The Messenger. First United Methodist Church. July/August Wellsville, NY WELLSVILLE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Transcription

1 The Messenger July/August 2016 First United Methodist Church Wellsville, NY God s love grows here... Through Worship, Bible Study, and Service WELLSVILLE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH God s Love Grows Here... Through Worship, Bible Study and Service FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 79 MADISON STREET WELLSVILLE, NY (585) LOVEGROWS@WELLSVILLEUMC.ORG CHANGED SERVICE REQUESTED

2 First United Methodist Church of Wellsville July 3rd - August 28th Summer Worship Service ~ 9:45 am Songs in 9:30 am Phone (585) Fax (585) UPCOMING EVENTS: Sunday, July 3 Summer worship begins, 9:45 AM; All are welcome to come at 9:30 AM for songs in preparation. Wednesday-Friday, July 6-8 Vacation Bible School, Planting God s Kingdom 6-8 PM, Ages 4-12, Call to register. Saturday, July 9 Rock the Tarmac, Wellsville Municipal Airport, Gates open at 3:30 PM, Show begins at 5:00 PM Saturday, July 16 Wellsville Balloon Rally Main Street Festival Sunday, July 17 Men s 7:30 AM; All men & boys welcome! Monday-Saturday, July Allegany County Fair Booth Ministry Sunday-Saturday, July Family Bible Findley Camp & Retreat Center See brochures in the foyer for more information. Friday, August 19 September Messenger Articles Due Wednesday, August 17 Annual Men s Steak Island Park; watch Sunday bulletins for more information. lovegrows@wellsvilleumc.org Web Page: Serving Christ and Community Since 1852 Our Staff: Pastor Rev. Gregory DeSalvatore Office Manager Mrs. Kim Smith Traditional Music Dir. & Organist.... Ms. Joy Caldwell Church Custodian Mrs. Mary Brown Contemporary Music Dir To Be Determined WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES Tuesday Mornings: Women s Bible 9:15 AM in the Welcome Room/Library Love In Action study from the book of Mark began June 14 Books $7.25, See Connie Brandes for a book or more information. Wednesday Nights: The Lost Art of Praying 6:30 PM, Led by Joy Caldwell Friday Mornings: Men s Bible 9:00 AM in the Welcome Room/ Library Continuing the study of the book of John

3 A Lesson in Freedom Love...does not seek its own. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-5 NKJV Have you ever pondered the incredible delight of a negative freedom not a license to do something, but a freedom from something? Do you know what a joy it is to realize there are some things you do not have to do? Perhaps the most thrilling of these neglected freedoms is that of not having to have one s own way. There is no greater slavery than that which insists you must have your own way or try very hard to get your own way in every situation. Nothing in the world destroys human relationships more quickly and more completely than this bondage to one s own wishes. This tyranny pollutes marriages, friendships, and parent-child relationships. The Word of God is very clear that we can be liberated from it. When the apostle Paul states in 1 Corinthians 13 that love is not self seeking, he is dealing with this insistence on fulfilling our own agendas. At the core of sin is my own self-will and demand that I get what I want. If I am to be a Christian, I must settle in my life once and for all that the law of my life is not my will, but Christ s will. His will has to be supreme, and that means that my will has to be crucified. The Lord Jesus allows us to be wrong so many times in life in order to find out whether we can live without having to get our own way. We are wrong often enough that we ought to know we should never insist on our way unless it is divinely clear that it is God s will we are seeking and not our own. It is surprising what healing and growth can occur in human relationships when we reach the place where we can bow to others and above all bow to Christ. In the days ahead, let each choose well from that which stands before us, that in all things, God may be glorified. And may we ever be thankful for the freedom to choose Christ and not our own way. OUTREACH/MISSION NEWS This article is devoted to some reminders regarding opportunities for our church body to demonstrate its collective "heart for servant hood." On Saturday, July 16th, the annual Balloon Rally street fest on Main Street offers the opportunity to distribute ice-cold water to the folks in attendance (as well as their four-legged family members). We will also be offering religious materials and religiousthemed gifts for the children in the crowd. Look for the sign-up sheet in the church entry way and join us for a time of Christian fellowship and outreach. The week of July 18-23, the Allegany County Fair will be in full swing. Again this year, the Methodist churches in the county will be hosting a booth where ice-cold water, gifts for children and religious materials for all will be distributed. If you are interested in being part of this ministry for an afternoon or evening during fair week, please contact Max Shay who is heading up this effort. The Outreach/Mission team will be fabricating lap quilts to be distributed to our homebound and shut-in members at Christmas time. If you have some cotton material to contribute to this effort, please leave it with Kim in the office and she will make sure it gets to our quilters. We fabricated similar quilts several years ago and they brought great joy to our shut-ins. You will not want to miss this opportunity to brighten the Christmas season for some of our treasured members. In the June Messenger, we mentioned an effort to collect school supplies for distribution to students within the Wellsville school district for use in the school year. The final list of needed items has been provided to us by the agency heading up this effort. We will be including this listing as an insert to the church bulletin during July. Please look for the supply listing and help out if you are able. As always we thank you for your participation in our church's Outreach/Mission ministries. If you have ideas for future or expanded ministries, please share them with a member of the Outreach/Mission team. Bryan Caldwell Seeking God s path alongside you, I remain, Pastor Greg

4 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL July 6-8 Vacation Bible School will challenge the kids to think about I Corinthians 3: 7,9- How do we water and plant to grow God s kingdom? Again we are planting and harvesting vegetables this year thanks to Chuck Brocious we have a third bed, and thanks to Shawn Lehman we have donated topsoil for it. Jim Leonard re-installed the water barrel, and we re ready to grow in the soil as well as the Spirit. Activities will include helping the kids make their own healthy snacks like ants on a hill, frozen banana ice cream, and maybe some kale chips. Any other ideas contact Sharlet Fuller. Last year s VBS was a relaxed and rewarding experience where the adults got to know each kid personally and made friendships in Jesus name that will surely plant God s love in young hearts. We pray that even more kids will be touched this year. Sharlet Fuller, Ed. Chair FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH BUDGET UPDATE MAY YTD Operating Budget Income $ 17,261 $ 75,712 Expenses: Pastor s Package $ 7,299 $ 37,160 Other Staff $ 3,614 $ 18,134 Maintenance & Supplies $ 964 $ 5,037 Teams $ 312 $ 1,536 Ministry Shares $ 1,000 $ 7,200 All Other Expenses $ 2,943 $ 9,460 Total Expenses: $ 16,132 $ 78,527 Income less Expenses $ 1,129 $ (2,815) UNITED METHODIST MEN Greetings from UMM! Many thanks for the delicious cookies the men received on Father's Day. It was very thoughtful of Bonnie to bake them. By way of reminders, all the men of our Church are invited to the Men's Bible Study Friday mornings at 9 am. Our next breakfast will be Sunday July 17th at 7:30 am. Pastor Greg, Darrin and Allen are cooking. Plans are underway for the August steak bake. The date and more information will be coming soon. In the meantime there are openings to serve at the Balloon Rally Street Fair on Saturday, July 16th and at the County Fair during the week of July 18th to July 23rd. Please sign up now. UMM, where all men and boys are welcome. Blessings to you all! Alan and Bryan TRIPLE L (Living Longer & Liking It!) We met at noon with 24 in attendance and had a picnic luncheon with the hot dogs, hamburgers and all the accoutrements plus the wonderful dishes of salads, veggies, deviled eggs, fruits and dessert. Gloria & Max set up tables decorated in red, white and blue with American flags that would remind us of the July 4th holiday coming up very soon. We had some chuckles over the reading of some material by Gloria as there was no official program. Max reminded us of the activities coming up in July which included the Balloon Rally Main St. Festival in Wellsville and the Fair Ministry in Angelica, which our church has participated for many years. We should be thinking about signing up to assist in these endeavors. As usual Triple L will not meet in July & August, but will begin again in September, hopefully, if someone is willing to host it. For a report on finances, we took up a collection to help pay for the meat, buns, etc. $56 was donated and added to our former balance for a total of $84. From that we paid Giant $44.09, which leaves a balance of $ Thanks to Diane & Alan Forsberg and Chuck Brocious for grilling the meat. Thanks also to everyone who helped clean up and to Pastor Greg for the opening prayer. Submitted by Gloria Shay.

5 An Encouraging Note from Dot James... If the United States didn t have the covenant with Jesus, it would be doomed. This is the only nation in history that was formed by people who love God for the purpose of being free to worship Him and He will never forget it! 1 John 5:4&5 In Agape Love, Dot James Library Update January June 2016 Since my fall in January, it has taken me six months to be able to use the computer. It is a wrist and hand thing. Will update for this half of the year. There were 77 books entered into the Library. Books were donated by the following: 3 books by Eila Shea (one re-entered) 3 books by Barb Stormer 14 books by Betty Stolls 29 books by Joan Smith and Sue Browning 28 books left as donations on my desk If I missed someone please let me know as I appreciate every book donated. The Prayer Bears increased in size. Seven Prayer Bears were donated in this last two months. Bears were donated by Linda Fanton, Connie Brandes and Rita Borne. A number of Prayer Bears have been given out for persons who have been sick. Please remember if you have a family member, friend or know of someone who could use a Prayer Bear while in the hospital or at home, let me or Kim in the church office know, and we will get you one. Remember to stop in the Welcome Room for a cup of coffee, tea or juice, plus maybe a sweet or two. Any donations are welcome. A great place to meet and chat with other members of the Church. A heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to Naomi Circle for the $100 donation to the Library. Sue Browning July July 3rd, In Honor of Whitney & Courtney Cornell s Wedding July 10th, In Memory of Madeline B. White July 17th, In Honor of Ginny LaForge s Birthday, given by Kevin LaForge July 24th, In Honor of Our Family, given by Roy & Polly Lucas July 31st, In Memory of Mr. & Mrs. E. D. Standard & Cindy Standard August August 7th, In Honor of Our Birthdays, given by John & Nitia Cole August 14th, In Loving Memory of Adam & Bud Stitely, Happy Birthday in Heaven!, given by Paula Stitely & Family August 21st, Given by David & Marianne Scoins August 28th, Given by Bryan & Barbara Caldwell Greeters: July Paula Stitely August John & Kathryn Gilbert Counters: July Michele Barry & Alan Forsberg August Darrin Cornell & Max/Gloria Shay

6 FUMC JULY PRAYER LIST: 1 Those Sick/Hospitalized/Homebound 2 Pastor Greg 3 Bonnie & Family 4 Veterans, Those Currently Serving & Their Families 5 Vacation Bible School (July 6-8) 6 Jail Ministry 7 Trad. Music Dir./Organist (Joy) 8 Rock the Tarmac Concert (July 9) 9 Pastor Greg 10 Bonnie & Family 11 Women s Bible Study 12 Custodian (Mary) 13 Jail Ministry 14 Office Manager (Kim) 15 Balloon Rally Festival Outreach (July 16) 16 Pastor Greg 17 Bonnie & Family 18 Allegany County Fair Ministry (July 18-23) 19 Youth for Christ & Gil s Hills 20 Jail Ministry 21 Those Experiencing Loss 22 Men s Bible Study 23 Pastor Greg 24 Bonnie & Family 25 Church Families 26 AA, NA, ACA Participants 27 Jail Ministry 28 Choir & Praise Team 29 Church Volunteers 30 Pastor Greg 31 Bonnie & Family FUMC AUGUST PRAYER LIST: 1 Women s Bible Study 2 Those Sick/Hospitalized/Homebound 3 Jail Ministry 4 AA, NA, ACA Participants 5 Men s Bible Study 6 Pastor Greg 7 Bonnie & Family 8 Youth for Christ & Gil s Hills 9 Custodian (Mary) 10 Jail Ministry 11 Choir & Praise Team 12 Trad. Music Dir./Organist (Joy) 13 Pastor Greg 14 Bonnie & Family 15 Church Volunteers 16 Financial Stability of the Church 17 Jail Ministry 18 Church Families 19 Office Manager (Kim) 20 Pastor Greg 21 Bonnie & Family 22 Committed Prayer Warriors 23 Revival in Our Community 24 Jail Ministry 25 Committed Prayer Warriors 26 Sunday School Teachers 27 Pastor Greg 28 Bonnie & Family 29 Healing of Broken Relationships 30 Those Experiencing Loss 31 Jail Ministry

7 An Important Financial Note: Thank you for all the ways in which you and your family contribute to our mission here at WFUMC. As many of you are aware, we were unable to pay 100% of our ministry shares for 2015, and in response to Bishop Mark Webb s request for all those church families likewise challenged, we are engaged to envision, prepare, and publish a multi-year plan for returning to shouldering our full share. We ask in prayer for guidance and your continuing faithful contributions in whatever ways God may lead you. Please remember to maintain your financial support for all our ministries throughout the summer months. It is easy in the midst of your time away, vacations, etc. to unknowingly allow this priority to shift and thereby undermine our progress toward where God would have us be. May the extravagant grace of our loving God embrace you throughout these next weeks of summer! Upper NY Annual Conference Notes: In concluding our Annual Conference in Syracuse the first weekend of June, Bishop Mark Webb has re-appointed Pastor Greg for another year: July 1, 2016 June 30, Details of other changes and legislation are viewable online at events/annual-conference, or by picking up the summary event sheets in the church entryway outside the Welcome Room/Library. JULY BIRTHDAYS 1 Walt Dennis 1 Herb Vaugn 11 Joanne Allen 13 Linda Austin 17 Ginny LaForge 20 Art Lovel 24 Guy Milligan 28 Rita Borne 29 Dan Fuller 29 David Fuller AUGUST BIRTHDAYS 2 Doris MacFarquhar 6 John Cole 11 Phyllis Dennis 15 Richard Black 16 Paula Stitely 25 Beth Farwell 27 Larry Crear For the months of July and August Weekly Worship Service on Sunday Morning at 9:45 AM You are welcome to arrive 15 min. before the service begins as we sing in preparation. AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES 1 Kevin & Ginny LaForge 2 Pat & Michele Barry 16 Alan & Diane Forsberg 17 Dan & Sharlet Fuller 17 Gary & Anne Barnes