UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

Transcription

1 THE CIRCUIT WRITER Volume 35 Issue 2 February is the month of Valentine s Day and Groundhog s Day, and the two may be more connected than you think. Perhaps you think I am confused, that I am misremembering The Captain and Tennille s song about Muskrat Love, but no, I mean Groundhog s Day, the movie starring Bill Murray and Andie McDowell. Directed by Harold Ramis, the movie, now 21 years old, is the story of a man trapped in time, reliving the same day over and over, until he finds true love. This discovery takes weatherman Phil Conners (Bill Murray) a long time. The same day is relived in the movie at least 40 times, but director Ramis thinks it covers a timeline of eons. In other words, it takes a long, long time for some to break through to love. Phil starts out as a totally self-centered egotistical jerk, interested only in Phil. Sent against his will to cover the weather forecasting rat as he calls it, he grudgingly goes, but can t get out of town soon enough when it is over. It turns out he can t get out at all. Every morning afterwards he wakes up to Groundhog s day all over again. Movie critic Roger Ebert sums it up, so; The movie... is about a man who finds himself living the same day over and over and over again. He is the only person in his world who knows this is happening, and after going through periods of dismay and bitterness, revolt and despair, suicidal self-destruction and cynical recklessness, he begins to do something that is alien to his nature. He begins to learn. Phil begins living each day in all sorts of over-indulgence (food, drink, reckless antics) realizing that every tomorrow will be a do-over and the past will have no bearing. But then he tires of material excess and turns to trying to seduce his co-worker, Rita (played by Andie McDowell). When she never gives in, no matter how many tactics he tries, Phil turns suicidal. But all his repeated attempts at doing himself in only ever wind him up back in bed the next morning, waking up to another Groundhog s Day. Finally, he begins to spend his time helping others in town, first for his own amusement, but then, gradually, in earnest. As he becomes a better man, Rita starts to see Phil as a good and decent man. No longer the object of his crass wooing, she begins to fall for him. The movie ends when he becomes one worthy of caring about and finds true love. The next day Phil wakes to February the Third, and life can go forward. In the book of Ecclesiastes (you knew I d get to the bible at some point) the same purposelessness of self-indulgence is summed up by The Teacher in phrases like All is vanity and a chasing after the wind, and there is nothing new under the sun. Sure enough, the movie only echoes the much older biblical text. After finding both the pursuit of pleasure and wisdom to be futile, Ecclesiastes finally sees that real value is found in reverence, humility, contentment, and the worth of friends. Near the end, The Teacher advises that even those who live many years should enjoy them all. Good advice for the Phil in each of us. There is a Life Application side note in the Wesley Study Bible for Ecclesiastes, saying, in part; Sometimes we live for the wrong reasons and pursue the wrong things.... Giving up what we want and giving in to what God wants, leads to a fulfilling, purposeful life. Use the dozen days between Groundhog s and Valentine s to examine your life. Perhaps true love and freedom from self will come to you when you realize you are truly loved by God and by others. God loves you, and I do too, tom A RECORD OF OUR FAITHFULNESS_ JANUARY 26 TH, 2014 By Our Gifts 2014 Budget income received $1, Budget income needed $3, Budget income weekly (under) $1, Budget income year to date (under) $3, FEBRUARY WORSHIP LEADERS: Liturgist Mary Jane Lifsey Ushers David & Judy Webster Youth Liturgists, Acolytes, and Ushers: Matthew Webb, Clair Webb, Megan Moore, Cody Dove, & Craig Raymond UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS Scouting Sunday Sunday, February 9 th Valentine s Day Friday, February 14 th Presidents Day Monday, February 17 th Men s Breakfast Sunday, February 23 rd at 8:30am Ash Wednesday Wednesday, March 5 th IN MEMORIAM In loving memory of Sally Coppinger contributions were made to the building fund & the Choir loft renovation: The Choir Members Wanda Thurmond Rev. Dickie & Thelma Hinton

2 MONTHLY & WEEKLY CHURCH SCHEDULING Sunday School Sundays at 10:00am Staff Meeting Tuesdays at 9:15am 10:30am Cub Scouts #15 First Monday of each month at 6:00pm Garden Club 2 nd Tuesday of each month at 10:30am Civitan Club 3 rd Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm Standing Stone 4 th Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm AGAPE Chapel Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2:00pm Girl Scouts #1581-First Wednesday of the month at 4:30pm Choir Rehearsal Wednesdays at 6:30pm Discipleship Meetings Fridays at 2:00pm Cub Scouts #15 Fridays at 6:00pm Cottage Ministry Fridays & Saturdays 9:00am-3:00pm Partners in Mission... Thanks to Jeannie Templeton, Manager of Phillips Shoe Store of Monterey, and our own Monterey United Methodist Church, some twenty barefoot youth in Nicaragua will know what it is to have shoes come February. Deborah Wolfe of our congregation is making her second mission trip to Nicaragua; this time, not only carrying mission in her heart, but supplying footwear for the young souls who await her arrival. As Deborah s church family, may we hold her fast in prayer as she represents us and God s love elsewhere in the world. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT THE CIRCUS & MEETING THE RING MASTER! MONTEREY S FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS In an effort to update our records and to include your information in the newsletter, please send the church your birthdays and anniversaries. (Please list the name(s) and date(s) of all in your family who are connected to the church. Thank you!) Nick Axen (2/2) Mary Phelps (2/2) Larry Drysdale (2/5) Dan Sheffler (2/5) Chris Mountain (2/6) Edna Drysdale (2/9) Tyler Draughn (2/9) Pam Gazlay (2/12) Julie Sheffler (2/13) Chelsea Buckner (2/14) John Boswell (2/17) Marion Barwick (2/18) Keelan Milligan (2/18) Jaclyn Wakefield (2/18) Lluuana Simpson (2/18) Ken Wiggins (2/28) THANK YOU ROGER FOR KEEPING OUR AGAPE STUDENTS AND PARENTS SAFE IN THE SNOW NOTE FOR THOUGHT FROM JOHN BARWICK God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

3 TWO NEW FRIENDS ARE EXPLORING MATH & SCIENCE FUN! As you try and stay warm, here are some safety measures to keep in mind at home and on the road. At home -Be sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working. -Don t use stoves, ovens or grills as sources of heat. -When using a space heater be sure to keep anything flammable at least three feet away, such as clothing, bedding, paper or rugs. Also, be sure to turn off and unplug space heaters before leaving the room or going to bed. -Use a glass or metal screen in front of fireplaces to catch sparks of rolling logs. -Protect your pipes by letting the faucets drip, even at a trickle, in order to prevent them from freezing. Also, keep cabinet doors open near pipes to allow warm air to circulate around them. On the road -Check your vehicle s tire pressure, as it can drop with falling temperatures. -Watch the battery. The cold weather can drain the battery and make it more difficult for the vehicle to start. -Keep the gas tank at least half full. -In the event the doors freeze, tap around the edges to break up any ice. Then pull from both the handle and the door s bottom edge to open. -Keep emergency supplies in your vehicle, including blankets, jumper cables, windshield wiper fluid, water, snacks and a flashlight with extra batteries. Copied from The Columbus Dispatch Tuesday January 7, 2014 Sources: Columbia Gas of Ohio, The Weather Channel, AAA LOCAL MISSION OPPORTUNITY In partnering with Habitat for Humanity the members of MUMC can realize a very real opportunity for local mission. In this effort we will find ourselves reaching out, serving beyond the walls of the church. To learn specifically the varied kinds of work that will be available through our upcoming Habitat connection, you may want to attend the Feb. 26 th meeting scheduled for 6:00p.m. in the Welker Room. Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome. Currently, volunteers are needed to work a site in the Cookeville area. Those of you who are ready right now to get started, would not need to wait for the new builds coming to Monterey. Habitat has shared that they have obtained three lots in our community. Habitat s Melissa Parks has invited our congregation members to attend a ground breaking scheduled for Feb. 20 th. We will be making directions available in advance of the event. On Mar. 8 th Habitat will hold a wall raising. It is sincerely hoped that many of our members can be available to help as numerous volunteers are needed on this occasion. Actually, this may prove to be as close to a barn raising that any of us might ever have the opportunity to experience. As volunteers you may find yourself working right alongside the soon to be home owner. Applicants approved to receive a Habitat home spend at least 500 hours of sweat equity in construction of their future home. Additionally, they attend home ownership classes and go through Dave Ramsey s financial planning class. As partners in mission, we will need to truly commit ourselves to the task. As a church, we will also need to make a financial contribution to Habitat. Commissioned by Christ, may we go forth in the world in serving our fellowman while making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Rev. Connie Hall CUB SCOUTS TROOP #15 LOCK IN AT THE METHODIST CHURCH IN COOKEVILLE IN JANUARY

4

5 THE CIRCUIT WRITER Volume 35 Issue 2 Church office: Church church@montereyumc.com Come worship with us at Monterey at 11am The mission of Monterey United Methodist Church is to make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Monterey United Methodist Church 124 North Holly Street Monterey, TN ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

6 Monterey United Methodist Church February 2014 You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (NRSV) Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Micah 6:1-8 Psalm 15 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Matthew 5: :00a-Worship Service :15a-Staff Meeting 4:30p-Girl Scouts # Isaiah 58:1-12 Psalm 112: Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) Matthew 5: :15a-Staff Meeting 10:30a-Garden Club 11:00a-Worship Service 16 President s Day Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Psalm 119:1-8 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Matthew 5: :00a-Music Service 9:15a-Staff Meeting 6:00p-Civitans Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 Psalm 119: Corinthians 3:10-11, Matthew 5: :30am-Men s Breakfast 11:00a-Worship Service 9:15a-Staff Meeting 6:00p-Standing Stone