Somerset UMC Newsletter - The Messenger

Transcription

1 Somerset UMC Newsletter - The Messenger July 2018 Pastor Rev Karen K Walters Somerset UMC East Main Street Somerset, Ohio / church 740/ parsonage kkwalters@outlook.com - pastor s SomersetUnitedMethodistChurch@gmail.com - church - website Avoiding Anxiety, Cultivating Urgency Fear of failure. Fear of closing our doors. Fear of no longer being relevant. Fear of not making the budget. Fear of losing members. Fear of change. Fear of the unknown. Fear seems to be a constant companion for American churches and their leaders these days. Our context for ministry continues to change exponentially. Our culture s regard for institutions of all kinds continues to erode. The program-centered model for doing church proves increasingly ineffective. Shrinking congregations bear the burden of caring for aging facilities. As they face these challenges, some congregations and their leaders are paralyzed by fear and anxiety. Often they turn inward, scrambling for technical solutions, or devolving into conflict. Their reactionary stance can keep them in a vicious, self-focused spiral - unable to pursue or even discern the work God has for them in the world. Even the healthiest of clergy and churches wonder what the future holds. Will the ministries that have worked so well for decades still connect with emerging generations? Will attendance plateaus turn into decline? What new models for ministry are developing and what will it cost to pursue them? The words Do not fear, Fear not, or Do not be afraid appear in scripture at least 100 times - mostly on the lips of prophets, angels, and Jesus. The message could not be more clear! But what would happen if we really believed these words? Do. Not. Fear

2 When churches give up fear and anxiety as their guiding motivation, they are freed up to cultivate urgency around their God-given mission. The same Jesus who says Fear not! also says: The time is coming and is now here (John 4) The kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4) Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6) Keep awake, for you do not know the day or the hour. (Matthew 25) Jesus approached his mission in the world with a deep sense of urgency. There was work to be done to bring God s kingdom into reality on earth. Everything Jesus did - from teaching and healing, to finding solitude to renew his connection to God, to sending out disciples on mission - was rooted in this sense of urgency for doing God s work. Jesus invited his disciples to participate in and continue that work. Indeed, he said, we will do even greater things. If we believe ourselves to be a part of God s big project to redeem all of creation. And, if we trust God to provide what we need - time, resources, energy - to do the things God calls us to do. Then, we can leave fear behind, and with urgency join God s mission in the world. Cultivating a healthy sense of urgency can be an antidote for our tendency toward anxiety. But what are some practical steps toward getting there? * Acknowledge the changing context and our tendency toward responding with fear and anxiety. Believe God's work in the world continues, in the midst of change and challenge. We can watch for God s movement in our own lives, in our congregations, and in our communities. Cultivate a culture of experimentation. We can discern together new ways of being/doing church, redefine failure as an opportunity to grow, take risks to join God s mission in the world. So, let s move past our fears and get to work! Rev. David M. Brown If my people, who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 Sunday School Remember Sunday School is at 9am on Sundays. Evangelism Goal Everyone at SUMC is challenged to pray for at least one unchurched person for at least one minute every day at 1:00 pm. If you cannot possibly pray for one minute at 1:00 pm, you may want to choose another time. The important thing is to pray! After you ve prayed for a person for a few weeks, consider inviting them to worship with you

3 The Christian is not ruined by living in the world but by the world living in him. Help the Pastor As you probably know, the Ohio Legislature passed a bill a few years ago, prohibiting hospitals from providing lists of patients to anyone (including pastors). They no longer call a pastor when you are admitted to the hospital. If you re admitted to the hospital, please have a family member call the pastor (in most cases, a chaplain will call for you too). There is no other way for the pastor to know you are in the hospital, unless you call. It is helpful as well to let the pastor know when you re released - a trip to a hospital following your release takes time away from helping someone else. If you go to a rehab center, the pastor will not know unless you call Rev Walters and let her know. If you d like the pastor to make a call (to your home), please mark the attendance pad or call the office to schedule. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord - not for men. Remember, the Lord will reward you; you will receive what he has kept for his people. For Christ is the real Master you serve. Col 3:23 Office Hours The office hours are Monday-Friday, 9am- 2pm. We will be closed July 4 to celebrate the Independence Day holiday. Said the Robin to the Sparrow, "I should really like to know why these anxious human beings rush about and worry so." Said the Sparrow to the Robin, "Friend, I think it must be they have no Heavenly Father such as cares for you and me." Sign Up! Are you willing to provide flowers for the sanctuary? Please indicate that by signing the flower chart. Live fresh flowers enhance our worship and we appreciate having them. Check out the chart to see which dates are available. Newsletter Articles Please turn your newsletter articles in to Kim Danison by July 25 th. Thanks for helping to make The Messenger more informative and helpful! If you have information people need, be SURE to get it to Kim. Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Ps 119:105 Independence Day Parade The Independence Day Parade in Somerset is Saturday, July 11:00. The Fireworks are the 9:45 pm. Daily prayers lessen daily cares

4 Kroger Plus Card The Kroger Plus Card you have probably had for years will not only give you discounts on food and gasoline purchases but can also give a cash reward to Somerset UMC of up to 5% of your purchases and it costs you nothing. All you have to do is register your Kroger Plus card with Somerset UMC. It's simple and takes just a few minutes. Please note: this must be renewed each year. If you did not renew during April, you are not registered. There are only a handful of folks currently registered. To connect your card to Somerset, go to Kroger.com, sign in then go to 2 nd line of options and choose Savings & Rewards and choose Kroger Community Rewards. Enter the Somerset UMC number: Now each time you swipe your card, Somerset UMC will receive a donation. Some churches have raised as much as $10,000/year through this program so thank you for supporting your church in this way! If you have trouble with this, come in to the office and we ll help you register your card (be sure to bring it with you!) "Fear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 Mission Opportunity Due to the extremely heavy rains in the Hocking County area June 21, there have been numerous homes devastated by flooding. Foothills District Emergency Response Team Coordinator, Roger Thatcher is looking for volunteers to help with the clean-up process. The American Red Cross has been doing case work. The EMA Director advised there will be muck outs, dry wall removal and debris removal and then recovery work. There are about 12 houses which need some work. Contact for this is Roger Thatcher rogerthatcher48@gmail.com He will make arrangements for you to help in Haydenville, Ohio. This is a very important project as there are some elderly people who cannot complete this work themselves. Hocking County is just south of Lancaster, Ohio, north of Athens County. Haydenville, Ohio is between Nelsonville and Logan, Ohio This is a great opportunity for carrying out the mission of Jesus Christ locally in a very practical way. For more information or to get questions answered, contact Roger Thatcher. Be patient with the faults of others; they have to be patient with yours. Yard Sale We are having a yard sale! Please begin setting aside nice, slightly used items for a church yard sale August We are hoping to raise funds for the roof. We desperately need to replace the roof over the sanctuary as with each rain, the water

5 simply pours in. We are planning to have an ice cream social with the sale to increase traffic. Please prayerfully consider what you can donate and when you can be present to help with the sale. Prayer Chain We have new prayer chain in the church. To start the chain, call or the pastor who sends out texts/ s to those who want them. We have a handful of folks without the ability to receive texts and s so we have one of the folks receiving an designated to begin the phone part of the chain. If you think you should be receiving prayer requests and are not, please call the pastor. The quickest way to get on the list is to text the word Prayer to If you want s instead of text, the pastor. Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer! Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can. 2 Chronicles 7:14 2 Chron. 7:14 says: If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. I am convinced we must pray for our nation and its leaders and ask for forgiveness. So I ask you to join me in this plea to our Lord. Let me just add a quote from Ronald Reagan If we ever forget we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under. Most people have forgotten we are one nation under God! Let us as Christians stand up and remind people of this. June Numbers June $4377 June $ June $2718 June $2517 Nature forms us. Sin deforms us. School informs us. But only Christ transforms us. Independence Day This year marks 232 years since our Founding Fathers gave us our National Birth Certificate. We continue to be the longest on-going Constitutional Republic in the history of the world. Blessings such as these are not by chance or accidental. They are blessings of God. On July 2, 1776, Congress voted to approve a complete separation from Great Britain. Two days afterwards July 4 th the early draft of the Declaration of Independence was signed, albeit by only two individuals at that time: John Hancock, President of Congress, and Charles Thompson, Secretary of Congress. Four days later, on July 8, members of Congress took that document and read it aloud from the steps of Independence

6 Hall, proclaiming it to the city of Philadelphia, after which the Liberty Bell was rung. The inscription around the top of that bell, Leviticus 25:10, was most appropriate for the occasion: Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof. To see the turmoil in other nations, their struggles and multiple revolutions, and yet to see the stability and blessings we have here in America, we may ask how has this been achieved? What was the basis of American Independence? John Adams said The general principles on which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. Perhaps the clearest identification of the spirit of the American Revolution was given by John Adams in a letter to Abigail the day after Congress approved the Declaration. He wrote her two letters on that day; the first was short and concise, jubilant the Declaration had been approved. The second was much longer and more pensive, giving serious consideration to what had been done that day. Adams cautiously noted: This day will be the most memorable epic in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It is amazing that on the very day they approved the Declaration, Adams was already foreseeing their actions would be celebrated by future generations. Adams contemplated whether it would be proper to hold such celebrations, but then concluded the day should be commemorated but in a particular manner and with a specific spirit. As he told Abigail: It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. John Adams believed the Fourth of July should become a religious holiday a day when we remembered God s hand in deliverance and a day of religious activities when we committed ourselves to Him in solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. Such was the spirit of the American Revolution as seen through the eyes of those who led it, evidenced even further in the words of John Quincy Adams, one who was deeply involved in the activities of the Revolution. Take a minute and pray this 4 th of July Outreach Team News The Outreach Team wants to thank everyone who donated water and their time to make Judge Cooperrider s movie stop at the Somerset Park a success on June 7. People greatly appreciated the water to go along with the popcorn and chips. What a wonderful evening we had serving our community and supporting the efforts of our juvenile court system to reach young people. We are still making plans for our next outreach event. Stay tuned! Prayer Request Please pray... * for holy zeal in our church * thank God for the faithfulness of our church and the wonderful ways God has worked and moved in our midst in the years we ve been on the corner of Main and High

7 * for renewed commitment to lift up Jesus in all we do * for every believer in our congregation to move to new places of maturity and to a deeper commitment to personal spiritual growth * that we will be a mission outpost for all the folks in our community who do not know Jesus. * that each member of our church will have a renewed passion for sharing Jesus with those who do not know him, remembering that anyone who does not have Jesus as Lord will not enjoy heaven at the end of their life. May we be passionate about bringing people out of the jaws of hell and into the loving arms of God Annual Conference Summary Bold testimonies, powerful worship and candid conversations were the focus of the 2018 West Ohio Annual Conference, June 3-6 at Lakeside on the shore of Lake Erie. Bishop Gregory V. Palmer presided over the conference under the theme, Be Not Afraid, There Is Enough! Palmer acknowledged the angst and anxiety of church members as the denomination moves toward the February 2019 special session of the General Conference, where delegates will decide on legislation specific to human sexuality. Just when we get to that point of weariness is exactly the wrong time to stop building our relationships, listening to our stories, increasing our capacity, and opening our hearts to one another and refusing to unhitch ourselves from each other, he said. Palmer led conference members in small-group discussions regarding human sexuality, including their dreams for the church and prayers for the West Ohio General Conference delegates. The Rev. Zan Wesley Holmes Jr., pastor emeritus of St. Luke Community United Methodist Church in Dallas, and the Rev. Lou Seiple, lead pastor at Stonybrook United Methodist Church in Gahanna, were the guest preachers. This year, the conference brought Fear Less segments, which allowed individuals to share their experiences with addiction, racism, gun violence and disaster response. CONFERENCE BUSINESS During times of holy conferencing, members: Passed the 2019 Budget of $20,065,646, nearly $2.25 million less than in 2018, a 10% reduction. Every conference and district budget will rely on less support from apportionments. Passed a Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits recommendation that is largely consistent with past years. Passed an increase of 2% for recommended minimum salaries for pastors, deacons and elders; this is in line with the national guidelines for the cost-of-living increase for Approved a vacation policy that set standards for vacation days, clarified continuing education time away, and encouraged self-care through regular Sabbath. Approved a recommendation that rescinded investment restrictions placed on the conference by the 2011 Annual Conference and encourages all United Methodist investors to use human rights records as an important basis for evaluating investment decisions. Passed the recommendation calling for clergy and congregations of West Ohio to support United Methodists and churches within the conference that provide material, legal and

8 spiritual services to refugees and immigrants and to support congregations who, abiding by legal decisions of the court, provide temporary sanctuary to individuals or families. GENEROSITY The conference paid 100 percent of its apportionment commitment for the sixth consecutive year. George Howard of the General Board of Global Ministries presented the conference with four awards. West Ohio is leading the denomination in giving to Mission Initiatives and Global Health and is one of the top conferences in giving to U.S. Disasters and Mission Together. Light the Way is a focused plan to develop new faith communities and increase the number of highly vital existing congregations. An offering of $100,800 was collected, bringing the total of gifts and pledges to $2,171,415. Statistical reports showed the following: Membership 155,691, down 4% from the previous year; Worship attendance 96,717, down 3% Church school attendance 28, 933, up 7% Professions/reaffirmations of faith 3,397, down 6% Adults and young adults in small groups 101,349, down 3% Worshipers engaged in mission 50,578, up 12% WOC churches served 2,397,613 people with ministries of outreach, justice and mercy. This reflects an increase of 26% Palmer said he would hold several gatherings throughout the conference this autumn. Entitled I Believe in the Church: A Time of Inspirational Worship, Teaching and Testifying, the sessions are open to all West Ohio United Methodists. I believe in the church, the bishop concluded. I believe in the church not because it s perfect, but because it is of God. Tell the pallbearers to stand down. God is not done with the church. If you'd like to see the worship services or other parts of annual conference, you can find them at: Go to your Bible regularly. Open it prayerfully. Read it expectantly. Live it joyfully! Communion We will celebrate Communion July 1. Thank you to Sharon Wise, our communion steward. 10:00am Service Volunteers Thank you for volunteering to serve: Teri Painter - Liturgist Ushers & Greeters Painters Smile (In a bulletin): The Seniors' group is sponsoring a picnic this Saturday. Each person is asked to bring a friend, a vegetable, or a dessert in a covered dish

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