Let us grow in the grace of humility together

Transcription

1 Let us grow in the grace of humility together I read a book called Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero. In it he shared St. Benedict s steps to humility. Humility is the willingness to be known for who we are. Becoming emotionally mature in Christ takes effort and practice. In the 6th century St. Benedict created 8 steps to grow in the grace of humility.. His goal was to cultivate perfect love and transformation of a person s life. St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility Step #8 - Transformation into the Love of God (Deut 6:5)- Here, there is no haughtiness no sarcasm, no put downs, no airs of importance. We are able to embrace our limits and those of others. We are fully aware of how fragile we are and are under no illusions. We are at home with ourselves and content to rely on the mercy of God. Everything is a gift. Step #7 - Speaking Less (Psalms 46:10 )- This is near the top of the ladder, because it is seen as the outcome of a life that seeks God and is filled with wisdom. As a the Rule of St. Benedict states: The wise are known for their few words. Step #6 - Deeply Aware of Being "Chief of All Sinners" (Isaiah 64:6)- We see ourselves as potentially weaker and more sinful than anyone around us. We are the chief of all sinners. This is not self-hate or an invitation to abuse, but is meant to make us kind and gentle. Step #5 - Radical Honesty to Others About Your Weaknesses/Faults (James 5:16) -We quit pretending to be something we are not. We admit our weaknesses and limitations to a friend, spouse, parent, or someone else who cares about our development. Step #4 - Patience to Accept the Difficulty of Others (1 Thess 5:14) -Life with others, especially when living in community, is full of aggravations. This requires we give

2 others a chance to figure out their weakness in their own way in their own time. Step #3 - Willing to Subject Ourselves to the Direction of Others (Heb 13:17) -We are free to give up our arrogance and all=powerfulness and are open to accepting God s will as it comes through others. This may be a manager at work, or directions from a friend. And we do it without grumbling or an attitude. Step #2 - Doing God's Will (Not Your Own or Other People's) (2 Cor 5:9) -We recognize that surrendering our self-will to God s will for our lives touches the very heart of spiritual transformation. Step #1 - Fear of God and Mindfulness of Him (Ecc 12:13) -We often forget the presence of God, acting as if He were not present. Let us look to God together that we may grow in His grace together. God s Blessings and Peace is my prayer for you Pastor Monique Turner Nurture November Birthdays 11/01 Dorothy Miller 11/06 Melissa Heinz 11/09 Kenny Collison 11/12 Harvey Farrand 11/12 John Ruple Sr 11/14 Sandra Buckley 11/15 John Cammin 11/17 Jay Beelman 11/21 Rebecca Sundquist 11/27 Jesse Abesamis 11/28 Cory Sundquist 11/30 Glenna Sheets November Anniversaries 11/02 Larry and Lois Arthur 11/04 David and Judy O Dell 11/23 Jim and Mary Ann Pilditch 11/30 Charles and Barbara Hansen Sunday School is in session! Children ages 5-12 will follow the teachers to their class rooms immediately following Children s Time on the steps. (about 10:15am) Memorial Committee Report See attached report which includes: Christmas Memorial Ornament Order Form

3 Prayer Fellowship An Update on Susanne s Chats I am excited!! After a twelve-month series of Susanne s Chat with God, the Holy Spirit has led me to do another series entitled Susanne s Chat with Jesus! Awesome!! And He has given me a phrase to tell everyone: Jesus Love You and Me! Reflecting on the Mission of the United Methodist Church, To make disciple for Jesus Christ, I am reminded that we do have much work to do for God s Kingdom. Let us get excited and share God s love and tell everyone: Jesus Love You and Me! Blessings of love, joy and peace, Susanne Susanne s Chat with Jesus Jesus is My Best Friend Good morning Jesus, on this glorious day I am so thankful that you ARE my best friend. It is so amazing that you are on call 24/7 and I don t even have to dial a number!! All I have to do is whisper Your precious name and You are there. You have walked with me through my entire life and helped me with challenges that seemed insurmountable. Despite my profound hearing loss ad now diminishing vision, You have enabled me to do my best and become Your servant with overwhelming love for everyone. I know I am not perfect and have made many mistakes, but because of Your sacrifice, I have asked for Your forgiveness and have been blessed. I thank You Jesus for always being there for me. I love you and look forward to our many chats. Amen. November 2016 Susanne Dillman Maxine Schultz, Dora Moore, Dorothy Miller, Jill Burk, Bob & Betty Hare, Grace Holme-Shaw, Mark Huebler, Mary Johnson, Zella Wallace, Jim & Kristen Wood, Ed Kragenbrink, Jacqueline Matlock, Frankie & Amy, Joyce Davidson, Larry Chisholm, Esther Anderson, Wayne & Muriel Humbert, Steve Worden, Collette Seaver, Brother Elias & Sister Tapuwa Mumbiro, Becky Rumsey, Yvonne Garrett, Lauren Mertz, Jerry & Lila Goff, Carol Kanarck, David Knights, Harvey Farrand, Sandy Hooper, Meghan and Andrew Kinney, Scott & Gina Seipel, Linda Smith, Marcile Cunningham, Dan & Jackie Burch, Jim and Kristin Wood, Shirley Burgess, Mona Ault, Linda Pomaville and Tosha Parker. Bears are now available. You can take a bear to be dressed and return it or, if you do not choose to dress a bear, you might consider donating $7 toward the price UMW pays per bear from the Salvation Army. Please return dressed bears by November 18 th. They will be blessed November 20 th and returned to Salvation Army the following week. Holiday Fare will be held November 5 th 9a.m. to 3p.m. Bake sale will be hosted by MMW circle. All donations of baked goods, candy, etc. will be greatly appreciated. Attic treasures and many vendors will be available for shopping. Clothes made by Norma will be

4 available for dressing the bears. Lunch will include chicken noodle soup, sloppy joes, ground bologna sandwiches, chips, cookies and beverages. Plan to come for tasty lunch and creative shopping! UMW Christmas luncheon will be held December 14 at 1200 noon at the Catholic Diocese. All women are invited. Gifts will be collected for Emmaus House. A Thank You Note from the United Methodist Women Many thanks to all of you who donated items for our mission project for Emmaus House this past summer. Lois Arthur and I loaded the donations into Lois's van to deliver them. Members of Emmaus House helped us unload the donations. They were amazed at your generosity. Again - many thanks for helping us meet their needs. We were also made aware that members of the yoga class made a very generous cash donation. Thank you to them, also. Sincerely, Sue Wagner Education & Interpretation Reminder The Mary Martha Wesley (MMW) Circle meets the third Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm. We are studying You ll Get Through This by Max Lucado. Weekend Backpack Program We have begun the school year. Please consider volunteering to pack food bags. We now have a sign-up sheet in the parlor, and we are offering transportation from the church. Salvation Angel Tree We will have an angel tree in early December. When we get more information, we'll pass it to you. We invite all women to join us. You may purchase the book or share one with a MMW member. Thanksgiving Ingathering Applications for food boxes are on display in the parlor. We are now accepting nonperishable foods and paper products. If giving a money donation is better for you,

5 please use a pew envelope and mark it "ingathering". 11/06/16 Completed applications are due back (return to Mary Ann Pilditch or drop off at church office) 11/13/16 Deadline for donations 11/17/16 Sort donated food 11/18/16 Purchase additional food, turkeys, and fresh produce 11/20/16 Distribute food boxes 1:00-2:00 pm the church parlor. understand Christian stewardship already understand this message, sometimes better than the speaker. For one thing, they understand that it s God s message. For another, they know that people shouldn t wait to be told to change the world until they re adults. Children can be good stewards, and practicing good stewardship changes the world from the moment it begins. Soup and Dessert Tasting Our annual soup and dessert tasting is scheduled for January 22, Please mark your calendars! This is a great way to fellowship and eat some delicious food. Submitted by: Mary Ann Pilditch If you ve ever been to a high school or college graduation, then you ve had to sit through speeches. Graduates make them, administrators make them, and guest speakers make them. While they each have their own way of saying it, for the most part they all have the same point: Go and change the world. People who Painfully cold hands of a homeless person change to warm, comfortable ones when a child hangs a pair of gloves on a mitten tree. Lonely children can find a world of kindness and friendship in a church when a child invites them to Sunday school. Homes can be built or repaired for those in need. Farms in distant parts of the globe become more self-sufficient when children donate money for livestock. The list goes on. Good stewardship usually begins when a Christian is a child, and is usually taught by parents. However, there s nothing wrong with these speeches. They may inspire those who are already good stewards to become better ones, and convince those who are not to begin to give of their time, talent and treasure, which itself is a worthwhile form of stewardship. Submitted by: Janice Olafson Stewardship

6 Our annual Pledge Drive for 2017 has begun. Watch for the pledge letter and pledge card in the mail in the next few days. Looking Ahead All Saints Sunday will be November 6 th Communications Please keep your address up to date! Please list name/s of people who will be using this . Send to statestreetcomm@gmail.com with the subject line of Update Refreshing Fire Conference - coming to State Street UMC this fall! November 10-12, 2016 Mark your calendars: Reminder! Help Wanted - Sign Ministry A volunteer is needed to assume responsibility for the messages on the corner signs, beginning January 1, Patti Turner has faithfully carried out this wonderful ministry for several years. She is willing to mentor a new volunteer, sharing all she has learned over time. The signs on Davenport and State Streets are a part of our identity. Many people have shared appreciation for a message that has met their spiritual need as they passed by. After prayerful consideration, please contact the Nominations and Leadership Committee with your willingness to serve. Lois Arthur, co-chair Altar Flowers Betty Ray, our faithful flower girl, would like to retire from this position at the end of 2016 (or sooner). You can help enhance the worship experience by ordering fresh flowers as needed. Contact Judy Collier, Worship Committee Chair: Purpose: Equip the Body of Christ for Ministry beyond the walls of the church building. To bring the Body of Christ in Saginaw and surrounding areas together and provide tools and resources for ministry. Re-ignite the passion for making disciples for Jesus Christ. Visit the conference specific web site below for more information and registration form. (Registration form also attached) Word from the Street Articles for December are Due November 18, 2016