We Can Only Imagine Weekend Success

Transcription

1 NEWSLETTER FOR September 2018 We Can Only Imagine Weekend Success Words cannot express my appreciation to Mount Pisgah UMC for the We Can Only Imagine weekend. It was truly amazing how the congregation came together with over 200 people serving the Lord. The picture that best captures the outpouring of support was taken on Saturday at 7:30 am. It is a photo of a sea of red shirts filling the sanctuary in prayer. The weekend, having 1500 people in attendance, expanded our boundaries to reach more people for Christ in the months and years to come. Glenda Smith sent me the following recap of where the 1000 backpacks landed. Thank you to everyone for your generous donations of money and school supplies for our backpack giveaway. Due to the overwhelming response, we were able to distribute all 1000 backpacks. We gave out 538 during the actual event. Our members going on the Henderson Settlement mission trip will take 100 of the backpacks to distribute there September 4-8. The remainder of the backpacks went to the following schools which have connections to our church either through current members teaching at these locations or former Whobodies who teach at locations in Winston Salem and Charlotte: Hall Woodward Elementary, Parkwood Middle School, Nash Elementary, McNair Elementary, Cone Elementary, Peck Elementary, Jones Elementary, and Northern High. We also sent 100 backpacks to Teen Challenge. The extra school supplies have been donated to Operation Christmas Child to be used in the shoeboxes. As you can see, your help and support is blessing our neighbors in many locations! The water left over was distributed on August 26 and then again on September 2 for the congregation to bless someone in the community. A whopping 548 bottles were distributed. A recap of the other ministries reports were: 47 sports physicals 200+ volunteers 80 Haircuts 35 Dolly Parton Imagination Library (free book monthly from infant -fifth grade) 61 Eye Screenings (Lions Club) - 18 identified possible issues detected 25 Families visited Prayer area 35 New prayer requests left on the Prayer Cross 162 attended the movie I Can Only Imagine 226 came out Sunday night to the special service 407 Sunday morning under the tent

2 As September arrives, Rev. Cody Johnsen will preach on September 2nd and Rev. Donald Thomas will preach on September 23rd. Please take note that our fellowship meals will be starting back on September 12th as an introduction to our Fall Bible studies and then begin regularly on September 26th. Please take note of a whole page devoted to these studies in the newsletter. The United Methodist Women s yard sale takes place the week of September 17th with the actual sale on September They need your stuff and your help. Please contact Terry Edwards or Kathy Tate. Mount Pisgah has been selling pumpkins since 1990 and this year marks our 28th year. Robert Chou will be coordinating the Pumpkin Patch. Please read his article on how to sign up to help. Pumpkins arrive on September 29th. We Can Only Imagine... Rev. Jeff Johnsen Upcoming Scripture Passages: September 9 th 1 Chronicles September 16th 2 Chronicles 1-12 September 23 rd Rev. Donald Thomas September 30 th 2 Chronicles Financial Highlights Through August 28th: 2018 Actual $716, Actual $688, Budget $681,003 Memorials Fellowship Area Building Fund: In memory of Fran Wood by Tom & Agnes Shelton, Dana Wood Martin, Arzelle Dwyer, John Dwyer, Renee Cruthis, Ronnie and Patsy Dew, Walter Burch and Sara Pozil. Chancel Choir: In memory of Esther Amend by Jerry and Cynthia Wall. In memory of Mac McCollum by Ann Schwabeland, Jerry and Cynthia Wall, Pat Lawing, Lynda Willliams and MPUMC. Senior Outreach: In memory of Mac Amos by Ann Schwabeland. Missions: In honor of Tom and Agnes Shelton by their Children and Grandchildren. Page 2 of 12

3 Mission and Ministry Moments by Rev. Donald Thomas For the month of September, I would like to recognize two ministries that take place all year long here at Mt. Pisgah that are of great importance. The first that I would like to recognize is the Bereavement Team. The Bereavement Team is made up of 17 individuals here at Mt. Pisgah who are the hands and feet of Christ during times of loss within our congregation. After the loss of a loved one, the team makes a visit and delivers helpful information to those experiencing grief and loss. They have been a great comfort to members of Mt. Pisgah over the years. The team members are: Bob and Pat Hatley (Team Leaders), Robbin and Spencer Ferguson, Ginger Pfister, Margaret Lewis, Ann Jones, Sue Eaker, Jerry and Cynthia Wall, Joann Cooper, Betty Wilson, Jim and Ronda Foster, Don and Beth Long. Thank you so much for all that you do! The second ministry that I would like to recognize for the month of September are the eight groups from Mt. Pisgah that prepare and serve dinner at the Potters House at Greensboro Urban Ministry the 2 nd Friday of each month. Each group prepares a meal with enough food to feed 100 people and are the hands and feet for Christ as they serve the meals and talk with those God has sent their way. The eight groups that serve at the Potters House are: The Seekers Class, CUC Class, Page Class, Covenant Class, Roundtable Class, Agape Class, Alpha Classes, Kathy Burns and Pediatric Ophthalmology. Pictured are those who served at the Potters House the month of August. They are: Luis Cruz, Mamadou, Sierra, Makayla, Elijah, and Nicole Sene, Mary Michaux and granddaughter, Lily, Ann Cable (hiding), Dianne Chou, Dianne Thomas, Margaret Lewis. Thank you so much for all that you have done in the name of Jesus Christ! Blessings! If you have items to donate for the yard sale, the container is open on Sundays or you may call one of these ladies and she will meet you at the church. Kathy Tate ( ), Kathy White ( ), Margaret Lewis ( ). We are accepting gently used clothing for men and women, accessories, household items in good working order (like toasters), linens, luggage, holiday decor, lamps, rugs, glassware and jewelry. Call Kathy White at , re: jewelry. We regret we cannot accept electronics (TV's, computers) or books, etc. Thank you for your support!! Welcome to the World! Congratulations to Justin and Stephanie Carter upon the birth of their son, William David Carter, on August 11 in Greensboro. Welcome New Members Sheila Arnold, Tom & Shirley Uber, Mike & Peggy Ward, Jessie Ainesworth, Dana Martin, Ted Dwyer, and Jason Dwyer. Page 3 of 12

4 Remember in Prayer Week 1: Jan Laws, Frank York (father of Walt York), Dorothy Robinson, Dorothy Brame, Donald Thomas, Sr. (father of Rev. Donald Thomas), Abby Augustin (mother-in-law of Rae Augustin), Harold O Tuel (father of Molly Johnson). Week 2: Primo Molinari (no visitors), Kathy Sharp, Charles Rice (father of Emily Jolly), Jodie Nelson. Week 3: Martha Furr (mother of Richard Furr). Week 4: Tom Freeland (brother of Todd Freeland), Sam Hanlon, Lib Boland. Be in prayer for Jessie Ainesworth, Molly Johnson, and Bob Tursky, who will be attending the Walk to Emmaus this month. Women s Retreat Under Construction April 5-7, 2019 at Kingston Plantation, Myrtle Beach, SC W We are so excited to have Leslie Neese as our retreat speaker. She will be bringing a new message to us about our faith and the ongoing construction we face. Join us for a special time with friends and family as we head to the beach to grow in spirit and fellowship. We have space for 80 ladies and the registrations are about half filled. Don t delay and sign up on the website today. The cost is $160.. Emmaus News New Reunion Groups Forming! Both Men s and Women s reunion groups are forming so if you re interested in becoming a part of a small group of Emmaus alumni, here are the dates: MEN: This group will meet at 7:00 PM on Thursday, September 13 at Libby Hill Seafood on Cotswold Terrace. If you have completed a walk in another area or a recent Piedmont Emmaus walk and are interested in joining a reunion group, please contact Danny Burns at (336) WOMEN: A new women s reunion group will hold its initial meeting at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 25 in the church conference room. At this time, group members will determine a mutually best time to meet. If you have completed a walk in another area or a recent Piedmont Emmaus walk and are interested in joining a reunion group, please Gaye Clifton at thgs76@aol.com. We are so excited to have Leslie Neese as our retreat T-Shirt Orders If you are interested in having one of those striking red and gold Mt. Pisgah Emmaus t-shirts for your very own, you re in luck! We will be taking orders for t-shirts through Sunday, September 30. Shirts are $17 each and come in sizes Adult Small through Extra Large. 2XL and 3XL shirts are available for $2 more. Please see Gaye Clifton to purchase shirts. Page 4 of 12

5 Wednesday Night Live Our Wednesday Night Live is beginning again on September 12th with a Preview Night for all our studies! Below find our studies and meal reservations. If interested, please complete the form and turn it in to the church office, or the collection plate on Sunday. We need everyone to make reservations for you and your family so there will be food for you to eat! Weekly reservations must be made by the Monday before each Wednesday night meal. If you choose to make a standing reservation for the 9- week meals that will be served, those reservations must be paid in full by September 10, The cost of meals are $7.50 per adult, $4.00 per child or $20.00 family maximum. Menus and dates are posted on the bulletin board, E-news, website and the bulletin s insert. September 12: Preview Night September 26 December 5: Live Class nights with meals. (No Class nor Meal, September 12, October 31, November 21) Class Offerings Include: All Classes begin at 6:30 with exceptions. * Indicates Book cost $ Realities for Experiencing God * 10 Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe * Experiencing God at Home * Whisper: Hearing the Voice of God * God is for the Alcoholic * Alpha for Youth Financial Peace University (online purchase of materials required) Kids Club (Bible Study, games and crafts) Children s Choir (Cherub 4yr-1st) (Celebration 2nd 5th) Meal for September 12 (Subject to Change) 5:30 6:30pm Honey Mustard Glazed Chicken Tomato Zucchini Casserole Roll, Salad Bar, Fresh Fruit, Peach and Blueberry Cobbler with Ice Cream To reserve your space for a class and meal, please complete the form below: Family NAME Class Choice: Participant s Name Class Choice: Participant s Name Class Choice: Participant s Name Class Choice: Participant s Name Reservation for Meal #Adults #Children (Cost $7.50 per adult, $4.00 per child, Max: $20.00 per family. Checks payable to Nancy Pierron) Page 5 of 12

6 Children s Ministry Dana Hanlon, Director of Christian Education New Children s Opportunities for Discipleship You ve likely heard the buzz (in some form) about 21 st -century learning. Instead of just memorizing facts, children are now learning how to think, critique, and synthesize (combine and apply) information. Collaboration and problem-solving are also key. These learning strategies can help kids grow in their Christian faith, too. Teaching abstract concepts to younger children can be challenging, but experts say certain techniques help preschool- and elementary-age kids move beyond concrete thinking. For example, sensory experiences, movement, interaction, and personal involvement all make concepts more real to young learners. Children hang new information onto previous bits of knowledge called mental hooks. Kids need hands-on experience to build on those hooks. That s why, rather than just call God a divine being, we also say he s a father, friend, and provider. We hang God onto hooks kids can grasp. Then as children s cognitive abilities develop, they re able to use mental operations letting them think more abstractly about relationships or patterns of objects without the actual objects present. Asking kids solid, higher-level questions further enhances their critical thinking about faith issues. As author, Josh McDowell, notes, I needed to teach my kids to think, to think logically, to come to their conclusions. Because if there is always Dad s answer, then they couldn t develop convictions. We need to put our children on a quest for truth. Our Children s Ministry is using the Hands On Approach with new curriculum for our Pre-school (9:45 and 11:00) and our K- 2 nd, 3 rd 5 th, and Children s Church. If your child hasn t been to Sunday School lately, bring them! Actively learning like Jesus taught that s our way! Living and Learning Teachable Moments Mobile Learners Researchers agree that some of the most productive mental processing occurs when children are active and involved. So get up and discuss Jesus and faith while doing other activities as a family. The I Can t Jar When children say they can t do something, write down the problem and pray about it together. When the obstacle has been overcome, put the slip of paper in a jar as a reminder of what Jesus helps us accomplish. Apply Always While reading the Bible together, ask questions with specific applications; for example, How can we serve our neighbors today? and What s one thing you can do this week to show love? Page 6 of 12

7 Wednesday Night Live. Discipleship and Fellowship We are offering 7 Discipleship Opportunities for adults, Youth Alpha, Kids Club, Children s Choirs and so much more this Fall! Take a look at our website for the Discipleship classes, meals and sign up forms! We need your candy donations for our Annual Trunk or Treat! Please bring in personal sized (not large sized) individually wrapped, peanut and nut free candy to our church office! We need to fill the bus with candy! Join us on Wednesday Night at 6pm for our weekly Wednesday Night Kids Club. Children are given the opportunity to sing, play games and learn more about God! Children age 4 yrs through 5th grade are invited to attend. For those children who choose not to sing, they remain in and assist Kids Club! Parents please: sign up for Kids Club and Choirs! NURSERY Is available for our youngest members, infant through 3yrs old for those parents in Live Discipleship classes. Page 7 of 12

8 Financial Youth Highlights: Ministry Update 2018 Actual: $660, Actual: $643, Budget: $628,943 Dear Mount Pisgah Family, Thank you for your assistance in services for Fran. Please express our thanks to the ladies that provided the wonderful lunch to our family. We appreciate all the prayers the church has give and for the love of Mount Pisgah. Sincerely, During the month of August, we had several great events with equally great attendance! 31 youth who attended our Summer Lock-In, 21+ volunteering at the GSO Event & 34 BRAND NEW & return youth for our Promotion Sunday event on Sunday, August 26th. At the start of the event, each youth was given a paper bracelet to print their name on. At the close of the event, bracelets were randomly passed back out. The name on the bracelet was the fellow Whobody that they would wear on their wrist and pray for during the upcoming week of school. At that time, each student was given the chance to connect with that youth to see if they had any specific prayer concerns. Our next big event is Camp Cheerio! Join us as we gear up for an incredible encounter with our Lord on that mountainside. This fall retreat will be one that you DO NOT want to miss. Registration information can be found to the left of this message. For other dates, please see below or contact Robert Chou [robert@mtpisgahgso.org]! Dan Wood, Dana & family September WhoHappenings 9th- Youth Alpha Launch Party 16th- Student Leadership Team Meeting 21st, 22nd, 23rd- Camp Cheerio [Fall Retreat] 29th- First Pumpkin Delivery/ Opening Day! & much more! Page 8 of 12

9 SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 BeJay Thompson, Claudia Sur, Haley Miller 17 Vickie Plott, Carolyn Grimes 2 Lee Booth, Larry Holmquist 18 Pat Marsh, Donald Thomas, Amy Thabet, Rayna McLaurin 4 Joyce Adams, Alma Daniel, Mary York, Margie 19 Holly Deuterman, Betty Vossers Brown, Matt Toney, Ben Cormack 20 Carolyn Lovelace 5 Frank Muire, Kalei Burgess, Kirra Burgess 21 Brenda Bell, Jo Lawrence, Robbie Hanlon 7 Bob Tursky 22 Louise Floyd, Bill Helt, Sharon Hundley, Linda Hilburn, 8 Margie Collins, Caroline Sharp Steve Darnell, Nicole Sene 9 Travis Dail, Ogo Idowu 23 Nick Divitci 10 Dot Alley 24 Tom Shelton, Sr., Ann Sayles, Deb Foley 11 Michael Idowu 26 Barbara Priddy, Jan Brown, Adam Shirley, Ama Yeboah, 12 Lacy Payne, Todd Brown, Nick Snyder Riley Ramseur 13 Rice Carter, Chris Jones, Landon Norman 27 Nancy Gryder, Kay Bettini, Linwood Ferguson 14 Pat Lawing, Pam Pegram, David Whitley 28 Mary Ellen Dickinson, Elsie Turner, Debbie Taylor 15 Brice Gardner, Hilda Evans, Kathy Cormack, 29 Ava Mitchell Mitzi McLaurin 30 Eleanor Cranford, Sue Upchurch 16 Christy Comer, J. O. Linden ANNIVERSARIES 1 Bob and Eileen Shubert 2 Frank and Ama Yeboah 5 Gary and Sandra Wegner 6 Gene and Ann Tanner 12 Walt and Gina York 15 Jeff and Glenda Burkett Tim and Christy Stream 17 Fletcher and Jerry Riffey 21 Kerry and Betty Eggleston 22 Ryan and Brittany Miller 26 Van and Rusty Gunter 23 Tim and Malissa Altizer 24 Tripp and Amy Miller 27 Jim and Jane Buchanan 30 Bob and Ginger Pfister Brad and Amy Thabet Bill and Stacy Thomson WORSHIP PARTNERS 8:30 am Greeters: 11:00 am Greeters: 8:30 am Ushers: Spencer Ferguson, Pat Manahan, Bob Johnson, Sept 2-Marcy Hayden Kathy White Russ Gordon, Dennis Scheer, Andrew McEachern Sept 9-Mary York Bonnie Rimmer 11:00 am Ushers: 1 st week-mac McNairy, Mark Nolte, Ann Tanner, Gene Tanner Sept 16-Jim & Carolyn Llewellyn Mary Jane Bennett 2 nd week-bob Tursky, Rick King, Charles Moon, Leo Schaaf Sept 23-Barbara Hill Maxine & Tommy Cole 3 rd week-randy Lewis, Ned Jones, Tim & Christy Stream Sept 30-Mike & Jo Lawrence Lucy & Joe Oliver 4 th week-bill Apple, Gaye Clifton, Ken Clifton Altar Guild: 8:30 am Robbin Ferguson 11:00 am Percy Ann Edmundson Bereavement Team Joann Cooper Page 9 of 12

10 Music News - Amberly Johnston Fall is the perfect time to become a part of Mt. Pisgah s music program. Come sing a new song! Chancel Choir rehearsals resume September 6 th! Those interested in singing with the chancel choir are encouraged to attend a rehearsal and learn more about being involved in the choral program at Mt. Pisgah. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings from 7:15-8:45pm in the choir room. Voices of Bronze Handbell rehearsals will begin Thursday, September 13 th, from 6:00-7:00 pm. Greensboro Community Women s Chorus rehearsals begin on Wednesday, September 19 th! The Community Women s Chorus rehearses Wednesday mornings from 10:30am-noon in the choir room. The fall season will be full of festive holiday music. Performances are Tuesday and Wednesday mornings in December. This is a community group drawing members from all over the Greensboro area! Children s Choir will kick off on Wednesday, September 5 th! A parent meeting will take place at 6:00 pm in the choir room with Amberly and Dana. During the parent meeting, all children should meet on the playground. Contact Amberly Johnston amberly@mtpisgahgso.org for more information on any of these groups, or talk to any member of the music department. Thank you!! I was so fortunate to have the love and support of my Mount Pisgah Church family during my recent back problem and recovery from surgery. Your many prayers for healing, lovely cards of encouragement, kind phone calls, delicious meals, and special visits were most appreciated. Ken and I are certainly blessed to be a part of Mount Pisgah where the people are so caring and concerned. Thank you for your many acts of kindness as I made my way through this time of pain and healing. May God bless you all! Sincerely, Gaye Barbour Clifton Thank you for your assistance in services for Fran. Please express our thanks to the ladies that provided the wonderful lunch to our family. We appreciate all the prayers the church has given and for the love of Mount Pisgah. Sincerely, Dan Wood, Dana & family We extend our love and sympathy to: Joyce Jones and family upon the death of her brother Mac Amos, on August 11 in Lumberton Kay McCollum and family upon the death of her husband, Mac McCollum, on August 12 in Greensboro Donald Thomas and family upon the death of his step uncle, Floyd Hathaway, on August 13 in Myrtle Beach. Nancy Pierron and Susan Lipper and family upon the death of their mother, Marilee Lipper, on August 24 in Springfield, IL. Betty Wilson and family upon the death of her husband, Wallace Wilson, on August 25 in Greensboro. Page 10 of 12

11 Alex Holmes did an outstanding job speaking in front of the UMM on Monday, August 27th. He spoke on what he learned about himself and in discipleship during this eight-week journey, which ended in Poland. The UMM s next meeting is September 24th. Rev. Cody Johnsen will be at seminary at Asbury Orlando Campus September taking classes in pursuit of a Master of Divinity degree. HENDERSON SETTLEMENT (September 4-8) Jim & Jackie Andrews Ann Cable Donna Callcott Patti Geans Bob & Pat Hatley Ned & Ann Jones Margaret Lewis Don & Beth Long Ann Sayles Amber Shelton Rev. Donald Thomas Dottie Cowan Bill & Vickie Apple Keep it Going - We have 548 water bottles for you to bless the people of Greensboro. Please take one or two as you leave and share with someone in need of refreshment. These water bottles were from the We Can Only Imagine weekend.. Young Adult Ministries by Rev. Cody Johnsen In September, different age groups will be meeting within the Young Adult ministries. This is a great way to get to know other young adults at the church. Contact Cody if you want more information on how to join a group. We are going to be doing the study, Label Maker by Louie Giglio starting September 9 th. Join us for the Young Adult class which meets in the Agape room on the second floor at 11:00 am. This is a great time for fellowship and discussion with one another. Join us for the Bridge service on the second Saturday of the month at 5:00 pm. in the Fellowship hall. The service is discussion- led and interactive. The Young Adult praise team will be leading the music that night. Come check it out! Levites Initially, I asked the Levites to serve through June of this year. We had 16 Levites who were part of the first group. We have had a phenomenal year in the church through August and most of the new ministries were led by the Levites. Often, the laity sit back and watch when they could be leading and serving. My goal is to have 20 Levites effectively lead within their gift set. If you desire to be on of the Levites beginning in October - May, please me or make an appointment to see me. Rev. Jeff Johnsen Church Leaders: Please be in prayer for the leaders of the church for the next two months. The Finance Committee will be meeting to set the 2019 ministry budget. The Nominations Committee will be meeting for the 2019 Lay Leadership. The Missions Committee will be meeting to review 2018 and plan The Staff Parish Relations Committee will be meeting to hire a new Organist/ Pianist. The Trustees will be meeting with monthly items that need attention. The Church Council on October 7th will be meeting to recommend the 2019 Ministry Budget, recommend the Nominations Report, and recommend a Church Conference. A Charge Conference will be held on October 21st at 3:00pm to approve the 2019 Ministry Budget, Nominations report, newly created Building Team, and a Capital Campaign conducted within the church. Page 11 of 12

12 CONTACT INFORMATION: Rev. Jeff Johnsen - Senior Pastor Rev. Donald Thomas - Associate Pastor Rev. Cody Johnsen - Associate Pastor Dana Hanlon - Director of Christian Education Robert Chou - Director of Youth Ministries Contact us at jeff@mtpisgahgso.org donald@mtpisgahgso.org cody@mtpisgahgso.org dana@mtpisgahgso.org robert@mtpisgahgso.org Pam Inman - Director of Operations & Administration Amberly Johnston - Director of Music & Worship Arts Rae Augustin - Director of Weekday School Diane Carter - Praise Band Director LuAnn Christy - Administrative Assistant Dee Earl - Membership & Financial Secretary Allan Leach - Treasurer pam@mtpisgahgso.org amberly@mtpisgahgso.org mpws@mtpisgahgso.org diane@mtpisgahgso.org luann@mtpisgahgso.org dee@mtpisgahgso.org allan@mtpisgahgso.org 2600 Pisgah Church Rd. Greensboro, NC Page 12 of 12