THE MESSENGER. S E N I O R Pa s t o r w r i t e s...

Transcription

1 THE MESSENGER S o u t h e r n h i l l s u n i t e d m e t h o d i s t c h u r c h O C T O B E R S E N I O R Pa s t o r w r i t e s... WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU? November 13 will be the date of our Commitment Sunday services, when the people of Southern Hills will be invited to make their faith commitments in support of the projected budget for Our theme this year is What Does the Lord Require of You? based on the words of Micah 6:8: what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? God has given us everything that we have, including our material possessions, because of His kindness and generosity. This verse provides us with the correct response. We want to be people who willingly give, serve and love with joy and gratitude out of the abundance of all that has been entrusted to us. Sooner or later, you ll discover it. It s not some new math, some twisted form of algebra, or even a modified version of addition and subtraction; instead, it s often described as God math, and it defies all sorts of human logic. It works like this: You give money to the church or to someone in need, even though you don t really have it to give. You make a sacrifice. God then does a miraculous thing: Since you ve done his business, He takes care of yours. You find that your own need is satisfied, sometimes in a surprising way. Anne Frank summed it up when she wrote: No one has ever become poor by giving. Did you ever wonder why? It could be that the practice of Extravagant Generosity with our finances allows us to be rich in faith. The more we see God math in our own lives, the more confident we become that God really will meet all of our needs. Besides all that, though, giving regular tithes and offerings demonstrates to God that we consider Him more important than we consider money. It keeps us from allowing money to become an idol in our lives. Have you ever thought about it that way? The truth is, God doesn t need our cash even if it does help fund church programs and ministries. What he really wants is our hearts. He wants us to turn to him and say, Whatever I have, it s yours. Consider this Scripture verse: What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me? Psalm 116:12 (NLT) It reminds us that we can never pay back God for his great gifts to us. One thing we can do, however, is cheerfully set aside a portion of our income every week. The Biblical standard is the tithe, or ten percent. If this is a difficult decision at this time, consider Growing One Step in your giving in One way to get to the goal is to increase a few percent each year until you reach the ten percent objective. It will show God that you re serious about putting Him first and it will continue to give Him opportunities to supply your every need, just as he promised He would. We hope you will join us in faithfully considering how we can work together at Southern Hills to project a strong and healthy budget, trusting God for our shared future together. Let s have a great Commitment Sunday on November 13! Bill SERMONS IN TRADITIONAL WORSHIP October 2: God's Answer to Fearing the Future," Psalm 23:6 October 9: "More Than Just Showing Up," Matthew 25:1-13 October 16: Laity Sunday- Lay Leader, John Adams, presiding Sermon Series: " What Does the Lord Require of You?" October 23: "Do No Harm," Matthew 25:14-30 October 30: "Do Good", Rev. Jill Ruhl, preaching November 6: "Stay in Love with God," Luke 6:37-38 November 13: Commitment Sunday- "What Does the Lord Require of You?", Micah 6:8 1

2 KRISTINA WHITE - Children s ministry PRAY FOR ME MINISTRY FAMILIES: We are going to be starting a Pray For Me ministry within Children s Ministry to connect some of our members of the church to the children. What this will entail is getting basic information about your child (see below) and putting that on a card to give to those members who have signed up to be a part of this. I will also print an extra one for you to give to someone in the church who you d like have praying for your child. Throughout the year, your child will be prayed for and will be encouraged through notes and maybe a small gift. If you would like your child or children to participate in this, please send me the following information: Name, Address, Age, Birthday, Parents/Guardians names, Things they like about school: (recess is an acceptable answer), Things they like about church, Any food allergies, And a picture of them. You can these to me and I will print them out.kwhite@southernhillsumc.org CONGREGATION: We need members of the congregation to be prayer buddies for our children. We want our children to know that our church cares about them! If you would like to be a part of this ministry by being the prayer buddy for a child, please send your Name, Address, Address and Phone Number to me or call me at the church. kwhite@southernhillsumc.org OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Amazingly enough, it s that time of year, again! The boxes will be available soon so that you can start packing, but go ahead and start collecting your items! The children and youth will be having a packing party on Wednesday, November 2 nd at 6:30! The whole church is invited to join us for that! We will pray over the boxes on Sunday, November 6 th during all three services! If you would like to donate items to the packing party, we would gladly welcome 1. Bars of soap; 2. New washcloths; 3. Small tools (no knives, please); 4. Toothbrushes and toothpaste; 5. Basic school supplies (paper, pencils, scissors) 6. Re-useable, plastic cups (great for collecting rice) If you need help with ideas that can go in the boxes, go here : operation-christmas-child/what-goes-in-my-shoebox-suggestions/ Room in the Inn Is Seeking Great Volunteers for Beginning Sunday, Oct. 23, Room in the Inn will have a table in the Education foyer to encourage Southern Hills and Christ Church UMC members to become a part of the volunteer wing of RITI to help with set-up, meals, overnight hosting, Sunday clean -up, laundry, and evening hosts for our 13th season. We provide Christian fellowship, a safe and warm place to sleep for the night, as well as supper, Sunday breakfast, and a sack lunch for up to 14 homeless male guests each Saturday night during the cold winter months ahead. From 5 p.m. Saturday to Sunday around 6:30 a.m., Dec. 3, 2016-March 11, 2017, our Activities Building doors will be open with preparations for our overnight guests. We would love to have as many of you as possible to help with this volunteer community commitment: from the financial expense for preparing, delivering, and/or serving a meal, to the time it takes to set up sleeping mattresses, towels, and bedding, to washing mattress pads at home and bringing them back to the church by the next Thursday, to transporting men from and back to downtown Lexington in our church van, to becoming a male supervisory overnight host, a Sunday clean-up committee member, or to being an evening host. This project is a wonderful way to serve the church and the community and to be a part of more than 20 Greater Lexington area churches who proudly offer these overnight services for more than weeks each winter season. Our booth will be signing up volunteers Sunday, Oct. 23- Sunday, Nov. 20 or you may call Bev Jaquith, (859) to select a specific date or position in which you would like to serve. Families, circles, small groups, scouts, youth groups, men s groups, and individuals are always welcome! We have spots for everyone! During part of this time, we will also be offering great holiday gifts of woodworking items (cutting boards and picture frames) for sale that our RITI guests have been making through the RITI 6 Treasures Ministry at Centenary United Methodist Church. Prices will range from $15- $40. Unfortunately, no credit cards will be accepted, just cash or checks. 2

3 School is back in session and that means it is time to get backpacks for Arlington Elementary going again! We pack twice a month, once a month on a Thursday morning, and once on a Tuesday evening. All packing takes place in the basement at Embrace Church on N. Limestone (across from Arlington Elementary) and usually lasts about an hour from packing time. If you are interested in volunteering and would like to be added to the list, please notify Lyn Bracken at 2brackens@gmail.com or call You only come when you can. Also, we are looking for volunteers to join our food delivery team. We meet at Sams Club on New Circle Road to load up food and deliver it to Embrace Church. This usually takes hours. DATES FOR 2016 Mornings (10:00 for set-up, packing begins at 10:30) **Wednesday October 5th (no school Th/F Oct. 6/7) Thursday, November 2nd Thursday, December 1st Evenings (5:30 for set up, packing beings at 6:00) Tuesday, October 18th Tuesday, November 15th Food Delivery (4:00 Sams Club on New Circle Rd) Tuesday, October 18th (4 weeks of food) Tuesday, November 16th (6 weeks of food) Our Christmas Blessing Bags will be handed out in church early December and collected on December 11th. Packing dates for 2017 will be posted at a later date. WEDNESDAY EVENING MEALS AND ACTIVITIES Our Wednesday night fellowship dinners are served from 5:30-6:15 p.m. in Herren hall. We are excited to enjoy this fellowship time together and hope that you will join us and take the opportunity to get to know each other around the tables. The menu is posted weekly in the bulletin and we ask that you please make a reservation so we can plan for the right amount of food each week. Donations are suggested to help cover the meal cost. If you are able to help out on a Wednesday night, please let me know. We would love for groups to volunteer to help with food prep or cleanup. We also welcome suggestions for menu or themes for our Wednesday night meal. Please contact Brian Cathey at rbcathey@southernhillsumc.org or call the church at (859) October 5th October 12th October 19th October 26th MENUS FOR OCTOBER No Meal Fayette County Fall Break Baked Potato Bar & Salad Bar Pizza and Salad Fuente de Avivamiento Fundraiser Dinner and Worship Posole Blanco (White Corn Soup) Michiotesde Pollo (Chicken in Red Sauce) Rice and Beans (The food is not spice, but will be served with homemade hot sauce for those who like spice.) Light the Night - Halloween Block Parties On Halloween evening, Southern Hills is moving out into the neighborhood to share God s love with our community. On Trick-or-Treat night, we will host block parties, one on the edge of the church parking lot for our neighbors, and the other at the home of Boo and Jessica Morrow. We will be offering fun games, activities and treats. There are two ways that you can help us meet our neighbors! First, we need volunteers who are willing to help set up at the locations and serve as Southern Hills liaisons to the neighborhoods. These volunteers will facilitate the activities and warmly greet families as they stop by. Second, we need candy donations so that we can love extravagantly with gift bags, and also supplies to make s mores (chocolate bars, marshmallows and graham crackers). Please place any donations in the bins located in the main foyer. Thank you for partnering with us in reaching our community! 3

4 Rev. Joan Wooden ~ Director of Music and Worship SPIRITUALITY AND MENTAL HEALTH Sponsored by Southern Hill s Mental Health Ministry As Christians, we re often taught that mental illness and spirituality don t reside in the same body. Those that struggle with stress, depression, worry, and anxiety feel guilty that our faith doesn t totally fix these feelings. Join us on November 9, 2016 in the Bonus Room following the Fellowship Dinner from 6:30 7:30 as we discuss spirituality and mental health. Our speaker and facilitator will be Michael Sibley, Chaplain at Eastern State Hospital. MONTHLY TAIZÉ SERVICE Our monthly Taizé Service of Prayer and Holy Communion will be held on Wednesday, October 19 th at 6:15 p.m. in the sanctuary. This special service of singing, scriptures, prayers and meditation is led by lay people from our dedicated and talented Southern Hills family. The sacrament of Holy Communion will be offered by Rev. Jill Ruhl. All are welcomed! CORNERSTONE CHORALE & BRASS COMING TO SOUTHERN HILLS! Please mark your calendars and plan to attend an outstanding and unique choral concert that will be held in our sanctuary on Saturday, November 5 th at 7:00 p.m. Bruce Vantine s Cornerstone Chorale & Brass, a widely acclaimed professional touring ensemble, will present a new production, They Shall Mount Up With Wings, featuring a unique combination of traditional choral and instrumental music with narration woven together with newly composed musical themes. This choir comes highly recommended. New York music critic Ken Smith wrote of Cornerstone s Lincoln Center performance: The Cornerstone Chorale & Brass is a top-notch ensemble with a high level of musicianship. Vantine s 20 singers are superb, worthy of any studio New York critic Barrett Cobb wrote of Cornerstone s Carnegie Hall performance: Part church service, part Passion play, part concert, this program assumes a unique form the audience loved it! There is no cost for the concert, but a love offering will be taken to help offset some of their costs. Please join us, and invite your friends! JOIN ONE OF OUR CHOIRS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON! Southern Hills has a wide variety of musical opportunities for all ages, and ALL of our groups are open to new members! If you would like to make a short-term commitment to one of our choirs or ensembles for the Advent and Christmas seasons, please feel free to join us! October is the month where we begin to focus on this beautiful music, and we would love to have you. Please check the weekly calendar for rehearsal times, or contact Joan Wooden (jwooden@southernhillsumc.org) for more information. FUENTE DE AVIVAMIENTO OFFERS UNIQUE BILINGUAL WORSHIP EXPERIENCE On Wednesday, October 26 th at 6:15 p.m., the praise band and one of the pastors from Fuente de Avivamiento UMC will lead us in a unique bilingual worship experience. In addition to singing, there will be preaching in both languages. This vibrant congregation is considered the fastest growing Hispanic United Methodist congregation in the United States, and it is located right here in Lexington! The service will take place in our sanctuary, immediately following dinner. Please make plans to attend. SAVE THE DATE! Our annual Festival of Christmas service will take place on Wednesday, December 14 th at 6:30 p.m. Please mark your calendars for this exciting musical celebration of Christmas! The dedication for this year s Habitat House is set for October 9th at 4:00 p.m. Again, many thanks to those who contributed to this important mission. The house is located at 725 Millbank Road (Brookfield Chase Subdivision). 4

5 SECOND CAMPUS UPDATE The Lead Team for our second campus has formed, and we have convened our first meeting. The team currently consists of the people listed below, and we are anticipating adding some additional members who are un-churched. In mid-october, the Lead Team will attend boot camp training. Rev. Ruhl has engaged the services of a church planting coach who will be instrumental in guiding us through the process of establishing our second campus, and she will be attending the Exponential Church Planting conference in the first week of October. The location of the second campus is still uncertain; the team would appreciate reports of vacancies that may be considered viable options. TEAM MEMBERS Teddy Poore Gail Isaac Matt Bracken Megan Bracken Jack Hillard Jack Jones Sarah Jones Chris Kaelin Patricia Kaelin Jason White Rev. Martina Ockerman Shawnne Carter Chivas Carter Linda Wickstrom Karen Irving Rev. Jill Ruhl Dear Southern Hills Family! Today we received your very generous check [$3,000], and getting it at the beginning of the semester is absolutely perfect! May God continue to bless you and your ministry there! Rev. Ken Southgate EKU Wesley Foundation Director Dear Aldersgate Friends, Thank you for supporting the ministries of Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center. All of us here at Aldersgate appreciate the donation from your church of $4,000 for the ongoing ministries of Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center. You can visit our website for more information and updates about Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center at Dave Cohn Director Dear Southern Hills, Thank you for your generous donation of $4,500, made to the Wesley Foundation at the University of Kentucky. We are grateful for you! Your prayers, service, and financial support provide the resources which make it possible for the Wesley Foundation to advance its mission to connect, develop, and send a new generation of Christian leaders who will make disciples of Jesus Christ and transform the world. I am extremely grateful for Southern Hills UMC and all that you do for our ministry. Last year two students said yes to Jesus and I know God is ready, willing and able to save all students on our campus. This is not a goal that can be achieved without our local churches. Rev. William Herndon Director/Campus Pastor SHERMER PECANS -Place your order now! Get ready for the Holidays! The United Methodist Women are taking orders for pecans on 10/2, 10/9, and 10/16 after the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. service. PLEASE come by the UMW table that will be set up in the Education Building foyer. The price will be $12 per bag. We have a variety of pecans to order: pecan halves, medium pecan pieces, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, cinnamon, and pecan caramel clusters. Pecans will be delivered in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. Payment for the pecans will be at the time of delivery. This is the main UMW fundraiser for 2016, and we greatly appreciate your participation and support. For more information or questions, please contact one of the committee members: Karen Crist ( ); Ruth Midboe ( ); Jolene Ashford ( ; Rhonda Prebeck ( ); or Mary Kenady ( ). Sunday, October 6:00 p.m. Southern Hills Gym Rev. Jill Ruhl will love on and pray a blessing over all fuzzy, furry, feathered friends. Slimy, slithery, slinky subjects are welcome, too, but will be blessed from a distance! Please ensure that your pets are caged or restrained as to avoid chaos! 5

6 FROM THE BUSINESS OFFICE - RICK ARNOLD FINANCIAL CONDITION The bottom line for this month has dipped into the red at a negative $11,000. About half of this can be attributed to our early childhood center, but the other half is directly attributed to the last few weeks of below average tithes and offering, a residual effect from summer. I look forward to the last quarter of the year, which traditionally is one of our strongest. At the end of September, I will be sending out third quarter giving statements to let everyone know. You should receive them by mid October. Current Income / Expense September 21, 2016 Income (in thousands) % Budgeted SHECP 1, Contributions Other Income Total Income 1, Expenses SHECP 1, Capital Property Personnel Administrative Education & Worship Leisure & Outreach Total Expenses 1, Balance (11) UPWARD COACHES AND REFEREES Our 8 TH season of Upward basketball (and 7 th season of cheerleading) will be here before we know it. As always, we are looking for willing volunteers (no expertise required!) to be basketball coaches, cheerleading coaches, assistant coaches, referees, scoreboard operators, and halftime devotion leaders. To emphasize again, you don t have to be an expert in anything to be a part of this ministry. We are also in need of concession stand volunteers to help throughout the games. As our league grows, we need more and more volunteers. If you need training we will be happy to train you! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Brian Cathey at rbcathey@southernhillsumc.org, or call Thanks in advance for all of your help and support. 6

7 Brian Shumard ~ Director of Youth ministry Snapshot: Sundays, October 9, 23 & 30. Join us as we seek to grow closer to God. This month we will look at how there is a crimson cord of redemption woven throughout the Bible and all our own stories. Backpacks for Arlington: Tuesday, October 18 join us to go to Embrace UMC on N. Limestone to pack weekend meals for students at Arlington Elementary. We ll leave from Southern Hills at 5:30pm (or you can meet us there) & be back by 7:15pm. High School Small Group: Join us on Mondays, October 3, 10 & 24 from 6:30-7:45pm as we have a meal together, share about how things are going & do a deep dive into the Bible & tough topics to see how our faith informs us on them. We meet at Maggie s house (4216 Nutmeg Dr. Lexington, KY 40513). Embrace Meal: On Monday, October 17 we will go to Embrace church and help with their community meal. They need help with cooking, serving, & cleaning up. We ll leave from Southern Hills at 5:15pm be back by 8:10pm. Middle School Small Group: Wednesdays, October 12, 19 & 26. We ll meet in the Great Room from 6:30-7:30pm. We ll do a series from your all s ideas! Light The Night: On Halloween our church is doing stations during trick or treat time to pass out candy, hot dogs, drinks & invite people to play some games & make s mores. We have one at a house & one at the church that we need help with. Come dressed up & help us spread some joy on the 31st. Campfire night: Sunday, Oct. 16 for high schoolers or anyone who couldn t make it to the Middle School retreat we ll meet from 5:30-7:30pm at Brian & Janeen s (2351 Tulsa Rd. by church) for some s mores & games. Youth Band: Practice on Wednesdays, October 12, 19 & 26 from 7:30-8:30pm. Middle School Fall Retreat: Friday Oct. 14- Sunday, Oct. 16 for grades 6-8. We'll go to Aldersgate Camp & look at how all heroes have a journey, a story that shape who they are. Cost is $85 per student & scholarships are available. Sign up by October 2. Meet at church on that Friday at 6:00pm & eat before you come. We'll be back at Southern Hills by 2:00pm on that Sunday. High School Fall Retreat: Friday Nov. 11- Sunday, Nov. 13 for grades We'll go to Aldersgate Camp & examine our relationship with Jesus. Are we all in with Him or something less? Cost is $85 per student & scholarships are available. Sign up by October 30. Meet at church on that Friday at 6:00pm & eat before you come. We'll be back at Southern Hills by 2:00pm on that Sunday. The New Life Circle will meet Thursday, October 6th at 5:30 p.m. in the Hazel Finney Reception Room. We ll discuss our final plans for the Wesley Foundation dinner and also complete plans for our donation of curtains for use at Aldersgate Camp. For further information please call Teresa Eikenbary at or Nancy Ratliff at The Meade Shotwell Circle s October meeting will be at Ruth Midboe's home at 7 pm on Monday, October 10th. Watch the bulletin for further information. The Pat Herren Circle will meet on Tuesday, October 11th at 9:30 in the Fireside Room. Lois Dixon will present a study on the Life of John Wesley. Mission food will be peanut butter in plastic jars (no crackers). Everyone is invited! The Sarah Bagby Circle will meet at noon on Wednesday, October 12th in the Fireside Room. Bring your lunch and enjoy the fellowship. Our program which begins at 12:30 p.m. will be Prayer and Self-Denial presented by Pam Bradley, Nancy Beck and Joanne Ricketts. The Faith Susannah Wesley Circle will meet on Wednesday, October 12th at 9:30 a.m. in the Reception Room at the church. Our speaker will be Kristina White, Director of Children s Ministries. 7

8 Southern Hills United Methodist Church Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Lexington, KY Permit No Harrodsburg Road Lexington, KY Return Services Requested Sunday Morning Worship Services Traditional: 9:30 & 11:00 Contemporary: 9:22 Tel: Fax: Web address: shumc.lexington Senior Pastor Dr. William Moore Associate Pastor Rev. Jill Ruhl Director of Music & Worship Rev. Joan Wooden Director of Youth Brian Shumard Director of Children Kristina White Director of Recreation/ Fellowship Brian Cathey Sullivan University Sunday, October 11:00 am Bring your lawn chairs! Bring your friends! Bring your dog! OCTOBER 2016 Scan here with your smartphone QR Code Reader app to go to the Southern Hills website. 8