn about Elijah, Moses, Jeremiah, Barnabas, and others in a 12 week study at 10:00 a.m. Men, women, all ages, scholars and students are welcome in the church Conference Room beginning SEPTEMBER 10TH led by Elaine Leach

6 FROM OUR CHURCH TREASURER, Mel Rennaker 2012 FINANCIAL REPORT July 31 Monthly Approved Budget Amount Year-to-Date Percentage $385, $32, $225, % July Year-to-Date Income $21, % $202, % Expenses $25, % $201, % Difference ($4,523.86) $1, GENERAL BUDGET OVERVIEW Beginning Balance Income Expense Ending Balance $39, $202, $201, $41, % 52.11% GENERAL BUDGET INCOME July YTD Income YTD Estimate Annual Est Member Pledges $16, $167, $178, $305, % Member Contribution $ 3, $ 22, $ 19, $34, % Non-Member Contribution $ $ 7, $ 3, $6, % Loose Offering $ $ 2, $ 2, $4, % Sunday School Offering $ $ $ % Checking Interest $ $ $ $ % Upper Room $ 1.00 $ $ $ % Offering Envelopes $ $ $ % Building Use $ $ 1, $ 1, $2, % 2011 Pledge Payment $ - $ $ $ % Extra Gift Contribution $ $ $ 8, $15, % TOTAL $21, $202, $ 215, $368, % GENERAL BUDGET EXPENSES Committee Groups July YTD Expenses Budget Missions $ 3, $ 10, $ 17, % Denomin. Ministries $ 2, $ 22, $ 40, % Personnel $ 14, $101, $ 182, % Council of Ministries $ $ 5, $ 15, % Building & Grounds $ 4, $ 58, $ 123, % Office Operations $ $ 1, $ 4, % Finance & Stewardship $ $ 1, $ 2, % TOTAL $ 25, $204, $385, % NON-BUDGET July MISSIONS Year-to-Date UMCOR - US Disaster Relief $ $ 1, Blessings Backpack $ $ 2,680.00

7 September 2012 A = WEDDING ANNIVERSARY B = BIRTHDAY Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 B-Stephen Delong 2 A-Bob & Susan Beckett B-Kristyn Ford B-Millie Higgins B-Matt McClatchey B-Annabelle Smith B-Luann Vandegrift 3 A-Terry & Susan Stewart B-Kinzie Flack B-Sharon Jones 4 A-Bill & Ellen Gamble B-Christy Cross B-Kate Mitting B-Julia Simpson 5 B-Mary Ellen Clark B-Brady Evans B-Linda Gardner 6 B-Mike Reed 7 8 B-Linda Konkle 9 B-John McLaughlin B-Mona Rees 10 B-Micah Siders 11 B-Dennis McFarland 12 A-Jerry & Myra Perkins A-Ned & Luann Vandegrift B-Kory Fuller B-Dylan Gunderman B-Mary Keppel B-Erik Short 13 A-James & Amy Flack 14 B-Chuck Leach 15 A-Larry & Anne Curless B-Paycen Stackhouse 16 A-Phil & Susan Keefer B-Wes Wingert B-Debbie Cusack 17 B-Martha Purdy B-Jarred Short 18 A-Wayne & Mona Rees B-Jeff Galley B-Brandon McKillip B-Deena Young A-Gary & Debbie Bryant A-John & Harriet Mclaughlin 21 B-Bob Gillespie 22 A-Dee & Sue Byerly A-Arlie & Pat Cassiday A-Chris & Angie Siders B-Tristan Hoffman B-Angel Hostetler B-Leeah Palmer B-Katy Smith 23 B-Terry Keaffaber B-John Schuler B-Bob Wade B-Cydnee Bradley 26 B-J.P. Corcoran B-Anne Curless 27 B-Nancy Plummer 28 A-Stephen & Carol Delong B-Barb Brown 29 B-Jerry Perkins 30

8 NEW CHURCH OFFICE HOURS BEGIN September 4th Monday thru Thursday 8am-noon 1-3pm Church Office closed on Friday September 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 7:30 am- Community Breakfast (MAC) 2 14th Sunday after Pentecost (white) Communion Sunday Item collection day for Kids First & F.I.S.H. 6pm-Youth Fellowship 9 15th Sunday after Pentecost (green Sign Up begins for Pictorial Directory 11:30 am-club 345 6pm-Youth Fellowship 16 16th Sunday after Pentecost (green) 6pm-Youth Fellowship 23 17th Sunday after Pentecost (green) 6pm-Youth Fellowship 30 18th Sunday after Pentecost (green 11:30a.m. - Pitch In Lunch, Kick Off for A Different Kind of Christmas series 6pm-Youth Fellowship 3 Labor Day Kids First Child Care & Church Office closed 10 8am-Men s 10am- 6pm-Cub Scout Pack Mtg. (MAC) 6:15 pm-pastor's 7pm-Boy Scouts 17 8am-Men s 10am- 5pm-Teen Moms (gathering room & nursery) 6:15 pm-pastor's 7pm-Boy Scouts (Scout Rm) 24 8am-Men s 10am- 6:15 pm-pastor's 7pm-Boy Scouts 4 7am-Walk With 5 4:15 pm-all Staff Mtg. 6:30 pm-trustees 6:15pm-Children s 6:30 pm-worship Choir Practice Committee 6:30pm-AA 7:30 pm-lay (Fireplace Room) Leadership 7:15 PM-Chancel Choir 11 7am-Walk With 12 6:15pm- Children s Choir Practice 6pm-Cub Scout Den 6:30pm-AA Meeting (Fireplace Room) 7pm-Parsonage 7:15pm-Chancel Choir 18 7am-Walk With 12pm-Red Cross Blood Drive (MAC) 12:30pm-Christian Book Club (Great Wall) 6:30 pm-finance Committee 6:30pm-Missions Committee 6:30 pm-kids First Committee 7:30 pm- Administrative Council 25 7am-Walk With 6pm-Scout Den Meeting 7pm-Parsonage 19 6:15pm- Children s Choir Practice 6:30pm-AA (Fireplace Room) 7:15 pm-chancel Choir 26 6:15pm- Children s Choir Practice 6:30pm-AA (Fireplace Room) 7:15pm-Chancel Choir 6 7am-Walk With am-Walk With NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 9am-Margaret Wilson Circle (Byerly) 7:15om-Doris Blake Circle (Gamble) 20 7am-Walk With am-Walk With Decorate for Wedding Reception Wedding Reception (MAC) SUNDAY SCHEDULE 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. Worship Service 8:15 a.m. Beth Moore Study for Adults 9:00 a.m. Teen & Adult Sunday School Children s Breakfast Club & Activities 10:15 a.m. Sunday School for Pre-school thru 5th Grade following Children s Message (except for first Sunday each month)