First United Methodist Church November lindstrommethodist.org

Transcription

1 First United Methodist Church November 2016 Mission Focus this month is Operation Christmas Child Good News. Great Joy. For over 20 years, Samaritan s Purse has delivered shoebox gifts packed by caring people like you to hurting children around the world. Every shoebox offers an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with a hurting child. states Franklin Graham, President, Samaritan s Purse. Ways you can get involved! PACK A GIFT & PRAY. A shoebox filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies tangibly demonstrates God s love to a child in need. Remember to pray that God will touch the heart of every child who receives a shoebox gift, and that many children and families will come to faith in Jesus Christ. GIVE. A donation of just $7 per box makes it possible for Operation Christmas Child to deliver each gift that you pack to a child thousands of miles away. VOLUNTEER. Explore volunteer opportunities ranging from short-term service during National Collection Week here at FUMC or sign up at the Processing Center, to seasonal or year-round leadership as a group project leader or Area Team Leader. Church Conference Nov. 15 November 15, 8:00 PM, there will be a brief Church Conference. The purpose of the Conference will be the setting of pastoral compensation, election of officers, caring for membership issues, and the affirming of lay speakers. DISCIPLE. Your gift can help give a child the opportunity to enroll in The Greatest Journey follow-up discipleship program that teaches children about salvation through Jesus Christ. Just $6 can provide a child with a 12-lesson Bible program and New Testament. Please join Samaritan s Purse in spreading good news of great joy (Luke 2:10) to children across the globe! First UMC Packing Party: Wednesday, November 9 Join us from 6:30-8:00pm as we pack shoeboxes! Thank you for being one of the 500,000 volunteers used in this ministry! For further information contact Kari Caldwell at jkcaldwell@frontiernet.net Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service November 23, 7:00 p.m. followed by a time of fellowship. Inside this issue: From the pastor... 2 Children s Shop Day Prayers & Birthdays Dates to remember: Nov. 6, 2:00a.m. Daylight Saving Time ends Nov. 15 Church Conference Nov. 19 Children s Shop Day Nov. 20 Mission Sunday Nov. 23 Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service Nov. 24 Thanksgiving 2 3 Thank You! 3 Cradle Rocking 4 Sermon Series 4 Council Minutes 5

2 From the pastor... Ah, yes. We are coming to my favorite time of year. Thanksgiving. Then comes Advent. Followed by Christmas. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, the beginning of chapter three, Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is not troublesome to me, and for you it is a safeguard. Paul said he was writing the same things to the Philippians. So there are those who think Paul wrote one letter to this. That letter was lost. So he wrote a second letter. In the second letter he wrote the same things he had written in the first letter. It was not a bother for him to have to do so. I think something else. All through Philippians, Paul writes about joy and rejoicing. He rejoices. He encourages the Philippians to rejoice. In chapter four he writes, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. He says it once and states he will say it again. So when Paul talks about writing the same things, he is merely stating that he knows he is repeating himself. Rejoice to write the same things is not troublesome Rejoice, I will say it again, rejoice. Rejoicing is what he wants his readers to do and do always. And then I notice that he says that writing the same things is not a bother, and it is a safeguard for his readers. A safeguard. Paul also writes in the fifth chapter of First Thessalonians, Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Give thanks in all circumstances. Now there is a challenge. There are many circumstances in which it is difficult to give thanks. But note Paul does not say we give thanks for all things but in all things. You see, when we give thanks, no matter the circumstance, we are looking up; we are focused on God. Maybe this is why Paul says that rejoicing always and giving thanks is a safeguard for us. By continually rejoicing and giving thanks, we are continually focused on God. Yes. That is a safeguard. So often when facing some challenge or difficulty, we are told to keep our chin up; we are encouraged to keep looking up. Yes there is safety and strength in that. Look up, and keep focused on God. Our country sets aside one day and calls it Thanksgiving Day. But we rejoice always. We give thanks in all circumstances. Grace and Peace, Pastor Dan CHILDREN S SHOP DAY November 19, am-1pm Children ages through 6 th grade shop for mom, dad and grandparents. All gifts are $1 and include free gift wrap! Parents are treated with coffee and cookies while they wait for their little shoppers to finish. All gifts are new/gently used items from the community and friends of First United Methodist Church. Visit us at Irene Ave Lindstrom Living Nativity to be held Dec. 17 Living Nativity is fast approaching. Sat., Dec. 17, with shows at 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, and 7:30. We need many people to put on this event - Gabrielle, 3 kings, shepherds, angels, parking lot attendants, hosts for inside, etc. Prayer and cash donations are also needed. There is room for YOU! Please see Kay Oien or Cindy Kopp with questions and to volunteer. Next meeting, Monday, Nov. 14, 7:15. 2

3 Birthdays! Prayer Requests from the bulletin: Cole Anderson; Doris Brand; Steve Hernick; Jim McDermott; David Heldt; Isaac Mitchell; Britt, Kelvin & Baby; Roxy Bahn; Pam Fossum and family; Bruce and Pauline Heilig & family Our Confirmands Blessings to these three young people who professed their faith in Jesus Christ October 2: Kaitlyn Nelson Tyler Nelson Kyle Sparby YOUTH MINISTRY Fall for Jesus He is truly un-be-leaf-able Grace, Cheryl and Scott Lecy Nursery We are pleased to be able to provide a Nursery during the worship service. It is designed for infants through 2 years. Children are always welcome in the worship service. Babe Anderson.November 1 Caleb Anderson.November 2 Laura Tomczak.November 2 Paul Brohaugh.November 6 Rebecca Keller.November 7 Taylor Thorvaldson.November 8 Paige Leadholm.November 10 Jim Buelow.November 11 Chris Hernick.November 12 Amelia Anderson.November 13 Asaph Brohaugh.November 14 Ralph Bates.November 16 Roslyn Hess.November 19 Emelie Caldwell.November 22 Anna Youngquist.November 24 Elizabeth Leadholm.November 28 Marilee Fredrickson.November 29 Dana William Turman.November 30 Happy Birthday! Thank you for helping! Thanks to those who participated in Adopt-A- Highway Cleanup October 1~ Nancy Grossmann Patsy Berglund Dick Berglund Marvin Hultquist Ed Oswald Tina Sparby Kyle Sparby Gary Gerke Lois Anderson, coordinator Purchased something for the? To get an accurate count of giving to the, please let us know if you have purchased something for the but have not asked for reimbursement. We will list that purchase on your giving statement as a "gift-in-kind" so it will show on your contribution statement and the knows how much is being given. We'd like this information for 2016 and ongoing. If you have any questions, please contact Linda Ploog

4 Unidos en Cristo weekends Experience New Testament Christianity Unidos en Cristo (formally Cursillo) is a 3-day learning, sharing and inspirational experience of living in a Christian community. During the three days of a week-end, a person experiences authentic Christian fellowship and the joy of being part of a genuine Christian community #283 Men s: February #284 Women s: February Held at Faith Covenant, Burnsville If you would like to participate in an Unidos en Cristo weekend or would like more information, please contact Scott or Cheryl Lecy, Prison Ministry...if you re interested in Charis Prison Ministry, please contact Jim or Connie Buelow, Our General Fund Budget for 2016 is $188,147. which becomes $15,679 per month. General Fund giving for September was $11,134. Thank you for your support of our ministries! Worship Attendance in October October October October October Newsletter sent before October 30 Cradle Rocking held October 9 Two babies were rocked by our children Sunday, October 9 during our annual Swedish Cradle Rocking Service. Jade Lydia Johnson Born May 31, 2016 Daughter of Becka and Tom Johnson Granddaughter of Boni and Craig Stockel Tenley and Dave Johnson Lena Iris Sivertson Born September 17, 2015 Daughter of Krista and Joe Sivertson Granddaughter of Kay and Greg Oien Connie and Dirk Lutz Blessings! Advent Sermon Series As you know, one of my favorite Christmas movies is A Christmas Story. Many of you are familiar with it. It is the story of a nine-year-old boy, Ralphie, who wants nothing more than a Red Ryder BB Gun. He tries to come up with ways to drop hints that this is the gift he wants. Along the way it seems all he hears is, You ll shoot your eye out. Anyway on Christmas morning, Ralphie and his brother Randy are opening their gifts. And there is one very brief scene where they are sitting side by side. They each open a gift. The gift they each open is a pair of socks. They look at each other, shrug their shoulders, and then toss the socks behind them. November 27 is the first Sunday in Advent. We have a theme. This theme is not original with me. I admit I borrowed it. It is kind of goofy. Socks and Underwear will be our theme. What in the world does that mean? Think of it this way: think of the gift nobody seems to want, but everybody needs. Of course, we will be talking about Jesus during Advent. We always talk about Jesus here. But it seems so many people keep Jesus at arm s length. In Jesus, God came to be near to us, but people push him away. Everyone needs Jesus. Jesus, the gift some don t want and some don t hope for, but everybody needs. That s what we ll be talking about. You ll be hearing more about this, and also hearing of a possible mission project we may do for the local women s shelter. Pastor Dan 4

5 Church Council Minutes October 18, 2016 Present: Kay Oien, Mark Vanderwerf, Scott Lecy, Nancy Grossmann, Pastor Dan Doughty, Terry Keesee, Juanita Morgan, Erin Thorvaldson, Marna Gerke Meeting opened with prayer Old Business Name tags - Initial use of name tags will be of the stick on disposal variety, beginning the first Sunday in November which is a communion Sunday. Committee Reports Adult Ministry - Bible study of Revelation continues to be well attended; the first two sessions have been video taped and are available on the 's website. Children's Ministry - Three classrooms are in use, with the largest class being the 3 and 4 year olds. The Fall Festival will be held 10/28; among the activities will be a chili cook-off and a children's dance. Three third graders will be receiving Bibles and a dedication of Sunday School 10/30 taking place. Finance - Has been challenging. We have averaged about 11K per month since May, whereas the budget is 15K per month. Hopefully October will be a catch up month, as about 3K more per month is being spent versus what is being taken in will also bring compensations issues as SPRC addresses compensation increases for pastor, secretary and custodian, all who have had no increases for several years. Thus far we are still managing to do a portion of our apportionment. Stewardship Sunday is 10/30 - also at which time our new children's bell choir will perform. Foundation - No report Hospitality - Thanksgiving Eve treats being served Lay Leader - No report Missions - Brush With Kindness - Trinity is serving a fundraising breakfast this coming Sunday, 10/23. Nomads - in September received $655. Feed My Starving Children in August received $438. October's focus is WYAM. Christmas Salvation Army bell ringing, the first Saturday in December, will be done at Brinks Market this year, given the closing of Lindstrom Foods. Discussion regarding the free will offering for the Monday Community Dinners. A First United Methodist check representing donations will be issued quarterly. Pastor - Next Council meeting will be preceded by Church Conference with four issues to be addressed: pastor compensation budget, nominations, inactive/unresponsive members, lay speaker. A Thanksgiving Eve service is being held at our, 7PM, with dessert following. Advent begins the Sunday after Thanksgiving; decoration will take place 12/1; 12/4 Doughty open house; 12/5 our will host a Service of Remembrance. Publicity & Social Media - Facebook popularity continues to grow, with 1284 visits. SPRC - Meeting to address employee salaries to be held early November. Trustees - Drain problems for the dishwasher have been addressed, with a plumber visit having been needed. Accurate cemetery mapping is in progress to clearly identify all plots. Operating dollars for the cemetery are an ongoing issue and need to be addressed. Shelving for the storeroom is ready for installation, but initially all items being stored by all groups must be sorted and removed from the floor. Garage storage also needs to be assessed. Worship Design - Thanksgiving Eve service. "The gift we don't want but the gift we need" - please plan to bring packaged/new underwear and socks for a special tree. These are items sorely needed at shelters and will be donated. Deadline will be Sunday before Christmas. We will be having on Christmas Day as well as our annual Christmas community dinner. Youth Ministry - Club Rock numbers are down. Middle school "BLAST" has 3 or 4 attending per week. Special Groups Hope Circle - No report Women's Bible Study - No report Adult Bible Study - Continues to be well attended Special Events/Projects ABWK - Fund raising breakfast at Trinity 10/22. Projects for the year have been completed. Highway Cleanup - Held 10/1, with Lois providing treats Upcoming - Living Nativity to be held 12/17, with first meeting Tuesday, 10/25, 6:30PM. Closing Prayer Next meeting November 15, 8PM, Church Conference precedes Council Minutes submitted by Marna Gerke 5

6 Meals on Wheels Deliverers Nov. 1 Ron & Juanita Morgan Nov. 2 Gary Gerke Nov. 3 Michelle Gillespie Nov. 4 Greg McCarthy Nov. 7 Joe Rystrom Nov. 8 Carroll Keller & Grace Schmidt Nov. 9 Larry & Shirley Knopf Nov. 10 Bonnie Vastka Nov. 11 Jim & Joyce Stafki Nov. 14 George Hultman Nov. 15 Cindy Kopp Nov. 16 Lois Anderson & Marna Gerke Nov. 17 Donn & Sharlene Arnold Nov. 18 Dick Berglund & Wally Ostlie Nov. 21 Marvin Hultquist Nov. 22 Jan Gravelle & Diana Westrum Nov. 23 Jack & Sandy Danielson Nov. 24 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY Nov. 25 Harold & Jan Lovaas Nov. 28 Georgia Burg Nov. 29 Phil & Joan DeMunck Nov. 30 Jim & Joyce Stafki Meals on Wheels Co-Coordinators: Carroll Keller, Juanita Morgan, Tech Ministries Schedule Nov. 6 Sound: Scott Lecy Accompanist: Sue Hanvey Nov. 13 Sound: Bruce Larsen Accompanist: Kay Oien Nov. 20 Sound: Craig Stockel Accompanist: Sue Hanvey Nov. 27 Sound: NEEDED Accompanist: Kay Oien Hope Circle meeting... Hope Circle will be meeting Thursday, Nov. 10 at 9:30 a.m. All women of the are invited! Prayer Chain If you would like a request for prayer to go out on our Prayer Chain, please call Connie Buelow, , or Lois Anderson, , or the office, Would you like to be a part of the Prayer Chain? Please call the office for more information. Can we be of help? Church Office Hours: Monday Friday, 8:00 a.m. 2:30 p.m. Pastor Dan is available to help you with your spiritual journey and the door is open most mornings. Please give us a call at if we can be of help to you in any way. Church address: firstmethodist@usfamily.net Pastor Dan s address: dan.d@usfamily.net Printed Sunday Messages available Pastor Dan s Sunday messages are printed each week following the Sundays on which they have been delivered. You may pick up a printed copy in the foyer. Please contact the office, , if you d like a copy of a previous message not available in the foyer. You can also read previous Sunday messages online at

7 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Office Hours Monday Friday 8:00a 2:30p 1 2 5p Family Dinner 5:30p Children s Bells 6p Adult Bible Study 3 4 2:30p Club Rock 5 6 9:00a Worship/ Sunday School 10:15a Fellowship 7 6:15p Bell Choir 8 9 5p Family Dinner 5:30p Children s Bells 6p Adult Bible Study 10 9:30a Hope Circle p Fellowship Hall Used Daylight Saving Time ends ***Carol Schmidt on vacation Nov. 7-10*** 13 9:00a Worship/ Sunday School 10:15a Fellowship 14 6:15p Bell Choir 7:15p Living Nativity Planning Meeting 15 7p Trustees 7p Finance 8p Church Conference/ Church Council 16 5p Family Dinner 5:30p Children s Bells 6p Adult Bible Study :30p Club Rock 19 10a 1p Children s Shop Day Newsletter deadline 20 9:00a Worship/ Sunday School 10:15a Fellowship 21 6:15p Bell Choir 6:30p A Brush With Kindness Thanksgiving Eve 7p Worship Service 24 Thanksgiving! Office Closed 25 Office Closed 26 Mission Sunday~ Operation Christmas Child 27 9:00a Worship/ Sunday School 10:15a Fellowship 28 6:15p Bell Choir p Family Dinner 5:30p Children s Bells 6p Adult Bible Study 31

8 First United Methodist Church Irene Ave. P.O. Box 688 Lindstrom, MN (651) 257*4306 Fax (651) 257*8039 Address Service Requested Contains dated material November 2016 Sent with a prayer to: First United Methodist Church Pastor Dan Doughty Practicing Grace Until We Are Perfected In Love The Grace Courier is a monthly publication of First United Methodist Church. Deadline: the third Tuesday of each month for inclusion in the next month s publication. Articles received after this date will not be printed. Place articles in the secretary s mailbox, on the desk in the office or them to the. The editor reserves the right to edit any material submitted for publication. We welcome you to worship with us! Worship 9:00 a.m. Children leave for Sunday School during Worship Coffee fellowship 10:15 a.m. Wednesday Evening Activities: 5:00p Family Dinner 5:30p Children s Bell Choir 6:00p Adult Bible Study Our Ministry Team: Pastor Dan Doughty (dan.d@usfamily.net) Administrative Secretary / Treasurer... Carol Schmidt Children s Coordinator... Laurie Doughty Youth Coordinators Scott & Cheryl Lecy Choir Director Kay Oien Worship Team Leader Beth Lunsford Church Council Chairperson Terry Keesee Finance Chairperson Scott Lecy Financial Secretary... Linda Ploog Lay Leader Craig Stockel Lay Member to Annual Conference Kay Oien Mission Chairperson Nancy Grossmann Staff/Parish Relations Chairperson Jim Caldwell Trustees Chairperson Lloyd Jones Custodian Cheryl Hultquist Office firstmethodist@usfamily.net Web site: