The. Inside this Issue: Orchard Park United Methodist Church FEBRUARY Volume 61. Number 2

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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 Annual Report Church Contact Information/Staff Calendar Pg 3 Pgs 4,5 Pg 6 Pg 7 VISTA The FEBRUARY 2019 Volume 61 Newslette r Number 2 Repeatedly, Jesus told stories and acted in ways that suggested, if not demanded, the people of God accept those they had labeled as unacceptable. He called on us to abandon our quick judgments and love whomever we encountered. Love was no longer reserved for those who were like us. Jesus said, if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? (Luke 6:32) He then demonstrated this all-embracing love. He healed lepers. He comforted prostitutes. He ate with tax collectors. He forgave sinners. Those whom the world despised, he befriended. He died with love on his lips Father forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34). If God is love, as Scripture claims, I must reject any word that suggests God is less than loving. And I must abandon any reasoning that allows me to be less gracious than God. -Gulley and Mulholland, If Grace Is True. When was the last time you felt most loved? When was the last time you shared your kind spirit, words of affirmation (your love) with another? Some would tell us that the greatest threat to humankind today is not the destruction of our natural world and resources, not the roller coaster ride of our economy, not wide-spread natural disasters, and not even the continuous nature and escalation of war and threats of war around the world. Some would say the greatest threat to humankind is loneliness, i.e., the lack of experiencing or sharing love for and with others. That may not be far from the truth. If we believe that God s life is an all-embracing love, then not experiencing or sharing that love is living without God, which is death. Maybe we take the power of love too lightly in the midst of all the other overwhelming issues that confront us. Maybe we romanticize that word down to a sugary-sweet feeling that finally doesn t have much purpose or commitment, especially when things don t go our way with others. We will walk through a season where God s love for humanity led to a cross and a horrific death for the one we know as Jesus. Rather than strike back at those who seek to destroy the very love God offers, God s power through Jesus chooses death itself to show forth the triumph of love over hate and life over death. Where does that leave us? I believe one of the greatest gifts of this community of faith called Orchard Park UMC is the simplicity of our understanding of God s grand mission. The heart of that mission is reaching out to as many folks as possible with the life-giving, lifeaffirming, life-embracing relationship of love in God through Jesus Christ. Our church should be about inviting and building and deepening relationships from the youngest child to the oldest adult. God s love took the promise of life to the cross and beyond where does God s love take us? Certainly, towards a sacrifice of self for others, and in that sacrifice, to the triumph of love over hate, peace over strife, and yes, life over death. At Orchard Park UMC, we continue to strive for the courage to live God s love in ever-expanding ways! So, may it ever be! A message from Pastor Jay...

2 February Worship Participants Sunday, February 3 9:30 AM Adult Study 11 AM Worship & SS Greeters: The Rudyk Family Lay Reader: TBD Coffee Hour Host: Candy Carberry AV: Margot Ip Sunday, February 10 9:30 AM Adult Study 11 AM Worship & SS Greeter: Marcia Roberts Lay Reader: TBD Coffee Hour Hosts: Linda Carroll, Dianne Brent AV: Peter Slotman Sunday, February 17 9:30 AM Adult Study 11 AM Worship & SS Greeter: Marilyn Henning Lay Reader: TBD Coffee Hour Hosts: Julie & Mike Waters AV: Margot Ip Sunday, February 24 9:30 AM Adult Study 11 AM Worship & SS Greeter: Bea Hudson Lay Reader: TBD Coffee Hour Host: Charlene Marcus AV: Peter Slotman Communion Steward for February: Amanda Donovan The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board outside the kitchen. If you d like to know more about being a host, please contact Vivian Slocum or Carolyn Wrinn. Helen Buss Bob Laurie Phyllis Cooper Bob & Janet James Nancy Kamm Active & Veteran Servicemen People affected by government shutdown Senior Care: Millie Lohiser John Henning Phil Paglia Prudy Pugh (Scott s mother) Mary Jane Russell Kristina Lutz Charlene Marcus Beth Kaforey Debbie Schwabel 2/7 2/9 2/14 2/23 2/24 All are welcome to attend & register for these classes. Catch the Spirit Discipleship Gathering Niagara Frontier District of the United Methodist Church Workshops * Fellowship * Vendors * Lunch March 2, 2019 ~ 8:00am to 3:30pm Registration forms will be on the table in the Narthex. They are due February 16. More details, including a list of all the classes, is with the registration form. Catch the Spirit is an opportunity to gather with other United Methodists from around the District (primarily Erie and Niagara counties) for the purpose of learning together, gathering ideas to bring back to OPUMC, strengthening faith through worship and dialogue, renewing connections and making new ones. This is a one-day event, with no ongoing commitment. Participants can sign up for a morning class OR an afternoon class OR both (2 different classes) OR a full-day class. For the past several years, it has been held at Clarence UMC, which has a good facility for this purpose. There are a variety of workshops with different emphases some for aspiring lay leaders, some for personal growth, some for training people to serve in a particular area, some for simply sharing and gleaning new ideas. Theme for 2019: Therefore Go & Make Disciples in My Name Matt. 28:18-20 Page 2

3 World Day of Prayer Friday, March 1 1:00pm at OPUMC 2019 Theme: All God s Creation is Very Good! written by the women of Suriname (South America) This year, OPUMC will host this special service. Local churches will join us in planning and participating. The first planning meeting is January 30. If you would like to be involved in the planning process or participating in the service, please contact Carolyn Wrinn at UMW District Gift Day March 16, at Grand Island Trinity UMC This is a day UMW women from our district gather for a program and to bring items their churches have collected for several ministries. The Rev. Gregg Stierheim will be the speaker. He is starting Wesley s Place - a new ministry in the medical corridor of Buffalo. A list of supplies that are needed by the given ministries will be posted on the bulletin board. Please keep these needs in mind when you go shopping. There will be a table in the Fellowship Hall for your gift day donations. If you d like to attend, please sign up. There is no cost but they need to know the number of people who will attend. The morning program begins at 9:30 (coffee and pastries) and will conclude at 12noon. Our December auction for missions proceeds ($820) have been sent to the Food Bank for Central City Café, Jericho Road Ministries, Seneca Street UMC, Family Justice Center and Red Bird Mission. COMING: UMW SUNDAY February 10 The next UMW general meeting is Tuesday, March 5, at 6:30pm. All women welcome! Shalom, Carolyn Wrinn Clara s Closet Adults and children s coats -WARM, clean, new or gently used with buttons with working zippers. They can be hung on the clothes rack near the lavatories. We are also collecting hats, scarves, mittens, gloves and boots. There is a container under the coat rack. Page 3

4 2018 Annual Report from Church Council Average Attendance 2018 Worship: Approximately 40, similar to 2017 Sunday School: Adults: average 8-9 with a pool of 13 Children: started with 8 in Sept with 13 now 13 in Christmas pageant UMYF: 7-8 at meeting with a pool of Mother/Child Banquet: 60 attend Checkers Clown Church in the Grove: 60 + Halloween Party: 50+ Christmas Pageant Luncheon: 60 Adult Christmas Party: 28 with 7 kids in nursery Building & Grounds New coffee maker Contractor work on fixing window leaks AV system is under review with upgrades planned Landscaping on front of church has been changed & updated, more work on side and in prayer garden People Inc. have their contractor plow sidewalk at road in exchange for continued use of our parking lot. We still need people to clear front steps and elevator entrance and rear entrance. Sign up on the bulletin board outside the kitchen Bids are being requested to repairs to parking lot for spring repairs. Mission & Outreach Sewing circle continues to make items (quilts, blankets, etc.) for Clara s Closet, AOK families & new babies being baptized, etc. Mission team Shoes for Nicaragua Glove, scarves, sock for Seneca St. UMC 4 families for AOK at thanksgiving & Christmas Food for food pantries UMYF-UMW Taste of Buffalo UMYF Cooked and served two dinners at Seneca St. UMC. Helped with Halloween Party. Purchased gifts for 10 Angel for AOK. Youth retreat at Camp Asbury. Page 4

5 UMW 2018 Annual Report (Continued) Gave money to Seneca St. UMC, Clara s Closet, Family Justice, CC Café, Red Bird $600 to UMW district pledge commission $400 for Hurricane relief invited Church to give $1,000 from existing funds and ask congregation to donate. Total $2,304. donated to UMCOR with 100% going for Hurricane relief. Church Finances Financially, we finished the year with about $2,000 better than predicted in general budget. $50,000 bequest from Ken Miller. Investments lost $9,000 in Nov-Dec. Four scholarships of $125 given out in June to college students from Harlan Ball Fund. UMC Special Offerings: One Great Hour of Sharing, Native American Sunday, Student Sunday, Peace & Justice Sunday, Human Relations Sunday, World Communion Sunday- Approximately $600. Miscellaneous Church Camp at the end of June was awesome. 62 attending: 20 adults full/part time, 42 youth (6 to 18 years old) Team of 5 joined Hamburg for work camp at Red Bird. Cassie Waterhouse joined mission team going to Africa in July and made a presentation for church in Sept. Scott Pugh & Lurly Hunsburger have gone off Church Council. Amanda Donovan & Dan Liggett have joined Council for 3 years. Art & Phyllis continue to do communications with flyers, newspapers and radio. Shannon Liggett has agreed to be a Social Media coordinator with postings on facebook, instagram, website, etc. From Church Treasurer 2018 Conference Payments Thank You all for your support of OPUMC. We have made the following payments in 2018: Ministry Shares 18,528 World Communion 118 Moving Fund 450 Student Day 89 Retiree Premium 1,468 UMCOR General 540 UMCOR Disasters 2,304 We have also helped in so many other ways also; this is just in direct support of our Conference. Thank you again for all that you do. Ed Nuse Page 5

6 The last Sunday of each month is called "Food Pantry Sunday." Living in Christ s love, 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. serving God and neighbor. February Volunteers to shovel snow at the church Week of: 2/3 Ed Nuse 2/10 Rich Spinelli 2/17 Rich Spinelli 2/24 Ed Nuse If you d like to volunteer for a week, the sign-up sheet is posted outside the kitchen. Thank you. St. Pauly s Clothing February Shed Volunteers Week of: 2/3 Waterhouse Family 2/10 Amanda & Tom Donovan 2/17 Mike Waters 2/24 Ed Nuse Please be sure to arrange a replacement when you are unable to work your week. 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 Administrative Assistant: Michelle Kemp ; Tues. 9:00 AM-3:00 PM, Thurs. 12:303:30 PM, and Fri. 9:00 AM -12:00 noon *Michelle will be out of the office the week of Christmas. Sunday Morning Childcare: Sue Stachewicz Phone: Custodian: Maria Galley ; maria.galley@yahoo.com Deadline for February 2019 VISTA Tuesday, February 21 Winter Storm Closings Thursday, Feb. 14 To check if the church is closed or activities are cancelled due to weather, go online or live TV to WGRZ Channel 2, WIBV Channel 4, or WKBW Channel 7 for the most up-todate information. Page 6

7 February Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Adult Bible Study 9:30am Worship & Children s SS 11:00am UMYF Super Bowl (at Waterhouse s) 4 5 Zumba Class 4 kids 4:00pm Daisies 4:30pm Brownies 6:30pm 6 Choir Rehearsal 7:00pm 7 Girl Scouts 6pm UMW Sunday Adult Bible Study 9:30am Worship & Children s SS 11:00am 11 Sewing Circle 9:30am-1:00pm Girls Scouts 5:30pm Girl Scouts 6:00pm 12 Zumba Class 4 kids 4:00pm 13 Choir Rehearsal 7:00pm Adult Bible Study 9:30am Worship & Children s SS 11:00am Zumba Class 4 kids 4:00pm 20 Choir Rehearsal 7:00pm 21VISTA deadline 716 Fresh 8-5pm Girl Scouts 6pm 22 Exemplary Needle Guild 9:30am-3:30pm 23 UMYF 6:30pm 24 Adult Bible Study 9:30am Worship & Children s SS 11:00am 25 Sewing Circle 9:30am-1:00pm Girls Scouts 5:30pm Girl Scouts 6:00pm 26 Zumba Class 4 kids 4:00pm Daisies 4:30pm Brownies 6:30pm 27 Choir Rehearsal 7:00pm Fresh 8-5pm March 1 World Day of Prayer 1:00pm Service at OPUMC Page 7

8 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 ~ ~