First Connection. First United Methodist Church. August The monthly newsletter of

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1 First Connection The monthly newsletter of First United Methodist Church August 2016 First United Methodist Church 729 Central Avenue Connersville IN Church Phone: (765) Pastor Doug Barton Secretary: Bonnie Schultz Webmaster: Kevin Bastian Church web site:

2 Methodists by Garrison Keillor We make fun of Methodists for their blandness, their excessive calm, their fear of giving offense, their lack of speed, and also for their secret fondness for macaroni and cheese. But nobody sings like them. If you were to ask an audience in New York City, a relatively Methodist-less place, to sing along on the chorus of Michael Row the Boat Ashore, they will look daggers at you as if you had asked them to strip to their underwear. But if you do this among Methodists, they d smile and row that boat ashore and up on the beach! And down the road! Many Methodists are bred from childhood to sing in four-part harmony, a talent that comes from sitting on the lap of someone singing alto or tenor or bass and hearing the harmonic intervals by putting your little head against that person s rib cage. It s natural for Methodists to sing in harmony. We are too modest to be soloists, too worldly to sing in unison. When you re singing in the key of C and you slide into the A7th and D7th chords, all two hundred of you, it s an emotionally fulfilling moment. By our joining in harmony, we somehow promise that we will not forsake each other. I do believe this: People, these Methodists, who love to sing in four-part harmony are the sort of people you can call up when you re in deep distress. If you re dying, they will comfort you. If you are lonely, they ll talk to you. And if you are hungry, they ll give you tuna salad. Methodists believe in prayer, but would practically die if asked to pray out loud. Methodists like to sing, except when confronted with a new hymn or a hymn with more than four stanzas. Methodists believe their pastors will visit them in the hospital, even if they don t notify them that they are there. Methodists usually follow the official liturgy and will feel it is their away of suffering for their sins. Methodists believe in miracles and even expect miracles, especially during their stewardship visitation programs or when passing the plate. Methodists think that the Bible forbids them from crossing the aisle while passing the peace. Methodists drink coffee as if it were the Third Sacrament. Methodists feel guilty for not staying to clean up after their own wedding reception in the Fellowship Hall. Methodists are willing to pay up to one dollar for a meal at the church. Methodists still serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color of the season and think that peas in a tuna casserole adds too much color. Methodists believe that it is OK to poke fun at themselves and never take themselves too seriously. And finally, You know you are a Methodist when: it s 100 degrees, with 90% humidity, and you still have coffee after the service. You hear something funny during the sermon and smile as loudly as you can. Donuts are a line item in the church budget, just like coffee. When you watch a Star Wars movie and they say, May the Force be with you, and you respond, and also with you. And lastly, it takes ten minutes to say good-bye! I Love this and had to share it with you. I would add that the Methodist are loving, kind, and hard-working people who love Jesus. Thank you and keep on being all the above and more. Loving others to Jesus Pastor Doug

3 CHURCH NEWS A Note from your District Superintendent Effective September 1 st, the new Bishop assigned to the Indiana Conference is Bishop Julius Trimble. Bishop Trimble, a native of Chicago, has served local churches in both Illinois and Ohio as a District Superintendent before being chosen to serve as a Bishop. For the last 8 years he has served as Bishop of the Iowa Annual Conference. We invite all United Methodists to attend the Installation Service on Sunday, September 11 th at 4:00pm at St. Luke s UMC, 100 W 86 th Street, Indianapolis. This will be a wonderful celebration of our shared ministry in Indiana. *** Handbell Choir Here is Your Chance!!!! We have a spot in the handbell choir just for YOU! We are in need of another player to take over a spot for this year. Practices are held on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. We will begin practices for this fall on August 16, Please talk to a member of the group or to Rhonda if you have questions or concerns. We would welcome you to our practice time so that you can see what we do. We NEED someone! Rhonda Community Meals We need a family or group to serve the Community Meal on Sunday August 14, 5:00PM, at First Presbyterian Church. If you would like to sign up for this, the signup sheet is at the back of the Sanctuary or you may call the church office at if you need more information. Thank you! ***** CARE PROJECT BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT Monday, August 8 th, Miller Building. Need volunteers to pack school supplies, 10:00 12:00, and volunteers to work the event from 3:00 7:00pm. Contact the church office at for details. Help Us Grow Electronic Giving is a convenient, consistent way to help our church grow. Consider scheduling a recurring electronic contribution today. You won t need to write checks and prepare envelopes every week. And even when you can t attend services, your electronic contributions will arrive without delay. Ask for an authorization form in the church office or visit our website. ***** Women s Bible Women s Bible group meets every Monday at 12:00PM, in the church lounge. For several years we have used the Upper Room for our study guide, but starting the 1 st of September we will be referring to the electronic Wired Word, which is the guide the Sunday morning Bible Study used. We want to encourage the Women from our church to take advantage of this Bible study, especially the ones who attended the Wired Word Bible study on Sunday mornings. Come join us, dress casual, bring your lunch if you so desire and join this group of praying women, discussing and confronting the news with Scripture and Hope. We are looking for more women to join so if you are interested in becoming a part of our Bible Study, please call the office at ** Thank you for all the cards, good wishes, and kind thoughts. Jim Wicker ** IN THE SPIRIT OF GIVING General Date Fund Missions Attend July 03 $ $ July 10 $ $ July 17 $ $ July 24 $ $ July 31 $ $ $ $ Total $18,

4 AUGUST BIRTHDAYS Aug 01 Peg Hancock Aug 05 Myrna Carlson Aug 08 Donna Barton Aug 08 Ann Francis Aug 11 Lois Kenworthy Aug 13 Penny Smith Aug 18 Wanda Frasher Aug 22 Doug Siebert Aug 26 Steve Holmes Aug 30 George Henry AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES... Aug 03 Tom & Ann Francis Aug 07 George & Carol Henry Aug 07 Hilton & Brenda Henry Aug 08 Doug & Gayle Siebert Aug 22 Dick & Jeanna Hushour ***** UP BEAT POEMS BY A BEAT DOWN POET (IN LOVE WITH LIFE) By Shirley Stanley McCoy When a summer breeze caresses you and cools your fevered brow, it s a whispered kiss from Heaven that God s touching you somehow I wonder just how many times in other gentle ways God s Touch is like a whisper and we MISS it-fail to praise Him for the things we take for granted blessings-strewn along our way, Oh! His Touch is soft and loving have you praised Him yet today? United Methodist Women Faith-Hope-Love in Action Susanna Circle: Tuesday, August 16, 1:30PM Hostess Helen Dubois - Lounge Devotions/Program: Sarah Plough Eve Circle: Thursday August 18, 6:30PM Suzy Maines, Hostess, home of Suzy Maines Devotions: Janie O Brien Lesson: Beth Ann Orth UMW District Fall meeting is scheduled for September 17, from 9:00am to 3:00pm, at Gethsemane UMC in Muncie, IN HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN Nothing shows a man s character more than what he laughs at. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Reverend Billy Graham tells of a time early in his ministry when he arrived in a small town to preach a sermon. Wanting to mail a letter, he asked a young boy where the post office was. When the boy had told him, Dr. Graham thanked him and said, If you ll come to church this evening, you can hear me telling everyone how to get to Heaven. I don t think I ll be there, the boy said. You don t even know your way to the post office. ***** 2

5 Thank you Thank you to all who have donated to the Giving Closet. I won t mention names but you know who you are! The closet empties out almost every week but by the generosity of several of you, it always manages to be replenished when needed. This is a very necessary mission so thanks to all you kind and giving people for your support. Bonnie CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRY I would like to thank all that helped to make our Vacation Bible School Glory Bound: Vicki Macke and her crew (Cathy Kirk, Anne Frost, Donna Barton, Bill Macke, Bette Thielking, & Janie O Brien) did an outstanding job preparing meals and snacks for the kids and adults! Jeanna Hushour, Gayle Siebert, Jim Wicker, Bette Thielking, Paul Ridenour, and Brianna Baucom all helped with decorations. Gilda Lewis and Anne Frost kept us toe tapping with their music! Kellee and Amanda (aka Damanda!) Cobb for such fun games. Jan Stanley, Pastor Doug, Linda Jones, Joyce Peak and Bonnie for all their help! United Methodist Women made it all possible by funding Bible School. A big heartfelt thank you! The time to minister to young people is NOW! Trustee Report FUMC Trustees We now have a 6 11 black Yamaha piano in the Sanctuary. It was purchased from BHA Piano Center in Dayton, Ohio and is a one-owner piano that came from a residence where it was very well cared for. Bill Laugheed from Centerville has advised us throughout this process and was quite pleased with the condition and performance of this piano. The piano is on a dolly and can be easily moved on the platform area for more flexibility. The 5 4 Baldwin piano was moved into the chapel alcove area and is a perfect fit there for choir practice on Sunday mornings or other activities in the chapel. We know that there are several details yet to be worked out regarding the location of the piano, chancel choir and bell choir, etc. hopefully, everyone will be patient with Pastor Doug and the music dept. as they work on the upcoming music season as well as special concerts, etc. A dedication service for the piano and the refurbished pipe organ will be planned for later in We would like for the congregation to be aware that the Yamaha piano was purchased through the donations of several generous church members. No church funds or Sefton endowment funds were used for the purchase of the piano. We appreciate the donors, who wish to remain anonymous, for their wonderful gift to Connersville First UMC. 3

6 PRAYER The monthly newsletter and church website list all persons currently on the First Church prayer list. The Sunday worship bulletin lists names that were verbally submitted the previous Sunday, those turned in to the church office the ensuing week, and updates when there is new information. Please provide to the church office updated information concerning persons on the list whenever a change occurs in their circumstances. You are encouraged to keep your own personal prayer log of everyone named in the bulletin and newsletter and pray for these persons daily. Melvin Alston, Kate McCollough s nephew, Crohn s disease Len & Marge Bastian, requests prayer Joe Bottles, health issues Dennis Boughner, cancer returned, pray for recovery Mabel Brockley, doing better, at Arbor Trace Myrna Carlson, treating cancer, needs prayer Wayne Ekstrom, doing better, will transfer to Heritage Michael Faulk, tumor free, Joy! Vera Fields, Brenda Henry s mother, needs prayer Myra Galloway, health issues, needs prayer Barbara Good, cancer Nancy Harrell, cancer returned, pray for healing Ron Hockersmith, at home, needs prayer Lawson s granddaughter, Sarah France, request prayers Suzy Maines mother, nursing home Ralph McClure, new pace maker Kate McCollough s co-worker, injured,doing much better Shirley McCoy, Carolton Manor, doing better Karen Miles, recovering from surgery Michael Moore, waiting to hear results from testing. Opal Moore, cancer Jesse, Gretchen & Jasmine Rae, requests prayer Betty Riebsomer, moved into new apartment, Wants visitors Jan Roth, recovering from cancer surgery Steve Wicker, cancer treatments, needs prayer Vicki Wieand, cancer Joe Wheeler, requests prayer for health issues Prayers for: Fruitful Congregation Journey, All outreach missions, unrest and division in our Country. We extend our sympathy to the families of: Lois Moore Three Library Additions for August Joly and Chaliha (editors), Mother Theresa s Reaching Out in Love; Stories Told by MotherTheresa, Barnes and Noble, NY, Thanks you to Carol Clawson. Nordstrom, Jeanne, Permission to Teach; Personal Odyssey in the Classroom, Tate, Mustang, OK, This book was donated by the author after her United Methodist Women s talk this spring. Wilson, Dorothy Clarke, Granny Brand; Her Story, Christian Herald Books, Chappaqua, New York, Thank you to Phyllis Smith for donating this book. She said she has read it twice. We have two other books by Phyllis Wilson. These books will be on the library desk during August, and in section B after that time. Dick 4

7 AUGUST, 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 WOMEN S BIBLE EVERY MONDAY 12:00 NOON 2 3 ALTRUSA 12:00 4 OFFICE CLOSED COMMUNION SUNDAY OFFICE CLOSED CARE PROJECT (BACK PACKS) PACK SUPPLIES 3-7 DISTRIBUTE BACK PACKS MILLER BUILDING FCJ MEETING 6:30PM TRUSTEE MEETING 6:30PM CLINIC 6:00PM 14 COMMUNITY MEAL OFFICE CLOSED SUSANNA CITCLE 1:30PM LOUNGE MISSIONS MEETING 1:30PM EVE CIRCLE 6:30PM HANDBELL REHEARSAL 5:30PM HANDBELL REHEARSAL 5:30PM OFFICE CLOSED 26 SUMMER SONGFEST 5:00PM ROBERTS PARK HANDBELL REHEARSAL 5:30PM