THE PASTOR S PAGE. Why and What's Next

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1 F I R S T February 2014 First United Methodist Church of Wabash, Indiana Mission Statement To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Vision Statement...To provide a loving fellowship that brings about spiritual transformation through worship, prayer, study and action in order to know Christ and to make Him known. THE PASTOR S PAGE Why and What's Next 110 N. Cass Street, Wabash, IN E D I T I O N For the last month we have been focusing in Why and how God goes with us through difficult circumstances. In February we will wrap that series up and begin focusing on elements of worship. This next series actually comes from a young pastor in our conference who has ties back to Wabash. You might know her as Andrea Bremmer. She was blessed to receive grant money from the Memorial Fund to go to seminary. She is in the Bishop's Leadership Academy with me and at our last event, she had opportunity to share one great idea-- a time when all the participants get a few moments to share something they have found to be helpful in ministry. I am going to be adapting her approach as the weather has made me adjust the preaching schedule. I hope you look forward to seeing some of your memorial fund monies at work as I adapt her idea for our congregation. My prayer through this upcoming series is that we will learn to appreciate more the aspects of worship where our spirit connects with God and maybe even come to respect how others connect with God differently than we do. Shalom, Rev. Kurt Freeman Senior Pastor - Rev. Kurt Freeman Pastor of Visitation - Rev. John Cook office.wabfirstumc@cinergymetro.net Phone: (260) FAX: (260)

2 How Your Church Works: The third Sunday of this month, each of our ministry teams will be introduced to you. At the end of that service there will be time for you to explore ways you can live out your faith in action through our congregation. I pray you will take the opportunity to serve God as we, together, serve Wabash for Jesus and the transformation of the world. Pastor Kurt A NOTE FROM KIDS FIRST We had a very blessed year in 2013!!! In 2013 we serviced, 71 families in our community, with a year end net income of, $9, We want to thank all of you that played a part, big or small, in helping us make 2013 a success!!!! Starting the New Year we have, 47 enrollments with 11 employees. We have several families in our community that are waiting to get into our program. We have the room but we just don t have the staff. If you know of any good prospects please, let them know we are taking applications. We still have Pizza Hut cards for sale. You can get those from, Nancy Devore, church office, or the Kids First office. The proceeds from the cards are going to the playground funds. Last year we raised 1,325.00, toward the new playground. Thank you for your continuous support & God Bless Missie Edwards, Director ADVENT 2014: Carol Berg is going to be putting together an Advent Devotional for next year and would like your help. Please keep a journal of your thoughts this year as you consider how what we are doing makes you ready for the return of Christ. How are your practices and traditions returning your heart to God? Write down reflections this year and get them to Carol. We ll put a team together to assemble these into a devotional for next year. NEWSLETTER DEADLINE FEBRUARY 15 Youth Christians in Action Join us during 9:00 a.m. Sunday School for Why? Sunday, January 26th 6:00 7:30 p.m. service project at the Prayer House (433 N. Wabash St.) Sunday, February 9th 6:00 8:00 p.m. Progressive Dinner. Meet at the Church. Sunday, February 16th 4:00 8:00 p.m. Parents Night Out Fundraiser at the Church Call or txt Emily Boardman for details ( ). COFIRMATION NEWS Confirmation: Mentors and Youth in confirmation need to be at class Sunday February 9th following 10am worship. We will be talking about Baptism and Communion, so make sure you stop sinning at least twentyfour hours before. Of course I am joking, I just wanted to see if you are paying attention. Also, confirmation youth and parents, we will do a lock-in one of the two last weekends in March. The confirmation youth will help in 10 a.m. service and be free to leave following that. Parents, I will need help-- especially someone to stay overnight so I am not a blibbering idiot because of sleep deprivation. :) Confirmands will join on May 18 during the 10am worship service. Pastor Kurt Club 345 Sunday, FEBRUARY 9 Baking cookies & packing college boxes 11:30 a.m. Andrea Schuler, Coordinator

3 The ORANGE curriculum that we are using in the Children s Ministry is exciting, engaging AND inspiring! The theme for each month is the same during the 9:00 and 10:00 Sunday School hours, but the activities are different in each hour. Each group has a monthly memory verse and a bottom line Bible truth that is highlighted during the lesson. First Look Preschool: During the month of February the preschool children will be on a mission to discover more about the love of Jesus and how He wants them to share His love with others. The theme for the month will be Mission L.O.V.E. and the children will be learning about Zacchaeus, the woman at the well, and other Bible characters to whom Jesus showed extraordinary love and compassion. 252 Basics Kindergarten through 5th Grade: Faith will be the topic/theme for the children in kindergarten through fifth grade during the month of February. The children will learn how faith and trust in God develop as we learn more about Him through His word. Faith is believing in what you can t see because of what you can see. Sometimes we lose sight of what God s doing in our lives. But we can see all of the many other ways God reveals Himself. Through the things we can see, we can believe that what the Bible says about God is true. By Jessica McKee 2013 The rethink Group. All rights reserved. *Used by permission. Susan Vanlandingham, Director of Children s Ministries Book Titles for Christian Book Club in 2014 BOOK remarks Jan. 21: Patchwork Planet by Anne Tyler Feb. 18: Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh Mar. 18: Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein Apr. 15 : The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman May 20: The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton Sept. 16: Blessings by Anna Quindlen Oct. 21: Book Thief by Marcus Zusak Nov. 18: Billy Budd by Herman Melville Next meeting, February 18 at 12:30 p.m. at The Great Wall Restaurant. Our February book is Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. We will not be borrowing this book from the Indiana Humanities Organization, so if you intend to read it you will need to purchase the book or borrow from the Wabash Library. This is a story of a girl raised in the foster care system and her difficulty in adjusting to life on her own when she is no longer eligible for foster care. For those who have questions about the book club please contact me, Sondra Harrell, at SAVE THE DATE The renown author of many Bible studies, Beth Moore, will be at the Fort Wayne coliseum Saturday, Sept 13, 2014 from 9:15 am to 4:30 pm. Wabash First will have a group going, so be looking for more information at a later date. HANDBELLS anyone interested in assisting us with handbells (no handbell experience needed), please come January 29 at 6:15 p.m. We ll meet in the handbell room. Marilyn Custer-Mitchell

4 Sunday, February 16th 4:00 8:00 p.m. Fundraiser for the Youth Mission Trip $10/child for children birth to 5th grade Call or txt Emily for details ( ) ALTAR FLOWER SIGN UP Please stop by the Altar Flower sign up chart located under the stairway in the foyer and see if there are dates you would like to provide flowers. The cost is $30 unless you have special requests then it may be higher. If you pay Lovebug Floral ahead the amount saved in billing will be added in flowers. You may take the flowers with you following the 10:00 a.m. worship service. February sign up is scarce so please consider signing up for a date in February. Thank you. Thank you so much for the wonderful Christmas basket! It was filled with all kinds of items we ll enjoy. While doing so, we are reminded how lucky we are for your presence in our lives. Love & Prayers, Harriet & Ed Benjamin Dear Friends, Thank you so much for the bag of goodies. It makes me happy that you think of me. Arlie Cassiday Dear FUMC, Thank you so much for your generous love gift. It helped out so much in Chris and my move to Indianapolis. While life is great in Indianapolis, I do miss my Sundays with FUMC! Thank you for all your love & support & again for the love gift. Love, Jessi Bair-Wilkening Dear Members and Friends of UMC, What a lovely Christmas remembrance. I m enjoying them all but best of all was the gift of your friendship. In many ways your church has shown me that I am not forgotten. God s blessing on you all. In God s love, Ann Hunter Dear Friends, Thank you so much for the Christmas gift bag of surprises. It is so nice of you to remember me. Terry Cusack Thank you for remembering my mother this Christmas with the wonderful gift bag. Your thoughtfulness means so much to us. Thank you, Catherine Dawald & family To my FUMC family, Thank you so much for all the prayers, cards, and expressions of sympathy on the death of Terry s brother, Pat Cusack and the death of my father, Eugene Kelley. I was able to talk with Dad shortly before he died and ended by kissing him on the forehead and telling him I love him. He died early in the morning with one of my sisters singing hymns to him. It s always difficult to lose those we love, but I always remind myself that they are not lost. Because of Jesus Christ, I know where they are. Thanks again, Debbie Cusack

5 2013 FINANCIAL REPORT December Approved Budget Monthly Amount Year-to-Date Percentage $364, $30, $364, % December Year-to-Date Income $43, % $394, % Expenses $39, % $369, % Difference $3, $24, GENERAL BUDGET OVERVIEW Beg Balance Income Expense Ending Balance $40, $394, $369, $65, GENERAL BUDGET INCOME December YTD Income YTD Estimate Annual Est. Member Pledges $ 14, $ 276, $ 294, $ 294, % Member Contribution $ 17, $ 65, $ 40, $ 40, % Non-Member Contribution $ 8, $ 22, $ 8, $ 8, % Loose Offering $ $ 5, $ 4, $ 4, % Sunday School Offering $ $ $ $ % Checking Interest $ $ $ $ % Upper Room $ 9.00 $ $ $ % Offering Envelopes $ 5.00 $ $ $ % Building Use $ $ 1, $ 2, $ 2, % 2011 Pledge Payment $ - $ $ $ % Extra Gift Contribution $ 2, $ 21, $ 15, $ 15, % TOTAL $ 43, $ 394, $ 364, $ 364, % GENERAL BUDGET EXPENSES Committee Groups December YTD Expenses Budget Missions $ 1, $ 15, $ 16, % Denomination Ministries $ 4, $ 43, $ 38, % Personnel $ 20, $ 181, $ 181, % Council of Ministries $ 2, $ 15, $ 14, % Building & Grounds $ 8, $ 108, $ 107, % Office Operations $ $ 2, $ 4, % Finance & Stewardship $ $ 2, $ 2, % TOTAL $ 39, $ 369, $ 364, %

6 NON-BUDGET MISSIONS INCOME December Year-to-Date Bishop's /Kids First/Wesley $ $ FISH $ $ Children's Offerings $ 8.90 $ UMCOR Philippines $ $ 1, UMCOR - US Disaster $ $ 2, Kids Frist Day Care $ $ Pastor Heather Love Offering $ 1, Trunk or Treat $ Blessings in a Backpack $ Ken Vance - Chicken Project $ World Vision $ Nothing But Nets $ TOTAL $ 1, $ 7, NON-BUDGET ITEMS INCOME December Year-to-Date Accumulative Memorial $ $ Estate Funds $ 16, $ 18, Choir Group's Performances $ $ Stephens Pastor Relief Fund $ 1, $ 3, Youth Mission Trip $ 5.00 $ 2, UMYF $ Church Maintenance $ 4, $ 176, Kids First Play Ground $ 1, $ 1, Saturday Breakfast $ $ 2, Prepaid 2014 Pledges $ 9, $ 10, UMW BakeLess Sale $ TOTAL $ 33, $ 217, BUILDING COMMITTEE INCOME December Year-to-Date Building Fund Gifts $ (1,803.00) $ 223, Building Fund 2012 Drive $ $ Building Fund 2013 Drive $ $ 15, Chapel - Stain Glass Windows $ $ 2, Chapel - Window Memorial $ 2, Chapel - Assets Sold $ $ 1, Transfer from Chapel Savings $ 12, $ 12, Transfer from Vision's Savings $ 17, $ 31, Transfer Kids First Playground $ 1, Purchase-143 Carroll Street Pr $ 3, TOTAL $ 28, $ 294,590.34

7 SAVING ACCOUNTS INCOME December Year-to-Date BALANCE General Budget Savings $ 7.45 $ $ 29, Pre-Paid Pledges Savings $ 10, $ 10, $ 10, Kids First Playground $ 1, $ 3, $ 4, Pastors Relief Savings $ 4, $ 4, $ 6, Camp Scholarship $ 1.52 $ $ 7, Visions for Generations Sav $ $ 216, $ 184, Adult Mission Trip Savings $ 0.41 $ 5.57 $ 1, Choir Robes Savings $ 2.01 $ $ 9, Accumulative Memorial Sav $ 0.81 $ $ 3, Ford Memorial Library Savings $ 0.21 $ 2.89 $ 1, Estate Savings $ 16, $ 16, $ 16, Chapel Savings $ $ $ 61, UMYF Savings $ $ $ 7, Penrod Education Scholarship $ 1.44 $ $ 6, Adult SS Class Savings $ $ $ Choir Memorial Music Savings $ 0.59 $ 8.00 $ 2, Maintenance Savings $ $ 80, $ 80, TOTAL $ 33, $ 332, $ 435, GOOD NEWS FROM OUR CHURCH TREASURER A couple of years ago, I started my year-end letter with the word WOW, and in 2014 the word wow accurately describes last year. Our January income of $52,300 was our largest January ever, and this extra kick provided the boost we needed to finish the year with a $24,000 cushion. We finished the year evenly split with 6 months of our income greater than expenses and 6 months with the expenses greater than income. And even though we lost a week-end this month of January from the winter storm, it appears we will be close to the $50,000 dollars mark in income. The Church Maintenance line item in the Non-Budget section we use for any repairs not paid by our budget. In 2013 we incurred 3 major repairs to the church, with 2 of them our property insurance company reimbursing us for everything but our deductible (air conditioning, twice), and the third being our (elevator) in which we used the Building & Ground Fund to cover the repairs. The church received an $80,000 anonymous donation for repairs to the outside of our church building, and the trustees voted to allocate these funds towards tuck pointing our church (these funds are in our savings account). The trustee s goal is to have this project completed during the second quarter of this year. The Church has received many wonderful donations towards the Chapel Project including a few very large donations totaling together over $200,000 (now in our Visions saving account), and a donation to cover the cost of the architect fees to produce conceptual drawings for the sanctuary repairs, repairs to our gutters on both the original building and new addition, correcting the heating and cooling issues in the sanctuary, remodeling the south entrance for an secure entrance and office space into Kids First, and designing a new garage for the bus. A special thank you to the families who have made pledges to the Building Fund for Mel Rennaker

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9 February 2014 A = ANNIVERSARY B = BIRTHDAY Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 B-Eric Highley B-John Cook B-Brenda Coble B-Austin Keffaber B-Jonathan Coffey B-Ines Gillespie B-Andrea Bakehorn B-Wayne Rees B-Terry Stewart B-Colleen Boardman B-Carrie Leach B-Ralph Marshall B-Trevor Patton B-Austin England B-Alex Hentgen B-Bob Schmalzried 16 A-Jeff & Whitney Myers B-Kurt Freeman B-Harriet McLaughlin B-Kari Halderman B-Daniel Martin B-Sierra Monroe 19 B-Joel Leach B-Maxine Haist (Feb 29) B-Tina Palmer A-David & Andrea VanCamp B-John Bower B-Stephen Downs B-Richard Ford B-Bob Ogan B-Tobias Flack Natalie Schuler

10 February 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday SUNDAY SCHEDULE 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. Worship Service 9:00 a.m. Teen & Adult Sunday School & Children s Orange Activities 10:15 a.m. Orange Sunday School for Preschool thru 5th Grade following Children s Message (except for first Sunday each month) 1 2 4th Sunday 3 10:00 AMafter Epiphany (White) Item collection for Kids First & FISH (Conf. Rm) 6:15 PM-Pastors (Conf. room) 7:00 PM-Boy 5:30pm-Financial Scouts (Scout Peace (Conf. Rm Room) 9 5th Sunday after Epiphany (Green) 11:05am- Confirmation Group meets 11:30 AM- Club 345 5:30pm- Financial Peace 6-8pm-Youth Progressive Dinner 16 6th Sunday after Epiphany (Green) 4-8pm-Parents Night Out 5:30pm-Financial 10 10:00 AM- 11 (Conf. Rm) 6:15 PM-Pastors (Conf. room) 7:00 PM-Boy Scouts (Scout Room) 7:00 PM- Emmaus Board Meeting 17 10:00 AM- 6:15 PM-Pastors (Conf. room) 7:00 PM-Boy Peace (Conf. Rm Scouts 4 6:00 PM- Wesley Academy Committee (Conference Room) 6:30pm-Kids First Committee (KF area) 6pm-Cub Scout Den Meeting (MAC) 1811am-Red Cross Blood Drive (MAC) 12:30pm- Christian Bookclub (Great Wall) 5 6pm- Why Study (Conference Rm 6:15pm- Handbells (Handbell Rm) 7:15pm-Chancel Choir (Choir Rm) 12 6:15pm- Handbells (Handbell Rm) 7:15pm-Chancel Choir (Choir Rm) 19 6:15pm- Handbells (Handbell Rm) 7:15pm-Chancel Choir (Choir Rm) 6 6:30pm- Why Study (Conf. Rm 13 9:00 AM- Margaret Wilson Circle (Beckett s) 7:15pm-Doris Blake Circle (Gilbert s) Remember your Valentine pm-Cub Scouts Blue & Gold Banquet 23 7th Sunday after Epiphany (Green) 24 10:00 AM- (Conf. Rm) 6:15 PM-Pastors 5:30pm-Financial (Conf. room) Peace (Conf. Rm 7:00 PM-Boy Scouts (Scout Room) 25 6pm-Cub Scout Den Meeting (MAC) 26 6:15pm- Handbells (Handbell Rm) 7:15pm-Chancel Choir (Choir Rm) 27 28