The. Inside this Issue: Orchard Park United Methodist Church. from Pastor Jay...

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1 Orchard Park United Methodist Church 3700 N. Buffalo Street Orchard Park, NY Website: opumc.com Pastor Jay Roberts Inside this Issue: Worship Information Pg 2 Birthdays Pg 2 Prayer List Pg 2 UMW Pg 3 Church Contact Information/Staff Pg 4 Calendar Pg 5 The VISTA Newsletter Volume 60 JANUARY 2018 Number 1 from Pastor Jay... My United Methodist program calendar features a quote from Romans 12:2. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God what is good and acceptable and perfect. J.B. Phillips translates it as Don t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold. As I look out on this New Year, I can t help but wonder if the pressures and the stresses of the previous year will be just as unrelenting this year - they probably will. We need to exercise care that we do not succumb to those outside forces that often make choices and decisions for us. Sometimes we think that simply by identifying those forces, both hidden and revealed, we can simply bear up under and resist those pressures by doing the right thing. That is the fallacy, however, found associated with the new year s resolution. I resolve to spend more time with my kids so I ll change things around in my work schedule. or All I need to do is find a balance among all the other demands placed on my life. or I resolve to do a better job to fit church in with all my other commitments. Paul would tell us that we re only fooling ourselves thinking that by merely rearranging bits and pieces of all that which affects our living, our relationships, our spiritual health, we will be able to resist the pressures of the world outside and find peace within. What is required, as Paul states, is renewal from within. A transformed mind is what is required for people to live authentic and fulfilled lives. Renewal happens in the ongoing practice of prayer, study, and Christian conversation with folks who keep us accountable. And as ambiguous and frustrating as that process can be at times, we are, nonetheless, called to humbly and confidently strive to know and do God s will. If you are not already participating in a discipleship group or some other small group, now is a good time to consider adding this to your monthly or weekly schedule before those outside forces dominate your time and energy. Celebrate and live into this New Year with a renewed devotion to walk with and listen to God.

2 Worship Schedule Sunday, January 7 11:00 AM Worship Service & SS Greeters: Mike & Julie Waters Lay Reader: Mary Jane Russell AV: Margot Ip Communion Steward: Julie Waters Sunday, January 14 11:00 AM SS Greeter: Marcia Roberts Lay Reader: Carol Brauer AV: Peter Slotman Sunday, January 21 11:00 AM SS Greeter: Bea Hudson Lay Reader: Lurly Hunsberger AV: Margot Ip Sunday, January 28 11:00 AM Worship Greeter: Sue Cash Lay Reader: Candy Carberry AV: Peter Slotman Art Cooper 1/13 Peter Slotman 1/18 Dan Liggett 1/22 Calvin Clark 1/25 The next gathering will be Monday, February 5. New members are always welcome to join us! Call Deanna Laurie ( ) or Pastor Jay ( ) with prayer requests. Eli Scharf (Rev. Brian Scharf s grandson) Kris Lutz, Nathan Roberts Nancy Kamm, Tammy Raichel Katherine & Daniel Montanez (Beth Stuart s daughter/son-in-law; in the military) Senior Care: John Henning Millie Lohiser Phil Paglia Prudy Pugh (Scott s mother) When you give on Special Sundays, you enable vital ministries that change the world, one life at a time. Please sign up to host (co-host) Coffee Fellowship in January or February. The sheet is posted near the kitchen. Sunday, January 14, a United Methodist special offering will be taken for Human Relations Day. Your generous gift strengthens community outreach and empowers at-risk youth. All monies collected will be funneled to our United Methodist Community Development Program (57%), the United Methodist Voluntary Services Program (33%) and the Youth Offender Rehabilitation Program (10%). Page 2

3 January 4, All women are welcome to decide where our mission dollars will go. Meet in the Haley Room at 6:30 PM. Our December auction for missions and donations generated about $500. There are many places locally to help women and children. Come help us decide. UPCOMING EVENTS: January 12-19: Family Promise week at OP Presbyterian Church. See Julie Waters, Carolyn Wrinn or Donna Kroh to see where you can help dates for Family Promise: March 16-23, June 1-8, October Friday, March 2: World Day of Prayer at OPUMC. Representatives from West Seneca and Hamburg will meet to plan the service. Planning details will be announced soon. We can trust God in the year ahead, for he has good plans for our future: Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (NLT) Just a little note of thanks for a whole lot of thoughtfulness. We just wanted to send a Thank You for the wonderful bags of food and turkey you have given our family. It could not have come at a better time. I am recovering from two spine surgeries, my husband was laid off from his job while helping take care of me, the house, the kids, etc. We are in the middle of a pretty ruff patch right now. So thanks again for your wonderful help. It was much appreciated. [An AOK family] To my friends at OPUMC, Thank you for your very generous Christmas gift!! I consider myself blessed to work at this church with such wonderful people. May God bless you with peace and joy in 2018! Your sister n Christ, Michelle Page 3

4 Our United Methodist The last Sunday of each month is called "Food Pantry Sunday." You can place your food items on the floor at the end of your pew. Other days, put your donation in one of the baskets in the Narthex. mission is to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God s love with our neighbors in all places." CHURCH STAFF Pastor: Rev. Jay Roberts ; jay_r_14120@yahoo.com Office Hrs: Tues. 9:00 AM-12:30 PM; Thurs. 12 Noon-2:30 PM; Fri. 9:00 AM-12 Noon Music Director: Peter Van Scozza ; pvspsq@gmail.com St. Pauly s Clothing Shed Volunteers Week of: 1/7 George Slocum 1/14 Art Cooper 1/21 Linda Carroll 1/28 Ed Nuse Please be sure to arrange a replacement when you are unable to work your week. Thanks, Ed Nuse Administrative Assistant: Michelle Kemp ; Tues. 9:00 AM-3:00 PM, Thurs. 12:30-3:30 PM, and Fri. 9:00 AM -12:00 noon Sunday Morning Childcare: Sue Stachewicz Phone: Custodian: Maria Galley (Tom s daughter) ; maria.galley@yahoo.com Like us on Facebook! Pastor Jay posts on the OPUMC wall. Check it out and pass it on! Deadline for February 2018 VISTA Friday, January 19, 2018 Winter Storm Closings To check if the church is closed or activities are cancelled due to weather, go to Channel 2, or log on to WGRZ.com for the most up-to-date information. Please make sure the doors to the Sanctuary are closed when you leave to keep the heat Page 4

5 January 2018 January 6 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Church Council 9am-2pm Daisies 4:30-6:00pm UMW 6:30pm 7 Epiphany Sunday UMYF 6:30pm 8 Sewing Circle 9:30-2:00pm Girl Scouts 5:30-7:00 Brownies 6:15-7:30pm 9 Discipleship Pathways 6:45-7:45pm Human Relations Day Offering 15 Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 16 Faith Fellowship 7:00pm Daisies 4:30-6:00pm UMYF 6:30pm 22 Sewing Circle 9:30-2:00pm Girl Scouts 5:30-7:00 Brownies 6:15-7:30pm Sewing Circle 9:30-2:00pm Girl Scouts 5:30-7:00 30 OWLS Lunch 12noon (Waterstone Grill) Daisies 4:30-6:00pm 31 Page 5

6 Orchard Park United Methodist Church 3700 North Buffalo Road Orchard Park, NY Newsletter of OPUMC Orchard Park United Methodist Church 3700 North Buffalo Road, Orchard Park, NY ~ ~